Most Viewed Final Round of U.S. Open in Five Years propels NBC to primetime win

NBC
Sports’ final round coverage of the U.S. Open on Sunday (1-7:46 p.m. ET)
averaged 9.54 million viewers, the best final round since 2002 when Tiger Woods
won the rain-delayed Open at Bethpage (1:30-8:38 p.m. ET). The 9.54 million viewers
is 2.5 million viewers more than last year and a 37 percent increase over 2006
(6.95 million). Sunday’s coverage earned a 6.4 national rating and 16 share, up
36 percent from last year (4.7/12).

The rating peaked at a 10.1/22 from 7-7:30 p.m. ET, the best half hour rating
on any network for the week by two full rating points (see chart below), and
propelled NBC to a primetime win for the night. As eventual winner Angel
Cabrera watched from the clubhouse, Tiger Woods missed a birdie putt on the final hole to fall one shot short of forcing a
playoff.

NBC’s Saturday and Sunday coverage averaged 7.7 million viewers, a 35 percent
increase over 2006 (5.7 mm) and the best weekend average since 2002.

Final Round Avg. Viewership for The U.S. Open over last 5 Years:

2007 – 9.54 million

2006 – 6.95 million

2005 – 7.96 million

2004 – 8.34 million

2003 – 6.77 million

Best Half Hour HH Ratings Monday-Sunday (June 11-17):

1. Sun., June 17, 7-7:30 p.m. ET,

NBC,

U.S.
Open Golf – 10.1/22

2. Tue., June 12, 9:30-10 p.m. ET, NBC,

America’s Got
Talent – 8.1/13

3. Tue., June 12, 9-9:30 p.m. ET, NBC,

America’s Got
Talent – 7.9/13

4. Thu., June 14, 10-10:30 p.m. ET, FOX, So You Think You
Can

Dance – 7.7/13

5. Tue., June 14, 8:30-9 p.m. ET, NBC,

America’s Got
Talent – 7.3/13