The final weekend was not exactly a blockbuster, but the U.S. Open still delivered a modest increase for ESPN.
The U.S. Open averaged 949,000 viewers across ESPN and ESPN2, up 7% from last year (881K) but down 25% from 2015, when Serena Williams‘ attempt at the calendar year Grand Slam boosted the numbers (1.3M). ESPN televised two low-rated doubles finals this year, compared to one last year and zero in 2015.
Last Saturday’s Sloane Stephens-Madison Keys women’s final had a 1.2 rating and 1.9 million viewers, a figure that includes about an hour of post-match coverage, up 20% in ratings and 26% in viewership from Angelique Kerber-Karolina Pliskova last year (1.0, 1.5M) and up a tick and 16% respectively from Flavia Pennetta-Roberta Vinci in 2015 (1.1, 1.6M). The last time an American played in the final, 2014, Williams’ win over Caroline Wozniacki had a 2.9 and 4.5 million. That match aired on broadcast television (CBS) immediately after NFL coverage.
On Sunday, the Rafael Nadal-Kevin Anderson men’s final had a 0.95 and 1.5 million — down 11% in ratings and viewership from Stan Wawrinka-Novak Djokovic last year and down 48% and 53% respectively from Djokovic-Roger Federer in 2015 (1.8, 3.2M).
The 0.95 rating is the lowest ever for a singles final at the U.S. Open, falling narrowly below the previous mark of 0.98 for last year’s women’s final.
For the second time in three years carrying the full U.S. Open, ESPN’s top audience of the tournament came before the final. Primetime quarterfinal coverage had 2.0 million on September 6.
[Wknd. numbers via ShowBuzz Daily 9.13]
