PGA Tour viewership increased double-digits on CBS during the 2020 season, including a jump of nearly a quarter since play resumed in June. Plus: the Women’s British Open hit a viewership low, ESPN’s latest UFC main event was less of a draw, and more.
PGA Tour season up double-digits on CBS
CBS averaged 2.50 million viewers for coverage of the PGA Tour season, up 17% from last year. That includes a 22% jump for tournaments since the season resumed in June (to 2.38M).
Last week’s Northern Trust — the first event of the FedEx Cup playoffs — was an exception to the rule. Final round coverage averaged a 1.5 (-12%) and 2.28 million (-10%) on CBS, marking the tournament’s lowest Sunday rating since 2005 (1.3). Third round action averaged a 1.4 (flat) and 1.95 million (-1%).
The telecasts marked just the fifth and sixth declines on CBS since the restart of play (22 total telecasts).
Lead-in coverage on Golf Channel averaged a 0.6 (+24%) and 897,000 (+27%) on Saturday and a 0.6 (+24%) and 883,000 (+30%) on Sunday.
Women’s British Open hits four-year low on NBC
Final round coverage of the Women’s British Open averaged a 0.6 rating and 886,000 viewers on NBC last Sunday, down 25% in ratings and viewership from last year (0.85, 1.19M) and the least-watched final round on broadcast since 2016 (858K).
Lead-in coverage on Golf Channel averaged a 0.16 and 245,000.
On Saturday, third round action averaged a 0.40 (-26%) and 526,000 (-25%) on NBC and a 0.15 and 209,000 on Golf Channel.
ESPN sees fewer viewers for first UFC main event in a month
Airing immediately after an NBA playoff game, last Saturday’s UFC main event on ESPN averaged a 0.54 rating and 869,000 viewers — down 10% in ratings and 4% in viewership from the network’s previous main event last month (0.60, 908K).
Compared to UFC 252 prelims the previous weekend, ratings increased 10% (from 0.49) and viewership 5% (from 831K).
The UFC outdrew competing Premier Boxing Champions coverage on FOX (0.52, 810K).
Plus: MLS, WNBA, NASCAR Xfinity, Tennis
Last Saturday’s LAFC-LA Galaxy MLS match averaged a 0.23 rating and 376,000 viewers, down from the network’s previous window, Atlanta-NY Red Bulls during the MLS is Back Tournament (587K). … ABC averaged a 0.27 and 384,000 for last Saturday’s Storm-Aces WNBA game, its least-watched WNBA telecast in at least nine years. … The NASCAR Xfinity Series at Dover averaged a 0.55 and 827,000 on NBCSN last Saturday and a 0.52 and 807,000 last Sunday. Last year’s lone race at the track averaged a 0.6 and 924,000. … Coverage of tennis’ Western & Southern Open featuring Serena Williams’ round of 16 defeat averaged 253,000 on ESPN Tuesday night.
[Nielsen estimates from ShowBuzz Daily 8.26, 8.28, CBS Sports PR/Twitter 8.25]
