2022 Masters TV And Streaming Numbers Are In
Ratings were historically low but still better across the board for CBS, ESPN and Golf Channel. Streaming sets records, reportedly.
Tiger moves the needle even when he’s posting 78’s.
CBS, ESPN and Golf Channel all posted healthy ratings increases for 2022 Masters coverage. Though we won’t know how much streaming numbers undercut the final Nielsen number for gauging American audience size. Barring a major change by Nielsen the days of 8’s and 9’s are over. Historically, this year’s 5.83 final round rating continues a downward trend consistent with well-documented declines for linear U.S. TV.
Paulsen at SportsMediaWatch.com writes:
The 5.8 rating is the fourth-lowest on record for final round coverage, ahead of only the past two years and 1957. Even with out-of-home providing a lift, viewership also ranks as the third-lowest dating back to at least 1994.
But the Masters is doing big numbers on the streaming side. We just don’t what they are and therefore cannot factor in how much Masters.com, Paramount+, CBSSports.com and the CBS Sports app lower the final television number.
CBS: Ratings up 7%, Most Watched Golf Since Tiger’s 2019 Win
The key numbers:
5.83 final round Nielsen rating.
10.2 million average viewership. That’s up 7% over the 2021 Masters won by Hideki Matsuyama (5.52/9.5 million average).
Peak audience of 13.1 million. CBS reports 12.443 million viewers for the final hour (6:00-7:00 PM, ET).
The coveted demo numbers: 2.29 million average viewers vs. 2.26 million average of 2021. Maybe the Dude Perfect effect will be seen next year.
Saturday is up big. From a 3.13 to a 4.30 rating, that’s up significantly to 7.4 million average from 5.1 million. But 2021’s third round also featured a rain delay.
The 7% rise and highest golf tournament rating since 2019’s Masters is impressive given several factors: