The U.S. Women’s Open got off to a weaker start in the overnights.
First round coverage of the U.S. Women’s Open drew a 0.1 overnight rating on Fox Sports 1 Thursday night, down 75% from last year (0.4) and down a tick from 2013 (0.2), both of which aired on ESPN2. The 0.1 is tied with 2011 as the lowest for opening round coverage since at least 2005.
Keep in mind FS1 aired five hours of coverage, the most for the opening round over that span. ESPN2 aired four hours last year. The 2 PM ET start time was the earliest for the first round in six years.
It should be noted that last year’s U.S. Women’s Open had across-the-board gains in overnights on ESPN and NBC, likely boosted by Michelle Wie‘s fast start and eventual victory.
(Nielsen)
