Tuning in Ryder Cup coverage gets big ratings for NBC Click here for more on this story Posted: Monday September 27, 1999 09:28 PM   62 percent more viewers tuned into Ben Crenshaw and the U.S. team's win then saw the 1997 Ryder Cup. AP NEW YORK (AP) -- The Ryder Cup had its best overnight rating Sunday, but it was still lower than all of golf's majors played on American soil. Sunday's comeback victory by the Americans in singles play posted a 6.3 overnight mark and a 15 share, according to NBC. That was up 62 percent from the 1997 Ryder Cup and up 43 percent from the 1995 event, the last time it was held in the United States. But the final day eclipsed only that of this year's British Open, which had a 5.7 overnight rating. The Masters (10.7), U.S. Open (7.9) and the PGA Championships (7.7) all had higher ratings. The NFL also fared better Sunday, with Fox posting a 10.9 and CBS a 9.1. Sunday's 6 1/2-hour Ryder Cup program peaked from 4-4:30 p.m. EDT with a 8.5/14. NBC showed nearly 11 hours of coverage Saturday and had a 4.9/17. Over the two days, the network aired a Ryder Cup record 17 hours, 22 minutes. The network estimates 55 million viewers saw all or part of the Ryder Cup, surpassing the previous high of 42 million in 1997. The two telecasts also gave the program its highest two-day average. The average was 5.4/14, breaking the mark of 4.1/12 in 1997. National ratings will be available later this week. Overnight ratings measure the top 46 markets across the country. The rating is the percentage of TV households in the nation tuned to a program, and each network point represents 994,000 homes. The share is the percentage tuned to a program among those televisions on at the time.   Related information Stories CNN/SI's Phil Jones: A silver lining Closer Look: Anatomy of a comeback Photo Gallery: Sunday Celebration U.S. overcomes four-point bulge to reclaim Ryder Cup Sutton shines after 12-year absence Decorum breaks down with Leonard's winning putt Multimedia Click here for the latest audio and video Search our site Watch CNN/SI 24 hours a day Sports Illustrated and CNN have combined to form a 24 hour sports news and information channel. To receive CNN/SI at your home call 1-888-53-CNNSI. Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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