The NCAA Tournament continues to put up strong numbers for CBS and Turner Sports.
Friday’s coverage of the NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen averaged a combined 7.6 overnight rating on CBS and TBS, up 17% from last year (6.5), and the highest overnight for Friday Sweet Sixteen coverage since 2005 (7.8).
In the early window, North Carolina/Marquette on CBS and Kansas/Richmond on TBS combined for a 5.9 overnight, flat compared to last year’s regional action on CBS (TEN/OSU or SMYU/BAY: 5.9).
Both early games were uncompetitive, with North Carolina and Kansas winning by 18 and 20 points, respectively. By contrast, the two late games came down to the final possession, and the overnights increased accordingly.
Kentucky/Ohio State on CBS and VCU/Florida State on TBS combined for a 9.2 overnight, up 30% from last year’s regional action (MSU/UNI or PUR/DUKE: 7.1). Kentucky won its game by two points, while VCU won by a single point in overtime.
The 9.2 overnight is the highest for the late Friday Sweet Sixteen window since 1991.
Through Friday’s action, CBS and Turner Sports have combined to average a 6.6 overnight rating for NCAA Tournament coverage, up 18% from last year (5.6), and tied as the highest metered market average through this point of the NCAA Tournament since 1991.
(Turner Sports)
