If the numbers for Championship Week are any indication, CBS could be looking at a solid bump in the ratings for its coverage of the now ongoing NCAA Tournament.
ESPN averaged 1.6 million viewers for Championship Week coverage, up 31% from 1.2 million last year, and the most viewers for Championship Week coverage on the network since at least 1990. ESPN2 saw similar, if less impressive results, as its 450,000 viewers was up 12% from last year’s 401,000 viewers.
Much of the increase in ratings can be attributed to the Big East Tournament. The Syracuse/Louisville final saw a 60% jump in viewership from last year, and the tournament as a whole was the most viewed since at least ’90.
On the negative side, the Florida St./Duke ACC Championship Game saw a 23% drop in viewership, and the Baylor/Missouri Big 12 Championship Game saw a 10% decline.
