Ratings: "Driving Relief" Draws A Traditional Tour Event-Sized Audience
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While NASCAR’s return garnered massive ratings, golf’s “live” return up against most of the first race back did not stand a chance. Why the attempt at competing with non-exhibition sports, we’ll never know. (Golf was the second biggest sports event of the week in terms of eyeballs and just held off a strong challenge from the Beverly Hills Dog Show.)
More importantly: the only number from TaylorMade Driving Relief that matters: $5.5 million and counting raised for COVID-19 related causes, with United Health and Farmers doing the biggest check-writing.
As for the TV audience, golf fans returned. But when the release compares the exhibition with 2019 Tour events, it becomes clear sports fans probably went with NASCAR.
For Immediate Release:
TAYLORMADE DRIVING RELIEF EARNS 2.35 MILLION VIEWERS (TAD) ACROSS NBC, GOLF CHANNEL, NBCSN & STREAMING
Golf’s Return to Television Has Raised More Than $5.5 Million for COVID-19
Relief Efforts So Far; Donations Continue via PGATOUR.com/DrivingRelief
ORLANDO, Fla. (May 18, 2020) – Live golf returned for the first time in two months on Sunday, with TaylorMade Driving Relief supported by UnitedHealth Group, which saw a Total Audience Delivery (TAD) of 2.35 million average viewers (2-6:33p ET; P2+) across NBC, GOLF Channel, NBCSN, along with NBC Sports and PGA TOUR streaming platforms. Rory McIlroy and Dustin Johnson defeated Rickie Fowler and Matthew Wolff in a charity skins match that has raised more than $5.5 million for COVID-19 relief efforts. Donations are continuing at PGATOUR.com/DrivingRelief.
“Sunday’s telecast helped raise awareness for the American Nurses Foundation, CDC Foundation and Off Their Plate, three organizations on the frontlines of COVID-19 relief efforts. It’s a credit to the PGA TOUR, corporate partners and the players for making this event a terrific success,” said Pete Bevacqua, president, NBC Sports Group. “On top of the funds raised for these charitable entities, audiences were treated to their first look at Seminole Golf Club, which ultimately was the fifth star on Sunday in its television debut.”
A 2.35 million TAD for Sunday’s live broadcast is relatively flat for average viewership compared to CBS’ and NBC’s 2nd Quarter 2019 PGA TOUR Final Round average (2.32M vs 2.38M average viewership, -2%). Additionally, Persons 25-54 garnered 762,000 average viewers, up 44% vs. CBS/NBC’s 2019 2nd Quarter PGA TOUR Final Round average.
