Penguins-Islanders got off to a strong start; the Texas Open tied a ratings high; the Augusta National Women’s Amateur outperformed LPGA majors.
Pens-Isles opens playoffs on high note
Wednesday’s Penguins-Islanders first round Stanley Cup playoff Game 1 earned a 0.44 rating and 717,000 viewers on NBCSN, up 16% in ratings and 13% in viewership from last year (Flyers-Penguins: 0.38, 632K), and up 63% and 61% respectively from 2017 (Rangers-Canadiens: 0.27, 445K).
The Islanders’ overtime win had an audience of 758,000 with streaming included, the largest for an opening night playoff game since 2012 (Flyers-Penguins: 844K).
Later in the night, Golden Knights-Sharks Game 1 had a 0.24 (-27%) and 401,000 (-23%). On USA Network, Blue Jackets-Lightning drew a 0.31 and 475,000 — up 103% in viewership from Wild-Jets on CNBC last year (234K) — and Stars-Predators a 0.23 and 326,000. As NHL Network is not Nielsen rated, no data was recorded for Blues-Jets.
Texas Open ties highest rating since move to spring
Final round coverage of the PGA Tour Texas Open scored a 1.8 rating and 2.73 million viewers on NBC last Sunday, up 20% in ratings and viewership from last year (1.5, 2.27M) and up 38% and 36% respectively from 2017 (1.3, 2.00M), both of which aired on CBS. The 1.8 rating is tied as the highest for any round of the tournament since it moved to the spring a decade ago, matching 2013.
Third round action the previous day had a 1.2 (+9%) and 1.66 million (+4%). Lead-in coverage on Golf Channel drew a 0.33 (flat) and 457,000 (-5%) on Saturday and 645,000 viewers (+8%) on Sunday.
ANWA earns largest women’s golf audience since 2016
Last Saturday’s final round of the inaugural Augusta National Women’s Amateur delivered a 0.9 rating and 1.19 million viewers on NBC, marking the most-watched women’s golf telecast in three years — since the final round of the 2016 US Women’s Open on FOX (1.3M). It was also the most-watched amateur golf telecast, regardless of gender, since 2005.
Compared to the most recent LPGA majors, the ANWA beat the final rounds of last year’s Women’s British Open by 24% (964K), last year’s US Women’s Open by 36% (878K), last year’s Women’s PGA Championship by 89% (630K), last year’s Evian Masters by 170% (442K) and Sunday’s ANA Inspiration by 515% (194K).
The ANA Inspiration, which aired on Golf Channel, was down 56% from last year (437K) and 65% from 2017 (551K).
[Numbers from Nielsen via ShowBuzz Daily 4.9; Programming Insider 4.11]
