After hitting a low point last year, overnight ratings rebounded for the U.S. Women’s Open.
Final round coverage of the U.S. Women’s Open earned a 1.0 overnight rating on FOX Sunday afternoon, up 43% from last year (0.7) but down 41% from 2014 on NBC (1.7). The 1.0 trails only 2014 as the tournament’s highest final round overnight since 2010 (1.1).*
Keep in mind coverage lasted 75 minutes into primetime and did not have to compete with the PGA Tour on CBS.
Sunday’s telecast marked a turnaround from the previous three rounds. Saturday’s third round action scored a 0.6 overnight, the same as last year, down 50% from 2014 (1.2) and tied as the lowest for third round coverage in at least 20 years.
Friday’s second round had 216,000 viewers, down 9% from last year (238K) and down 61% from 2014 on ESPN2 (559K). As previously reported, opening round coverage was the least-watched on record (excluding rainouts) with 175,000.
* Does not include primetime bonus coverage in 2011, which earned a 1.3 overnight.
(Wknd. numbers via Sports Business Daily, with additional info from Sports TV Ratings)
