U.S. Open viewership slipped from last year, but was the highest for an East Coast edition of the tournament since 2013.
Final round coverage of the U.S. Open from Brookline, Mass., averaged a 2.9 rating and 5.27 million viewers on NBC (5.41 million including additional streaming data not tracked by Nielsen), down 8% in ratings and 9% in viewership from last year at Torrey Pines, a West Coast locale that allowed for greater primetime coverage (3.2, 5.8M). Compared to the previous East Coast edition two years ago — which aired months out of season on an NFL Sunday in September — ratings rose 46% (from 2.0) and viewership 64% (from 3.2M).
Matt Fitzpatrick’s win, which peaked with 9.2 million viewers from 6:30-6:45 PM ET, ranks as the most-watched final round of an East Coast U.S. Open since 2013 (8.39M).
Not counting the months-delayed tournament two years ago, the 2.9 rating is the lowest for any final round of the tournament dating back to 1988 — but the 12 share was the highest since 2013. Keep in mind that as television viewing declines, sporting events will make up a larger proportion of the shrinking audience.
Sunday’s telecast delivered the fourth-largest golf audience of the year behind the third and final rounds of the Masters and narrowly behind the final round of the PGA Championship (5.273M to 5.265M). The PGA Championship has outdrawn the U.S. Open in three-straight years and four of the past five.
Host market Boston led all markets with a 5.3 rating and 19 share, followed by West Palm Beach, Fla., at a 4.9/17. Jacksonville (4.2/15), Minneapolis-St. Paul (4.1/19) and Boston-adjacent Providence (4.1/14) rounded out the top five.
Third round action on Saturday pulled a 2.1 and 3.49 million (3.6M including additional streaming data), on par with last year (2.1, 3.35M*). (* Asterisk indicates figure is subject to revision due to Nielsen undercount of out-of-home viewing.)
NBC also drew a 1.2 and 1.84 million for first round coverage on Thursday afternoon and a 1.5 and 2.16 million for second round action on Friday. Last year’s early windows aired in primetime.
Shifting to cable, USA Network topped out at a 0.75 and 1.06 million for its Friday coverage. Golf Channel scored better numbers last year, but its windows aired later in the day.
[Nielsen estimates from ShowBuzz Daily 6.21, league and network PR]
