The 2013 NCAA Tournament has had a modest increase in ratings and viewership on CBS/Turner Sports. In other news, the Arnold Palmer Invitational and NASCAR Nationwide Series had declines on NBC and ESPN, respectively.
NCAA Tournament Ratings, Viewership Up 9%
- Through the Sweet Sixteen, CBS and Turner Sports have averaged a combined 6.1 rating and 9.4 million viewers for coverage of the 2013 Men’s NCAA Tournament — up 9% in ratings and viewership from last year (5.6, 8.6M), and up 5% and 4%, respectively, from 2011 (5.8, 9.0M). This year’s tournament ranks as the highest rated through the Sweet Sixteen since 1998 (6.2), and the most-viewed since 1993 (10.5M). (CBS/Turner Sports)
Ratings Drop For PGA at Bay Hill
- Third round coverage of the PGA Tour Arnold Palmer Invitational earned a 2.0 final rating on NBC last Sunday, down 26% from last year (2.7), but up 11% from 2011 (1.8). NBC did not televise final round action, which was postponed from Sunday to Monday due to inclement weather. Tiger Woods won the tournament both this year and last. (Weekend numbers from Sports Business Daily)
Nationwide Series at Fontana Down Double-Digits
- The NASCAR Nationwide Series Royal Purple 300 from Fontana (CA) earned a 1.2 U.S. rating and 1.7 million viewers on ESPN last Saturday, down 20% in ratings and 24% in viewership from last year (1.5, 2.3M), and down 8% and 18%, respectively, from 2011 (1.3, 2.1M). Final numbers were not immediately available for Sunday’s Sprint Cup race on FOX. (Weekend numbers from Son of the Bronx)
