In recent years, the television ratings for PGA Tour events have seen a significant decline. The 2025 American Express tournament in La Quinta exemplifies this trend with a dramatic 57% drop from the previous year. While the 2024 event featured an amateur victory by Nick Dunlap and appearances by top golfers like Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele, the 2025 edition lacked such star power and historical significance. This downturn is part of a broader trend affecting golf's TV viewership since 2023, raising concerns about the sport's appeal to audiences.

Declining Viewership at the 2025 American Express Tournament

In the crisp, early days of the new year, the 2025 American Express tournament in La Quinta saw a sharp decline in television ratings compared to its predecessor. The 2024 event was memorable for its historic win by amateur Nick Dunlap and the presence of world-class players like Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele. However, these elements were notably absent in 2025. Both Scheffler and Schauffele withdrew before the tournament began, leaving fans without their favorite stars. Moreover, Sepp Straka’s comfortable lead on Sunday reduced the final round's drama, leading to a modest audience of just 232,000 viewers, according to Nielsen.

The decline extends beyond this single event. Early 2025 tournaments like The Sentry and the Sony Open in Hawaii also struggled to attract more than 500,000 viewers. This downward trend has been ongoing for over a year, with only a few exceptions, such as Dunlap’s win in 2024, which drew 534,000 viewers on the final day. The continued drop in ratings raises serious questions about the future of golf on television.

From a journalist's perspective, the declining viewership underscores the need for innovative strategies to reinvigorate interest in golf. The sport must address several key issues:

• Unifying the Tours: The ongoing divide between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf is detrimental to the sport's popularity. Reconciling these tours could bring back top talent and boost ratings.
• Scheduling Conflicts: The NFL season's expansion encroaches on the PGA Tour's schedule, diverting attention away from golf. Adjustments in scheduling, such as Saturday finishes for some tournaments, could help mitigate this issue.
• Enhanced Access: Providing behind-the-scenes content, similar to the NFL's 'Hard Knocks,' can offer fans a deeper connection to the players and the game.
• Livening Up Broadcasts: Introducing more engaging formats and personalities into broadcasts can make the viewing experience more enjoyable.
• Involving More Players: Having current players provide commentary during broadcasts can add authenticity and insight, making the sport more relatable to viewers.

Ultimately, reversing this trend will require collaboration between golf organizations and television networks. If not addressed, the sport risks losing its audience entirely by 2026. The time to act is now, before it's too late.

Recent developments at CNN have sparked discussions across the media landscape. On January 23, Fox News anchor Trace Gallagher critiqued CNN’s organizational changes on "Fox News at Night." He highlighted the network's shift in programming and layoffs, attributing these moves to their critical stance toward former President Donald Trump. Gallagher questioned the strategic decisions of CNN, particularly its pivot towards digital platforms while maintaining a struggling television lineup. This commentary reflects broader debates about media strategy and audience preferences in an evolving industry.

In recent weeks, CNN has undergone significant restructuring. The network faced criticism from various quarters, including Fox News, which pointed out that CNN’s focus on negative coverage of political figures may be impacting its business model. According to sources, CNN had to make substantial personnel adjustments, including removing some prominent anchors from prime-time slots. These changes came amidst internal discussions about the direction of the network. CEO Mark Thompson emphasized the need to adapt to changing viewer habits by shifting emphasis to digital platforms. However, critics argue that this move might alienate the current television audience, who still form a large part of the viewership base.

The decision to reposition certain shows, such as moving CNN Newsroom to a midnight slot, raised eyebrows within the media community. Some insiders speculated that this was a strategic maneuver to distance the network from controversial figures like Jim Acosta, whose frequent criticisms of the Trump administration were seen as polarizing. While Acosta's ratings remained strong, the shift suggested a broader effort to recalibrate the network's image and content. This adjustment also reflected tensions between traditional journalism values and the pressures of modern media consumption patterns.

Gallagher’s critique underscored concerns about journalistic integrity when networks mandate fairness guidelines. He suggested that ordering journalists to maintain impartiality could undermine both credibility and profitability. The ongoing debate highlights the challenges faced by major news organizations as they navigate through shifting audience preferences and competitive dynamics. Despite the controversy, CNN remains committed to evolving its approach to meet the demands of contemporary media consumers.

The evolving strategies at CNN reveal the complexities involved in balancing editorial direction with commercial viability. As the network continues to adapt, it faces the dual challenge of retaining its core audience while embracing new technologies. The coming months will likely provide more insight into whether these changes yield positive outcomes for CNN or if they further intensify existing controversies. Media analysts will closely watch how CNN's transition unfolds and impacts its standing in the highly competitive news industry.