The PGA Championship highlights this weekend’s ratings forecast. Also on tap, the NFL preseason, Red Sox-Yankees, NASCAR and the return of the Premier League.
First, the Results of the Previous Predictions
— British Open, 3rd and Final Rounds. Predictions: 2.5 and 3.5; ratings: 2.1 and 3.2.
— NASCAR Cup Series: Brickyard. Prediction: 3.3; rating: 3.4.
— WNBA All-Star Game. Prediction: 0.3; rating: 0.4.
— CONCACAF Gold Cup Semifinal: U.S.-Costa Rica (FS1). Prediction: 0.7; rating: 0.6.
— Tour de France: Stage 21. Prediction: 0.3; rating: 0.3.
This Week’s Predictions (All Times Eastern)
PGA Championship, Third and Final Rounds (2 PM Sat & Sun, CBS)
- In the post-Tiger Woods era, golf’s best bet for big ratings are Jordan Spieth and, to a lesser extent, Phil Mickelson. Heading into the weekend at the PGA Championship, Spieth is tied for 46th and 11 shots off the lead and Mickelson is already done. Jason Day is in contention, but his presence is unlikely to move the needle in any real way. Last year’s final round posted a 3.4 rating, tying the worst mark since at least 1981. Barring a Spieth surge, look for even lower numbers this time around. Predictions: 2.2 and 3.2.
NFL Preseason: Cowboys-Rams (9 PM Sat, NFL Network)
- With the Cowboys and Rams both in the news Friday, for vastly different reasons, it seems likely that there will be more attention than usual on their nationally televised matchup Saturday. While ratings are virtually guaranteed to fall well short of the same matchup in a similar window last year — which had a 2.0 rating on ESPN — expect strong numbers by NFL Network standards. Prediction: 1.3.
MLB Sunday Night Baseball: Red Sox-Yankees (8 PM Sun, ESPN)
- The Red Sox-Yankees rivalry has been slowly regaining its relevance over the past few years, particularly this season, with the teams battling for position atop of the A.L. East. The rivals’ previous Sunday Night Baseball matchup had a 1.6 rating, their highest rated Sunday night game since 2014. Expect similarly strong numbers this week, though NFL preseason competition will likely keep the numbers lower. Prediction: 1.5.
NASCAR Cup Series: Michigan (3 PM Sun, NBCSN)
- NASCAR ratings have increased just once this season, and that was due to a move from cable (NBCSN) to broadcast (NBC). There is no reason to believe that will change this week. Last year’s Michigan race aired later in the month and had a 2.1 rating. Prediction: 2.0.
Premier League: Manchester United-West Ham (11 AM Sun, NBCSN)
- The Premier League is back after a short offseason. While the final match of week one features the always popular Manchester United, it will be hard pressed to match last year’s high bar — a 0.5 rating for Arsenal-Liverpool. Prediction: 0.4.
