The Year in TV: March 2010

Partially because of the Tiger Woods scandal, The Masters golf tournament brings in huge ratings, with 47% more viewers than the last year. Phil Mickelson was the winner, receiving his third Masters title.

The first 3D television network, MSG 3D, debuts. Airing during its first month is sporting events like hockey and baseball games, as well as parts of the Masters tournament.

The 82nd annual Academy Awards, like other recent award shows, see a rise in TV ratings. Hosted by Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin, the event attracted over 79 million viewers.

HBO begins airing The Pacific, a critically acclaimed ten-part miniseries from some of the minds who brought us Band of Brothers.

NBC’s Parenthood, Who Do You Think You Are, and Minute to Win It make their series debuts, along with FOX’s Sons of Tucson, and VH1’s The Price of Beauty.

Several series also air their last episodes, including CBS’ Numb3rs and Gary Unmarried, FX‘s Nip/Tuck, ABC’s Scrubs, and Ben 10: Alien Force.

It was also a month where many talented actors left us: Daniel Boone’s Fess Parker, Mission Impossible’s Peter Graves, Father Murphy’s Merlin Olsen, and I Spy’s Robert Culp all passed away in March 2010.