Facing NFL competition for the first time, the final round of the Masters plunged to new lows in ratings and viewership.
Sunday’s final round of the Masters averaged a 3.4 rating and 5.59 million viewers on CBS, marking the lowest rated Sunday at Augusta since 1957* (3.0) and the least-watched on record (viewership records date back to 1995). The previous lows were considerably higher: a 6.7 in 1980 and 11.05 million in 2017.
The telecast, delayed seven months from its original April date, aired in a special early morning timeslot and overlapped with competing NFL games on FOX. It should be noted that the first hour of coverage was not included in the numbers.
Dustin Johnson’s win sank 51% in ratings and 48% in viewership from Tiger Woods’ iconic win last year, which aired in an even earlier timeslot (9 AM rather than 10), but on the tournament’s usual April weekend (6.9, 10.81M). Compared to 2018, the last time the final round aired in its usual late afternoon window, ratings and viewership fell 57% from a 7.9 and 13.03 million.
The steep declines and record-lows are in keeping with the overall trend for sports on television since the wave of cancellations and postponements in March. The NBA Finals (7.49M) and World Series (9.79M) both set all-time record lows in viewership, declining 49 and 30 percent respectively from last year. Stanley Cup Final viewership plunged 61% to a 13-year low (2.15M). All three Triple Crown horse races hit lows, with each down at least 32%.
Golf’s previous major, the U.S. Open in September, also set record-lows — with final round ratings plunging 55% to a 2.0 and viewership 56% to 3.21 million. Like the Masters, the U.S. Open also faced NFL competition for the first time.
Despite the declines, the Masters still delivered golf’s highest rating and viewership of 2020. It edged the final round of the PGA Championship, which posted a 3.3 and 5.15 million in August. It should be noted that ratings for the PGA Championship were flat and viewership increased 3% over last year, with the caveat that the tournament’s postponement from May to August merely returned it to what had been its usual spot on the calendar (and there was no NFL competition).
On Saturday, third round coverage of the Masters averaged a 3.05 and 4.99 million — down 45% in ratings and 42% in viewership from last year (5.5, 8.73M) and down 42% and 39% respectively from 2018 (5.3, 8.14M). It was the lowest rated Saturday at the tournament since 1957 (1.2), but ranked third among golf telecasts in 2020.
Friday’s second round averaged a 1.8 and 2.74 million on ESPN, down 22% in ratings and 14% in viewership from last year (2.3, 3.20M), down 31% and 30% respectively from 2018 (2.6, 3.90M) and the least-watched since 2017 (2.60M).
ESPN also averaged a 0.55 and 767,000 for the conclusion of the first round on Friday morning and a 0.95 and 1.45 million for the conclusion of the second round on Saturday morning. ESPN’s College Gameday, which took place from the site of the Masters, averaged a season-high 1.71 million immediately following Saturday’s bonus coverage.
* CBS aired just one hour of Sunday coverage in 1957. Even though the tournament concluded as scheduled on Sunday, the network aired a Monday window that averaged a higher rating (4.8).
Masters ratings, viewership, past 25 years
[Nielsen estimates from ShowBuzz Daily 11.17]
