Jul

20

Watson’s Run Helps ABC & PGA.com Reach Ratings Respectability

July 20, 2009 | by Keith | Categories Television | Comments Off

When Tiger Woods failed to make the cut in last week’s British Open it was felt that ABC would suffer another ratings disappointment.  Woods sat out last year’s Open after undergoing knee surgery.

Enter Tom Watson.

The incredible run of the 59 year-old Watson attempting to win his sixth Open Championship helped ABC reach a 3.9 overnight Nielson rating.  That number was up 11% over a year ago, but still below those of two years ago when Woods was in the field for all four rounds.

It amazes me that Watson’s near miracle victory could not translate to more eyeballs tuning in.  Have we become that shallow when it comes to our golf viewing habits that it’s Tiger or bust?

That may be the case with television but not necessarily so online.  PGA.com reports that it saw a 44% increase in online page views for the British Open. The site also notes that viewers of the site’s live streams were up 80% from 2008.

So people still like a good golf story.  But where they get that story may be shifting.


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