The first West Coast US Open in four years continues to deliver multi-year viewership highs.
Saturday’s third round of the US Open earned 4.24 million viewers on FOX, per Nielsen fast-nationals — up 12% from last year (3.78M) and up 28% from 2017 (3.32M). Ratings were not immediately available.
The telecast, which peaked with 5.57 million from 5:45-6 PM ET, delivered the tournament’s largest third round audience since 2013 on NBC. This year marked the first time since that 2013 tournament that Tiger Woods made the cut (5.36M).
Versus the previous West Coast US Open — at Chambers Bay in 2015 — viewership increased 1% from 4.20 million. Versus the previous US Open at Pebble Beach, 2010, viewership fell 25% from 5.62 million.
Friday’s second round averaged 2.10 million across FOX and FS1, up 34% from last year (1.56M) and up 43% from 2017 (1.47M), and the tournament’s largest second round audience since 2012 on NBC (2.91M).
In particular, FOX earned 2.91 million for its primetime coverage — the largest second round audience on a broadcast network since 2012. Keep in mind that prior to FOX acquiring rights, first and second round coverage on broadcast was limited to the afternoon hours.
FS1 had 1.74 million for its afternoon coverage (+34%), the largest audience for second round coverage on cable since 2013.
As previously noted, Thursday’s opening round coverage was the most-watched in at least a decade. The first two rounds averaged 2.04 million (+38%), the highest average since 2012 (2.39M).
