The PGA Tour FedEx Cup got off to a rough start in the metered markets.
Final round coverage of The Barclays, the first leg of the PGA Tour FedEx Cup, had a 1.9 overnight rating on CBS Sunday — down 24% from last year (2.5) and down 17% from 2014 (2.3). The 1.9 is the lowest for final round coverage of the tournament since 2008, when it aired opposite the Olympics (1.8).
Going back further, the 1.8 is the third-lowest for final round coverage in at least 20 years, ahead of only 2008 and 2005 (1.4).
On Saturday, third round action pulled a 1.5 overnight — down 25% from last year (2.0), down 12% from 2014 (1.7), and also the lowest since 2008 (1.1).
Dating back to the U.S. Open, 18 of the past 20 PGA Tour windows on broadcast television have declined in the metered markets (excludes rainouts). The lone exceptions are third and final round coverage of the British Open, which benefited from a move from cable to broadcast. Nine of the past ten final round windows have declined from last year, and each of the past six have fallen double-digits to a multi-year low.
(Wknd. overnights via Sports Business Daily)
