Nielsens: NASCAR Ratings, PGA, Local Sports

If the early Speedweeks numbers are any indication, do not expect a bounce back in NASCAR ratings yet. In other news, Tiger Woods sent PGA L.A. viewership soaring on Thursday, and Dwyane Wade‘s return has given Miami Heat ratings a local boost.

NASCAR Ratings: Daytona Duel Hits Low

Thursday’s NASCAR Duel at Daytona earned a 1.1 rating and 1.98 million viewers on FS1, down 27% in ratings and 21% in viewership from last year (1.5, 2.5M) and down 31% and 22% respectively from 2016 (1.6, 2.5M). It was the lowest rated Daytona Duel since at least 2010 and the least-watched since 2013 (1.97M).

Versus 2014, the last time coverage faced the Winter Olympics, ratings fell 42% from a 1.9 and viewership 36% from 3.1 million.

Despite the lower numbers, the telecast comfortably topped competing NBA coverage on TNT (Lakers-T’Wolves: 0.9, 1.3M). Keep in mind the NBA came out ahead in adults 18-49 (0.54 to 0.40) and 18-34 (0.55 to 0.25).

The Tiger Effect: PGA L.A. Open Up Big Thursday

Thursday’s opening round of the PGA Los Angeles Open had 642,000 viewers on Golf Channel, up 40% from last year (460K), up 91% from 2016 (337K), and the tournament’s largest first round audience since at least 2012. Tiger Woods played in the event for the first time since 2005.

Local Sports Ratings: Wade Boosts Heat, Preds Up Big

Since Dwyane Wade was traded back to the Miami Heat on February 8, the team’s games have averaged a 4.7 rating on Sun Sports — up 74% over the season average. His first game back against Milwaukee February 9 had a 6.9 rating, the highest for a Heat game since a 2016 game against Golden State.

Elsewhere, Nashville Predators NHL games have averaged a 1.9 local rating on Fox Sports Southwest this season, up 142% from last year.

[Numbers via Programming Insider 2.16, ShowBuzz Daily 2.16, FoxSportsHeat/Twitter 2.12, 2.15; Sports Business Daily 2.16]