Ryder Cup viewership sank from four years ago, but was the second-best for the event since 2002.
The final day of the Ryder Cup had a 2.7 rating and 4.3 million viewers on NBC Sunday afternoon, per Nielsen fast-nationals — down 29% in ratings and 22% in viewership from 2012 (3.8, 5.5M) and down 7% but up 2%, respectively, from 2008 (2.9, 4.2M), the last two times the United States hosted the event.
Compared to the 2014 Ryder Cup, which was held in Europe, ratings increased 69% and viewership 95% from a 1.6 and 2.2 million.
The United States’ win, which peaked at 6.4 million viewers from 5-5:15 PM ET, trails only 2012 as the most-watched Ryder Cup Sunday since 2002 (5.0M). On the other hand, it also ranks as the lowest rated Sunday of a U.S.-based Ryder Cup since at least 1995.
For the season, Sunday’s 2.7 rating ranks sixth among final round telecasts behind the four majors, the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am (3.2) and the Players Championship (2.8). In viewership, the Ryder Cup ranked fifth behind the majors and Pebble Beach (4.9), but slightly ahead of the Players (4.2M).
Fast-nationals for Saturday’s coverage were not immediately available. That telecast had a 2.7 overnight rating, down 16% from 2012 (3.2) and down a tick from 2008 (2.8). Compared to 2014, overnights jumped 59% from a 1.7. The 2.7 is the lowest for the Saturday of a U.S.-based Ryder Cup since NBC acquired rights.
(Wknd. numbers from NBC Sports, Sports Business Daily 10/3)
