US Open ratings increased for a second straight day.
Friday’s second round of the U.S. Open averaged 1.57 million viewers across Fox Sports, per Nielsen fast-nationals — up 7% from last year (1.47M) and the highest average since 2015. That includes an average of 34,000 on Fox Sports’ digital platforms (+30%).
In particular, FOX earned a 1.5 rating and 2.09 million viewership for its three-hour window — up 15% in ratings and 9% in viewership from last year (1.3, 1.92M) but flat and down 11% respectively from 2016 (1.5, 2.15M).
FS1 scored 1.30 million for its coverage, up 5% from last year (1.24M) and up 30% from 2016 (999K).
Friday was the second straight day that U.S. Open viewership hit a three-year high. Thursday’s opening round was also the most-watched since 2015. Not coincidentally, this year marked Tiger Woods‘ first appearance in the tournament since 2015.
The first two rounds have averaged 1.51 million across all Fox platforms, up 13% from last year (1.33M).
The good times were not likely to continue into the weekend. Woods — and fellow stars Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy and Jason Day — failed to make the cut. Phil Mickelson was the only star left entering the weekend.
[Numbers from Fox Sports 6.16]
