The PGA Tour entered its final major of the season on a down note.
Final round coverage of the PGA/WGC Bridgestone Invitational earned a 2.4 final rating and 3.5 million viewers on CBS last Sunday, down 4% in ratings and 6% in viewership from last year (2.5, 3.7M) and down 25% in both measures from Tiger Woods‘ victory in 2013 (3.2, 4.6M).
The 2.4 rating is the lowest for final round coverage of the event since coverage aired opposite the Olympics in 2012 (1.3). Excluding Olympic years, Sunday’s final round was the lowest rated and least-watched since 2010 (2.1, 2.9M).
The multi-year low is a stark contrast to the overall trend this season. Entering the Bridgestone Invitational, ratings and viewership had increased for seven straight final round telecasts, with the last decline coming in June for the St. Jude Invitational. Only nine of the 28 tournaments this season have had declines in ratings and/or viewership for final round coverage.
Third round coverage the previous day drew a 1.7 and 2.3 million, actually up a tick in ratings and 5% in viewership from last year (1.6, 2.2M), but down 35% and 37%, respectively, from 2013 (2.6, 3.6M).
(Wknd. numbers via Sports Business Daily)
