BASS reported that the 2006 Bassmaster Classic averaged a 21% larger TV audience than last year, and was the highest-rated Classic since ESPN2 began airing the event in 2001.
BASS stated that, according to Nielsen ratings, the 3 days of Classic coverage averaged 368,000 households, compared to 304,000 last year. A 0.4 rating for the three telecasts translated to an average of 331,000 homes watching, and all told, "9.5 million viewers tuned in to the programming," BASS stated.
The 2006 Classic was the "second-most-viewed Classic on ESPN," BASS added. "An average of 461,000 households watched the two telecasts, an increase of 14 percent over the audience for last year's coverage."
