From Sports Media Watch – PGA Tour ratings hit a rare speedbump during the RBC Canadian Open, thanks to some inclement weather.
Sunday’s final round of the PGA Tour RBC Canadian Open earned a 1.4 rating and 2.07 million viewers on CBS, down 7% in ratings and 8% in viewership from last year (1.5, 2.24M) and flat and down 3% respectively from 2016 (1.4, 2.14M).
CBS coverage included a two-hour weather delay that pushed the conclusion to Golf Channel and streaming outlets in the Eastern and Central time zones. Golf Channel’s bonus coverage delivered a 0.5 and 804,000.
Keeping that caveat in mind, Dustin Johnson‘s win delivered the event’s smallest final round audience since at least 2012.
The multi-year low is a rarity in what has been a Tiger Woods-fueled resurgence for the PGA Tour. Of the 56 PGA Tour windows on broadcast television this year, it was just the tenth to hit a low in ratings and/or viewership.
Third round coverage the previous day was considerably stronger compared to previous years. The telecast had a 1.3 rating and 1.86 million viewers, up 30% in ratings and 28% in viewership from last year (1.0, 1.45M) and up 18% and 21% respectively from 2016 (1.1, 1.54M). It was the tournament’s largest third round audience since at least 2012.
Lead-in coverage on Golf Channel drew a 0.31 (+15%) and 453,000 (+12%) on Saturday and a 0.39 (+11%) and 550,000 (+10%) on Sunday.
