Golf ratings continue to rise above last year’s levels.
NBC earned a 1.9 final rating and 2.814 million viewers for final round coverage of the Arnold Palmer Invitational March 27, up 27% in ratings and 35% in viewership from last year (1.5, 2.078M).
Meanwhile, third round action on March 26 drew a 1.8 and 2.462 million viewers, up 38% and 37%, respectively, from last year (1.3, 1.797M).
The telecasts continued the overall trend of increased ratings for golf this season. Through March, ratings have improved for 11 of the 14 golf telecasts that can be compared to last year.
Keep in mind that excludes the Phoenix Open (last year’s tournament did not air on broadcast) and the Northern Trust Open (ratings for this year’s tournament are not available).
The good times continued this past weekend, as final round coverage of the Shell Houston Open drew a 2.8 overnight on NBC, up 33% from last year.
Ratings/Viewership For Golf Telecasts on Broadcast This Season
| Dates | Net | Tournament | Round | Rating | Viewers (000) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat., 1/29/11 | CBS | Farmers Insurance Open | Third |
2.0
|
3,037
|
| Sun., 1/30/11 | Final |
3.5
|
5,307
|
||
| Sat., 2/5/11 | CBS | Phoenix Open | Third |
1.7
|
2,449
|
| Sun., 2/6/11 | Final |
1.8
|
2,699
|
||
| Sat., 2/12/11 | CBS | Pebble Beach National Pro-Am | Third |
1.6
|
2,264
|
| Sat., 2/13/11 | Final |
2.3
|
3,437
|
||
| Sat., 2/19/11 | CBS | Northern Trust Open | Third |
—
|
—
|
| Sun., 2/20/11 | Final |
—
|
3,533
|
||
| Sat., 2/26/11 | NBC | Accenture Match Play Championship | Third |
1.7
|
2,440
|
| Sun., 2/27/11 | Final |
1.7
|
2,559
|
||
| Sat., 3/5/11 | NBC | Honda Classic | Third |
1.5
|
2,114
|
| Sun., 3/6/11 | Final |
1.7
|
2,502
|
||
| Sat., 3/12/11 | NBC | Cadillac Championship | Third |
1.4
|
2,025
|
| Sun., 3/13/11 | Final |
2.3
|
3,316
|
||
| Sat., 3/19/11 | NBC | Transitions Championship | Third |
1.0
|
1,374
|
| Sun., 3/20/11 | Final |
1.4
|
1,945
|
||
| Sat., 3/26/11 | NBC | Arnold Palmer Invitational | Third |
1.8
|
2,462
|
| Sun., 3/27/11 | Final |
1.9
|
2,814
|
(Media Life Magazine; Shell Houston Open overnight from USA Today)
