Overnight ratings for the NCAA Tournament Selection Show were the second-lowest since at least 1989.
The 2014 NCAA Tournament Selection Show earned a 4.2 overnight rating on CBS Sunday evening, down 5% from last year (4.4), but up 5% from 2012 (4.0). The 4.2 overnight is the second-lowest for the Selection Show since at least 1989 (overnights prior to 1990 were not available), ahead of only 2012.
Overnight ratings for the Selection Show have now declined in three of the past four years. The last four Selection Show telecasts rank among the five lowest rated in the metered markets since ’89.
Despite the lower numbers, the Selection Show was — barely — the top sporting event of the weekend on broadcast. NASCAR on FOX (4.1) finished a close second, and is likely to come out ahead when the final numbers are released.
Not helping the Selection Show was a weaker lead-in from the Big Ten Championship Game. The Michigan State/Michigan game earned a 2.4 overnight, down 20% from last year (3.0).
(Sun. numbers from Sports Business Daily)
