CBS neared a season-high for Kentucky’s latest win.
The Arkansas/Kentucky college basketball game drew a 2.0 overnight rating on CBS Saturday afternoon, doubling LSU/Florida last year (1.0), up 43% from Kentucky/Arkansas in 2013 (1.4), and the network’s third-highest overnight of the season (27 telecasts).
The Wildcats’ win trails only UCLA/Kentucky in December (2.2*) and UNLV/Kansas in January (2.4). The latter game had a direct lead-in from NFL playoff action. Keep in mind games on ESPN have earned higher overnights, including Kentucky/Louisville in December (2.1) and Duke/Virginia last month (2.2).
Earlier in the day, North Carolina/Miami drew a 1.3 overnight — up 30% from Louisville/Memphis last year (1.0) and even with West Virginia/Kansas in 2013 (1.3). The Georgetown/St. John’s early game drew a 0.9, down 31% from Louisville/Syracuse in 2013 (1.3); there was no comparable game last year.
In other CBS action, Michigan State/Wisconsin drew a 1.2 on Sunday afternoon (-20%) and SMU/Connecticut drew a 0.9 the same day (+13%).
* Showbuzz Daily reported that the UCLA/Kentucky game had a 2.2 overnight, but Sports Business Daily had the same game earning a much lower 1.5.
(Wknd. overnights via ShowBuzz Daily)
