With rain a contributing factor, TV ratings for the PGA Tour declined once again last week.
Final round coverage of the PGA Tour Houston Open earned a 1.3 final rating and 1.9 million viewers on NBC last Sunday, down 46% in ratings from last year (2.4), and down 46% and 48%, respectively, from 2011 (2.4, 3.7M). Last year’s viewership was not immediately available.
The 1.3 rating is the lowest for final round coverage of the event since at least 1996 (ratings prior to 1997 were not available). Keep in mind Sunday’s play was suspended due to rain and concluded later in the night on The Golf Channel.
Last Saturday’s third round action drew a 1.2 and 1.6 million — down 37% in ratings from last year (1.9), and down 20% and 23%, respectively, from 2011 (1.5, 2.1M).
Of the last 15* PGA Tour telecast windows on broadcast TV, 11 have had declines in ratings compared to last year. Only two of the past 15 telecasts have had increases — third and final round coverage of the WGC-Cadillac Championship from Doral, a tournament won by Tiger Woods.
* Does not include rained out coverage of the Arnold Palmer Invitational on March 31.
(Weekend numbers from Sports Business Daily)
