REVEALED: The true figures from LIV Golf's U.S. TV debut!
The true figures from the LIV Golf League's U.S. TV debut on The CW have been revealed as they went head-to-head with the PGA Tour's Honda Classic.
The results are in and the true figures for the LIV Golf League's U.S. TV debut can be revealed.
Earlier this week reports surfaced the breakaway tour's viewing figures weren't great and more people tuned in to watch a show about funny animals.
But now per The Athletic, it is reported that the first broadcast on The CW Network averaged 286,000 viewers on Saturday.
The final round in Mexico - which was dominated by American Charles Howell III, was watched by an average of 291,000.
These figures are per Nielsen. Make of them what you will.
Related: Phil Mickelson experiences a career first after Mexico
Of course, these numbers don't take into account how many people were watching on other platforms around the world.
LIV Golf also have streaming deals with DAZN, among others.
The first LIV Golf event at Mayakoba went up against the PGA Tour's Honda Classic, which was played at PGA National and won by Chris Kirk.
Kirk found the water at the 72nd hole found himself in a playoff with Eric Cole.
It was Kirk who emerged the winner after in the thrilling finale after knocking his approach to a matter of inches.
According to reporting by The Ahtletic, the average number of viewers during the Sunday broadcast on NBC was 2.38m viewers.
The estimated viewership from the Saturday PGA Tour broadcast was 1.6m.
LIV Golf have been frantically searching for a TV deal ever since their inaugural event at Centurion Club just outside of London last June.
They streamed all eight of their invitationals for free on YouTube and their website.
Figures from LIV's debut event attracted 104,000 U.S. viewers on YouTube and 40,000 for their $50m team championship at Trump National Doral.
That was won by Dustin Johnson's 4 Aces GC last October.
The financials of the deal with The CW haven't been disclosed but The New York Times have reported that LIV Golf are sharing the revenue.
Last weekend I watched:
— GolfMagic (@GolfMagic) February 27, 2023
This year will be crucial as to whether the Saudi-funded league can truly be a success.
It would not be unreasonable to suggest LIV's debut season was dominated by what was happening off the course.
Reports surfaced earlier in the week that they are content with their roster of 48 players and will not be trying to sign anyone else in the 2023 season.
What did you make of the first LIV broadcast? Did you watch the PGA Tour instead? Or both? Tweet us.
Next page: LIV Golf execs trying to rein in Norman
Ben joined the GolfMagic team in September 2021, initially as a content executive.
These days, he assumes the position of content manager.
