‘Fox Sports’ Debut Event for LIV Golf Fails to Impress
The much-anticipated debut event for LIV Golf on ‘Fox Sports’ has fallen short of expectations, with meager ratings indicating a lackluster performance for the broadcaster.
Disappointing Audience Figures
The final round of the 2025 season-opening event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, which aired on Saturday morning in the United States, garnered an average of only 40,200 viewers. While FS1 managed a slightly higher average of 54,000 viewers between 10 AM and noon ET, FS2 struggled to attract viewers, averaging only 31,000 for the final three hours.
These numbers represent a modest increase from the 12,000 average viewers who tuned in for the first day of the event on Thursday, but they remain comparable to other daytime programming on FS2.
Falling Short of Expectations
Fox Sports’ multi-year media rights deal with LIV Golf was expected to boost the league’s ratings, but the disappointing debut event casts doubt on its ability to attract a substantial audience. Last year, LIV’s Individual Championship on The CW Network averaged 89,000 viewers, suggesting that Fox may have overestimated the league’s appeal to viewers.
Timing and Accessibility Issues
The timing of the event, which coincided with early hours in the United States, may have contributed to the low ratings. Fox’s decision to move the broadcasts to make them more accessible for viewers in the US does not appear to have had the desired effect.
International Schedule and Crucial Test
LIV Golf’s second event of the year will take place in Adelaide, Australia, before the league travels to Hong Kong and Singapore in March. The league’s United States debut is scheduled for April 4-6 at Trump National Doral in Miami.
The Miami event will serve as a crucial test for Fox, as the final round will air on the main network on a Sunday afternoon, a traditional golf TV window. Fox’s ability to attract viewers during this prime time slot will be indicative of LIV Golf’s potential to gain traction in the United States.
Hope Amidst Setbacks
Despite the disappointing ratings, LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neal remains optimistic about the league’s future. He cited the recent deal with Fox, the partnership with Madden, star extensions, and increased interest from television broadcast networks and potential sponsors as positive signs.
O’Neal believes that LIV Golf is "going to the moon and back" and is confident in the league’s trajectory. However, the weak debut event on Fox suggests that significant challenges remain in attracting and retaining a substantial audience.
