The PGA Tour is not alone in shedding television viewers, but it is in a steeper slide than most.
Final round coverage of the PGA Tour Quail Hollow Championship earned a 1.4 final rating and 2.1 million viewers on CBS last Sunday afternoon, down 26% in ratings and 27% in viewership from last year (1.9, 2.9M) and the lowest final round rating in the history of the event (dates back to 2003). The previous low was a 1.6 in 2008.
The tournament took place at Eagle Point in Wilmington, N.C. this year, rather than usual host Quail Hollow in Charlotte, as the latter is preparing to host the PGA Championship. It is unlikely the shift in venues would account for a double-digit decline in viewership.
Not counting rain delayed coverage at New Orleans, ratings and viewership have now declined for 13 straight final round windows on broadcast. Ten of those 13 have hit multi-year lows in one or both measures.
Third round action on Saturday had a 0.9 and 1.3 million, down 18% in ratings and 20% in viewership from last year (1.1, 1.6M). The 0.9 is the lowest for any round of the tournament on broadcast television. Including third round windows, 21 straight windows on broadcast have declined.
Lead-in coverage on Golf Channel had a 0.3 (-9%) and 472,000 (-1%) on Saturday and a 0.4 (-33%) and 570,000 (-31%) on Sunday.
(Wknd. numbers via ShowBuzz Daily 5.9)
