Boosted by several close games and upsets, the first day of the NCAA Tournament scored a record overnight.
First round coverage of the NCAA Tournament averaged a combined 6.6 overnight rating on CBS, TBS, TNT and TruTV Thursday, up 10% from last year (6.0) up 14% from 2013 (5.8), and the highest average for the opening day of the tournament since the current format began in 1991. All four windows hit at least a 24-year high.
The top telecast of the day was the early primetime window, which earned a combined 7.8 overnight across the four networks — up a tick from last year (7.7), up 5% from 2013 (7.4), and the best overnight for the window on record (dating back to 1991). The window included an overtime game on CBS and Harvard’s near upset of North Carolina on TNT.
The late primetime window drew a combined 7.1 overnight, up 15% from last year (6.2), up 11% from 2013 (6.4), and also the best overnight for the window on record. The window included undefeated Kentucky on CBS and close games between LSU and NC State (TBS) and Arkansas and Wofford (TNT).
Earlier in the day, the late afternoon window drew an impressive 6.7 — up 24% from last year and 2013 (5.5), and easily the highest overnight in the window since 1991. The previous high was the aforementioned 5.5.
The early afternoon window brought up the rear with a respectable 4.6, even with last year, up 12% from 2013 (4.1), and tied as the top overnight for the window on record. The window featured two #14-over-#3 upsets, Georgia State/Baylor on TBS and UAB/Iowa State on TNT, as well as Northeastern’s near-upset of Notre Dame on CBS.
(Thu. overnights from CBS/Turner Sports)
