The Players Championship got off to a much better start on Golf Channel. In other news, ESPN earned its top SportsCenter audience since January after last week’s Floyd Mayweather/Manny Pacquiao fight, and NASCAR’s Xfinity Series had gains at Talladega.
Players Championship Opens With Big Increase
- First round coverage of the PGA Tour Players Championship earned 858,000 viewers on Golf Channel Thursday afternoon, up 63% from last year (527K) but down 50% from a record-setting performance in 2013 (1.7M). The telecast ranks as the year’s most-watched weekday program on Golf Channel. (via Sports TV Ratings)
Mayweather/Pacquiao Boosts SportsCenter to Best Audience Since January
- ESPN earned a 1.3 final rating and 2.0 million viewers for a post-fight edition of SportsCenter after last Saturday’s Floyd Mayweather/Manny Pacquiao boxing fight, the network’s largest audience for the show since January 25 — when it aired directly after the Pro Bowl (2.1M). The telecast edged the post-Super Bowl edition on February 1 (1.983M to 1.980M). A later edition of SportsCenter, which began at 3:30 AM ET, earned a 0.9 and 1.3 million. (via Awful Announcing)
Xfinity Series From Talladega Up on FOX
- NASCAR Xfinity Series racing from Talladega drew a 1.6 final rating and 2.4 million viewers on FOX last Saturday, up 14% in ratings and viewership from last year on ESPN (1.4, 2.1M) and up 14% and 5%, respectively, from rain delayed coverage on ESPN in 2013 (1.4, 2.3M). The 1.6 rating is tied as the second-highest of the season for the Xfinity Series, matching the Phoenix race on FOX and trailing only Daytona on Fox Sports 1 (1.7). (via Sports Business Daily)
