Ratings for the Bridgestone Invitational were the lowest in four years and second-lowest in at least 18.
Final round coverage of the PGA Tour-WGC Bridgestone Invitational earned a 1.9 final rating and 2.8 million viewers on CBS last Sunday afternoon, down 21% in ratings and 18% in viewership from last year (2.4, 3.5M) and down 24% and 23%, respectively, from 2014 (2.5, 3.7M). This year’s tournament moved up several weeks from its usual August date to accommodate golf’s return to the Olympics.
Compared to The Greenbrier Classic on Independence Day weekend last year, ratings and viewership each declined 5% from a 2.0 and 3.0 million.
Sunday’s 1.9 rating is the lowest for the final round of the Bridgestone Invitational since 2012 (1.3), when coverage aired opposite the Olympics, and the second-lowest since at least 1998. No other telecast over that span dipped below the 2.0 mark.
Third round action last Saturday drew a 1.3 and 1.9 million, down 24% in ratings and 19% in viewership from last year (1.7, 2.3M) and down 19% and 15%, respectively, from 2014 (1.6, 2.2M). The 1.3 is the second-lowest for third round coverage since at least ’98, ahead of only 2012 (0.9).
Excluding rainouts, 19 of the past 29 PGA Tour windows on broadcast have posted a decline in ratings and/or viewership.
(Wknd. numbers via Sports Business Daily)
