It’s a tradition unlike any other. Not just the Masters, but the ratings for the tournament. They’re usually very good and the highest for golf all year. But without Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and the lack of any drama in the final round, CBS’ ratings suffered in 2014.
Sports Media Watch says the two-day average rating for CBS was the lowest dating back to 1957 which is when Nielsen began measuring viewership for the event. And Saturday’s third round coverage generated a 3.9 rating which was down a whopping 33% from last year’s 5.8. Saturday’s number was the lowest for the Masters on CBS since 1957’s 1.2 rating.
Sunday’s ratings fared better averaging a 6.8 number, but as Bubba Watson ran away with the tournament, it still finished down from last year’s 9.4 off 28%. It was the lowest-rated final round since 1980 which had a 6.7.
ESPN’s ratings for the first two rounds were also down significantly from the previous year.
CBS has to hope to have Tiger and Phil back next year as well as some compelling drama to bring viewers back to the annual Augusta broadcasts.
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About Ken Fang
Ken has been covering the sports media in earnest at his own site, Fang's Bites since May 2007 and at Awful Announcing since March 2013.
He provides a unique perspective having been an award-winning radio news reporter in Providence and having worked in local television.
Fang celebrates the four Boston Red Sox World Championships in the 21st Century, but continues to be a long-suffering Cleveland Browns fan.