Thanks to sharply lower ratings for North Carolina/Oklahoma, ratings for the Elite Eight fell to their lowest level in six years.
The four NCAA Tournament Regional Finals averaged a 6.0 rating on CBS last weekend, down 7% from a 6.4 last year, and tied with the war-affected ’03 edition as the lowest average ever for the round.
The drop in ratings can be almost entirely attributed to a double-digit decline for the marquee game between North Carolina and Oklahoma. North Carolina’s win drew a 6.8 final rating late Sunday afternoon, down 22% from an 8.7 for Davidson/Kansas last year.
The other three telecasts each saw slight increases in ratings. Michigan St./Louisville drew a 5.2 on Sunday afternoon, up 2% over a 5.1 for Memphis/Texas last year. On Saturday, Villanova/Pittsburgh drew a 6.6, up 2% from last year, and Connecticut/Missouri drew a 5.4, up 4%.
While each of those games saw increased ratings from last year, the numbers were close to ten-year lows. Villanova/Pittsburgh drew the lowest rating in the late Saturday window since ’99. Meanwhile, Michigan St./Louisville and Connecticut/Missouri both drew the fourth-lowest rating of the past ten years in their respective windows.
Ratings for the Elite Eight.
| Date | Time | Game | Net | Rating | vs. ’08 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat., 3/28/09 | 4:30 PM | Connecticut/Missouri | CBS |
5.4/12
|
4% |
| Sat., 3/28/09 | 7:01 PM | Villanova/Pittsburgh | CBS |
6.6/12
|
2% |
| Sun., 3/29/09 | 2:10 PM | Michigan State/Louisville | CBS |
5.2/12
|
2% |
| Sun., 3/29/09 | 4:55 PM | North Carolina/Oklahoma | CBS |
6.8/13
|
-22% |
|
Average rating
|
6.0
|
-7% | |||
