Despite a decline for the early window, average ratings and viewership for Friday’s NCAA Tournament doubleheader were up double-digits from last year on CBS and TBS.
Coverage of the NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen averaged a combined 7.0 U.S. rating and 11.3 million viewers on CBS and TBS Friday night, up 13% in ratings and viewership from last year’s coverage on CBS alone (6.2, 10.0M).
In the early window, CBS and TBS combined for a 5.5 rating and 8.590 million viewers, flat in ratings and down 4% in viewership from last year’s regional coverage on CBS (TEN/OSU or SMYS/BAY: 5.5, 8.930M).
In particular, CBS drew a 3.8 and 5.855 million viewers for North Carolina/Marquette, down 31% and 32%, respectively, from the network’s aforementioned regional action last year. On TBS, Kansas/Richmond drew a 1.7 and 2.732 million viewers.
In the late window, the two networks combined for a hefty 8.4 and 13.824 million viewers, up 22% in ratings and 25% in viewership from last year (UNI/MSU or PUR/DUKE: 6.9, 11.082M).
Kentucky’s thrilling win over Ohio State drew the lion’s share of viewers in the late window, scoring a 6.5 and 10.707 million viewers on CBS. The game was down just 6% in ratings and 3% in viewership from the net’s regional coverage last year.
Over on TBS, VCU’s overtime win over Florida State drew a 1.9 and 3.124 million viewers.
Through the Sweet Sixteen, CBS and Turner Sports combined to average a 5.8 U.S. rating and 9.0 million viewers for NCAA Tournament coverage, up 14% and 13%, respectively, from last year (5.1, 8.0M).
This marks the highest average viewership through this point of the NCAA Tournament since 1994.
(Combined ratings/viewership from Turner Sports; numbers for individual network telecasts from TV By the Numbers 1, 2)
