With golf ratings on the rise this season, Golf Channel has set viewership records. Also on tap, ratings for the LPGA, Miami Open tennis and NCAA Frozen Four.
Golf Channel Setting Records
Golf Channel averaged 155,000 viewers per day during the month of March, up 34% from last year and its most-watched month ever (dates back to 2006). For the full first quarter of 2018, it averaged 133,000 viewers — up 22% from last year and its most-watched quarter ever. As previously noted, Golf Channel’s live PGA Tour coverage has increased 41% this season.
LPGA’s First Major Down Double-Digits
Last Sunday’s final round of the LPGA ANA Inspiration (formerly the Dinah Shore Classic) had a 0.29 rating and 437,000 viewers on Golf Channel, down 17% in ratings and 21% in viewership from last year (0.35, 551K) but up 32% and 29% respectively from 2016 (0.22, 338K).
Miami Open Finals Mixed
ESPN2 scored a 0.25 rating and 368,000 viewers for last Sunday’s John Isner–Alexander Zverev Miami Open men’s final, down 26% in ratings and viewership from last year (0.34, 495K) and flat and up 1% respectively from 2016 (0.25, 364K).
The previous day’s Sloane Stephens–Jelena Ostapenko women’s final drew a 0.26 (+8%) and 356,000 (+6%).
Big Jump For Frozen Four Semis
Thursday’s Notre Dame-Michigan NCAA men’s hockey semifinal had 329,000 viewers on ESPN2, up 112% from last year (Denver-Notre Dame: 129K) but down 9% from 2016 (Denver-North Dakota: 361K). Earlier in the night, Minnesota (Duluth)-Ohio State had 225,000 (+26%).
