Additional sports TV ratings news, including the Tour de France, the PGA RBC Canadian Open and the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Germany.
- Versus averaged 456,000 viewers for the 2010 Tour de France, down 14% from last year (530,000), but up 70% from 2008 (268,000). This year’s Tour de France also topped 2007 (343,000) and 2006 (310,000). The network’s top audience was 724,000 viewers for Stage 8 on July 11, down slightly from last year’s peak audience of 792,000. To put the numbers in perspective, Versus averaged 428,000 viewers for its first five IndyCar races this season. (Sports Business Daily)
- Final round coverage of the RBC Canadian Open drew a 1.2 final rating and 1.692 million viewers on CBS Sunday, down 14% in ratings and viewership from 2008 (1.4, 1.972 mil) and down 29% and 24%, respectively, from 2007 (1.7, 2.231 mil). Meanwhile, Saturday’s third round action drew a 0.8 and 1.098 million viewers, down a tick in ratings and 3% in viewership from 2008 (0.9, 1.127 mil) and down 27% and 20%, respectively, from 2007 (1.1, 1.369 mil). Last year, Saturday and Sunday coverage was rained out. (Sports Business Daily)
- Taped coverage of the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Germany drew a 0.6 final rating and 802,000 viewers on FOX, up a tick in ratings but down 4% in viewership from the Hungarian Grand Prix on the comparable date last year (0.5, 832,000). This marks the least-viewed Formula 1 race of the season on FOX. (Sports Business Daily)
