ESPN’s 2008 U.S. Open Playoff Is Most-Viewed Golf Cable Telecast Ever

First Two Rounds on ESPN Were Most-Viewed in Eight Years

June 17, 2008 -- ESPN’s coverage of the 2008 U.S. Open playoff on Monday from noon-2 p.m. ET was the most-viewed golf telecast in cable TV history (4.2 household rating, 4,055,000 household impressions, 4,762,000 viewers). Tiger Woods defeated Rocco Mediate in a sudden playoff at Torrey Pines. ESPN aired the first two hours of the playoff, which went into sudden death. Previously, ESPN’s coverage of the 2008 Masters, which delivered a 3.1 household rating, held the record, averaging 3,014,000 households.

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In addition, ESPN’s coverage of the first two rounds of this year’s U.S. Open was the most-viewed combined telecasts since 2000. The two day coverage (four telecasts, Thursday and Friday 1-3 and 5-10 p.m., ET) averaged a 1.8 household rating and 1,780,000 impressions. Key male demos were up across the board compared to 2007, including men 18-34 (31%), men 18-34 (26%) and men 25-54 (43%).

The audience on ESPN’s U.S. Open coverage on ESPN.com were also impressive.

ESPN.com (Thursday, June 12 to Monday, June 16) generated more 5.1 million visits (+256% vs. 2007) and 36.7 million page views (+282%), with the Monday playoff alone generating nearly 2.4 million visits and 10.7 million page views.

On the Mobile Web, ESPN's WAP(wireless web) site averaged more than 2 million unique daily visitors to golf content during tournament, generating nearly 3 million page views.

Source: ESPN