Back on broadcast television for the first time in seven years, the British Open delivered its top overnight in nine.
Final round coverage of the British Open earned a 3.9 overnight rating on NBC Sunday, up 50% from both last year and 2014, when coverage aired on ESPN (2.6). Keep in mind last year’s final round took place on a Monday. Figures do not include early morning coverage from 7-9 AM ET.
Sunday’s telecast, which peaked at a 5.5 from 1-1:30 PM ET, tied 2009 as the highest rated British Open telecast in the metered markets since 2007 (4.1). In six years airing exclusively on ESPN (2010-15), overnights did not exceed a 3.6.
For the first time on record — dating back to 1988 — the British Open earned a higher final round overnight than the U.S. Open in the same year (3.8). While the U.S. Open telecast lasted two hours longer, it also aired in a more advantageous afternoon timeslot.
For the season, only the third and final rounds of The Masters delivered a higher overnight (5.7 and 8.5, respectively).
(Sun. numbers from NBC Sports)
