The U.S. Women’s Open finished with a six-year high on NBC last weekend.
NBC’s coverage the U.S. Women’s Open was the highest rated and most-watched since 2008. Sunday’s final round coverage earned a 1.4 final rating and 2.0 million viewers, up 100% in ratings and 106% in viewership from last year (0.7, 971K), and tied as the weekend’s top non-World Cup sporting event on broadcast television.
Third round coverage last Saturday drew a 1.0 and 1.4 million, up 67% and 87%, respectively, from last year (0.6, 748K). Both telecasts outdrew third and final round coverage of the PGA Tour Travelers Championship on CBS.
ESPN2 also had big increases for its coverage, with first and second round action rising by 100% in ratings and 118% in viewership. This year’s numbers were no doubt lifted by the presence of Michelle Wie, who won her first major tournament.
The U.S. Women’s Open marked a reversal of fortune for the USGA. Final round coverage of the men’s U.S. Open the previous week drew a 3.0 and 4.6 million on NBC — much larger than the women’s tournament, but the lowest rated and least-viewed final round on record.
(Wknd. numbers from Sports Business Daily, additional information from NBC Sports)
