The Tiger Effect Hits CBS At The Masters In A Big Way

Having Tiger Woods in contention in a major golf tournament is one thing. Having him return from his long layoff due to scandal is another.

On Thursday, interest in Tiger brought ESPN almost five million viewers, the most viewed golf tournament in cable TV history.

On Saturday, CBS received monster ratings. How big you ask? Look at the press release.

CBS SPORTS’ MASTERS THIRD-ROUND EARNS HIGHEST RATING IN NINE YEARS

SATURDAY’S BROADCAST RATINGS UP 33 % FROM LAST YEAR

CBS Sports’ coverage of the 2010 Masters on Saturday, April 10 scored its highest rating in nine years earning an average overnight household rating/share of 7.6/18, up 33% from last year’s Saturday third-round coverage (5.7/13). This year’s Saturday third round coverage is also the third highest-rated Saturday of any major championship since at least 1986 in the metered markets (as far back as recorded CBS Nielsen data).

The highest rated Saturday of a major championship was the 1997 Masters third round with an 8.6/20 when Tiger Woods was on his quest for his first Green Jacket. The second highest-rated Saturday of a major championship was also the Masters when in 2001, Tiger Woods was on his way to his second Green Jacket earning a 7.9/19.

This year’s third round rating peaked at 8.6/19 from 6:00-6:30 PM, ET.

That’s it.

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