Tiger Factor Helps CBS

Even though there was little drama, the Tiger Woods factor came into play with television ratings for Sunday’s final round of the Masters. CBS drew a solid 9.9 national overnight rating and 21 share of the audience. The Los Angeles numbers were even better--10.1 with a 28 share.

Although the 9.9/21 was down from last year’s national overnight of 12.1/25, the main reason was the coverage was expanded from three hours to more than five. Sunday marked the first time CBS has covered all 18 holes. The rating for the final three hours of coverage Sunday was about the same as last year.

Overnight ratings reflect only those from metered major markets. Final national ratings will be out later in the week.

The average overnight for the final two rounds was an 8.8/19. The only times the Masters has drawn a better two-day average also came in years that Woods won--a 12.8/27 in 1997 and a 10.5/23 in 2001.

Sunday’s coverage peaked with a 14.1 between 3 and 3:30 p.m. In L.A., the peak rating was a 12.9.