The announcement that Tiger Woods will return to the PGA Tour at the Masters had to leave everyone at ESPN and CBS dancing.
There’s no doubt that when he tees off on April 8th ESPN likely will set a daytime record for ratings for weekday golf coverage.
Then come the weekend. If Tiger makes the cut, CBS will have huge numbers and likely set an all-time ratings record for a golf telecast of any kind.
According to my friends at CBS, the highest-rated Masters telecasts belong to Tiger. The top-rated Masters final round was 14.1 rating with a 31 share back in 1997, which was his first Masters win. Tiger also holds the record for the second-highest rated Masters of all time – a 13.3 rating with a 30 share (2001), in which he won his second green jacket.
Prior to Woods’ wins in 1997 and 2001, the highest-rated final rounds at the Masters were in the 1970s – an 11.9 rating and 35 share in 1972 and an 11.8 rating, 36 share in 1975. Both those Masters were won by Jack Nicklaus, his fourth and fifth green jackets, respectively.
The first Masters in 3-D
Comcast will join in the production effort and provide the distribution channels necessary to deliver 3-D content free to customers nationwide. Additionally, Comcast and IBM – the Tournament’s technology partner – will combine efforts to offer the 3-D feed via www.masters.com.
Sony Electronics will support the effort, not only as a sponsor of the 3D telecast, but also as an industry expert, along with supplying the latest advances in professional camera equipment and 3-D-capable televisions.
Two hours of live afternoon 3-D coverage will be available each day beginning with Wednesday’s Par 3 Contest on April 7 and continuing throughout the end of the tournament. The production – using multiple 3-D cameras placed strategically throughout the course for perspectives of Augusta National that have never been seen before – will primarily focus on the second nine.
Full coverage of the event will be available to Comcast customers in both standard- and high-definition on CBS. Additional highlights and broadcasts will be available on ESPN, as well as On Demand and online.
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer. Check out his blog, Watch this! on washingtonexaminer.com.
