Four of the five college basketball games on CBS last weekend had double-digit increases in ratings, with three games up by over 60%.
CBS earned a 1.6 final rating and 2.460 million viewers for BYU/San Diego State on February 26, up 60% in ratings from last year’s comparable game (UNC/WF: 1.0). The game was the most-viewed college basketball game on CBS last weekend.
Later that same day, Florida/Kentucky drew a 1.6 and 2.435 million viewers, up 23% in ratings compared to last year (KU/OKST: 1.3).
Saturday’s coverage actually got off to a slow start. The Noon ET Syracuse/Georgetown matchup drew a 1.1 and 1.630 million viewers, down 31% in ratings from last year’s comparable regional coverage (UK/TEN*: 1.6).
On Sunday, Indiana/Ohio State drew a 1.3 and 1.866 million, up 63% in ratings from last year. (MSU/PUR: 0.8). Earlier in the day, Pittsburgh/Louisville drew a 1.2 and 1.671 million viewers, up a weekend-best 71% in ratings from last year (CONN/LOU: 0.7).
Keep in mind last year’s Sunday afternoon games aired opposite the USA/Canada Olympic hockey gold medal game.
(Numbers via TV By the Numbers‘ Robert Seidman)
