The BIG3 generated its largest audience yet, albeit one quite low by broadcast TV standards. In other action, viewership sank for an LPGA major, the Yankees hit a high on YES Network, and NASCAR’s Xfinity Series scored a rare increase.
BIG3 Hits High, But Nears Broadcast TV Low
Though strong by BIG3 standards, the numbers were among the lowest ever for sports on primetime broadcast television. FOX had a 0.5 rating for an International Champions Cup soccer match in 2013 (Real Madrid-Everton) and 859,000 viewers for a Copa America match in 2016 (Chile-Bolivia). The all-time lows for a “Big Four” sporting event in primetime are 0.7 and 1.0 million for a 2016 Rays-Yankees MLB game on FOX.
For the night, the BIG3 was the lowest rated program on the “Big Four” broadcast networks in adults 18-49 — trailing the likes of “Quantico” on ABC and “Blue Bloods” on CBS.
Women’s PGA Championship Falls to Low
Coverage faced direct competition from both the World Cup and a PGA Tour event in which Tiger Woods finished in the top five.
Third round action had a 0.40 (-23%) and 557,000 (-24%).
YES Scores Top Non-Sox Yankees Rating Since ’14
NASCAR Xfinity Up at Chicagoland
It was the second-straight Xfinity Series to increase after the first 11 declined.
In other racing action, the Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix had a 0.29 and 424,000 on ESPN2 Sunday morning — up 26% in ratings and 35% in viewership from last year on CNBC (0.23, 330K).
[Numbers from Programming Insider 7.3, ShowBuzz Daily 7.3, YES Network]
