Live coverage of PGA Tour +37% vs February 2017; Most-watched February for PGA Tour on record for Golf Channel; Network returns to No. 1 among single-sport networks (Total Day)
ORLANDO, Fla. (March 2, 2018) – Despite being opposite NBC Sports’ comprehensive coverage of the Winter Olympics for much of the month, Golf Channel grew its audience +7% from its ‘most-watched January ever’ to match its most-watched February since 2013. With an average of 124,000 viewers per minute in Total Day, the network matched February 2017 according to data released by The Nielsen Company. This builds off Golf Channel earning its most-watched December and January on record, and February also saw the network return to No. 1 among single-sport networks in Total Day. NBC Sports will look to carry this momentum into March, with live coverage of the WGC-Mexico Championship this week kicking off a five-week stretch of PGA TOUR events airing exclusively across Golf Channel and NBC leading up to the Masters.
Golf Channel Digital in February was +23% year-over-year for total minutes streamed (26.9M), led by all four PGA TOUR events during the month recording their highest live stream minute totals on record. Consumption of Golf Channel Digital content across its website and mobile app also was +4% for page views (80.0M) vs. 2017.
Live coverage of the PGA TOUR in February drew 797,000 average viewers per minute (+37% year-over-year), the most-watched February for live PGA TOUR telecasts on record (2007-’18). The Genesis Open and The Honda Classic each had telecasts that set all-time highs for either Early Round or Lead-in coverage at those respective events on Golf Channel. The network also saw its second best February for PGA TOUR live telecasts with persons 25-54 (surpassed only by 2012). Additional highlights for the month include:
• Golf Central earning its most-watched February in at least five years with Total Viewers (219,000) and +10% vs. 2017, in addition to persons 25-54 being up 6% year-over-year (51,000). On three occasions in February, Golf Central averaged more than 1.0 million viewers for a single telecast, a feat that had previously occurred just 10 other times on record (2006-’18, excludes “Golf Central Live From” platform).
• PGA TOUR Champions coverage +10% vs. February 2017; most-watched live or first air coverage in at least five years.
ABOUT GOLF CHANNEL
Golf Channel is a multimedia, golf entertainment and services company based in Orlando, Fla. Serving the most-affluent audience in all of television, Golf Channel – co-founded by Arnold Palmer in 1995 and now part of NBC Sports Group – is available to nearly 500 million viewers in 78 countries and nine languages around the world. Golf Channel features more live golf coverage than all other networks combined, including tournament action from the PGA TOUR, LPGA Tour, The Open, Olympics, and Ryder Cup, as well as high-quality news, instruction and original programming. Delivering unmatched coverage of the world of golf, fans are able to enjoy 24/7 live streaming of Golf Channel content through Golf Channel Digital and the NBC Sports App, powered by Playmaker Media. In addition, Golf Channel connects the world to golf through a wide array of digital and lifestyle services including Golf Channel Mobile, a comprehensive app covering golf’s latest headlines, scores and analysis; GolfNow, the world’s largest online tee time booking platform and golf course technology partner, which includes the GolfNow Mobile App, featuring on-course GPS tracking, in-round scoring and game tracking; Revolution Golf, the largest direct-to-consumer digital platform in golf ; GolfAdvisor.com, the world’s largest golf course ratings and review resource for golfers, by golfers; a North American network of Golf Channel Academy instructional facilities; and Golf Channel Am Tour, the world’s largest amateur golf tour; and as the Official Media Partner of St. Andrews Links, the Home of Golf.
Sources: All Nielsen data Live+Same Day unless otherwise noted. February 2018 (1/29/18-2/25/18) vs. February 2017 (1/30/17-2/26/17) and all prior Nielsen February date ranges, using program based strict quarter-hour data. Digital Metrics from Adobe Reports & Analytics.
Contact:
Jeff Szklinski
Golf Channel Communications
407-248-3267
Jeff.Szklinski@golfchannel.com
