With the caveat that last year set a low bar, the PGA Tour returned to broadcast television with big increases last weekend.
Final round coverage of the PGA Tour at Torrey Pines had a 2.0 final rating and 3.1 million viewers on CBS Sunday afternoon, up a third in ratings and 35% in viewership from rain-affected coverage last year (1.5, 2.3M) but down 9% and 4% respectively from 2015 (2.2, 3.2M).
Keep in mind last year was the lowest rated final round of the tournament since at least 1996. Even with the big jump, this year’s 2.0 rating is tied as the third-lowest over that span — matching 2009 and ahead of only last year and 2012 (1.8).
Third round action on Saturday had a 1.2 and 1.9 million, up 20% in ratings and 35% in viewership from last year (1.0, 1.4M) and up 9% and 20% respectively from 2015 (1.1, 1.6M).
Lead-in coverage on Golf Channel had a 0.4 (+56%) and 566,000 (+50%) on Saturday and a 0.5 (+67%) and 809,000 (+62%) on Sunday.
(Wknd. numbers via ShowBuzz Daily 1.31)
