NBC posted modest gains for primetime coverage of the U.S. Figure Skating Championships. In other news, the Big 12 led ESPN’s college basketball slate to start the week, and Serena Williams against Maria Sharapova lifted the Australian Open.
Primetime Skating Up on NBC
- Primetime coverage of the U.S. Figure Skating Championships scored a 2.3 final rating and 3.7 million viewers on NBC Saturday night, up a tick in ratings and 11% in viewership from last year (2.2, 3.3M) but down 15% and 12%, respectively, from the Olympic year in 2014 (2.7, 4.2M).
Big 12 Tops Early Week Hoops Slate
- Kansas/Iowa State college basketball had a 1.0 final rating and 1.6 million viewers on ESPN Monday, up a tick in ratings and 27% in viewership from Texas/Iowa State last year (0.9, 1.2M) and up a tick and 22%, respectively, from Oklahoma State/Oklahoma in 2014 (0.9, 1.3M). Earlier, Duke/Miami drew a 0.9 (-25%) and 1.4 million (-26%). Indiana/Wisconsin had a 0.9 and 1.3 million Tuesday, up 50% in ratings and 40% in viewership from Nebraska/Michigan last year (0.6, 928K) but off 36% and 41%, respectively, from Michigan State/Iowa in ’14 (1.4, 2.2M). Later, Georgia/LSU had a 0.6 (+50%) and 910,000 (+33%).
Serena/Sharapova Boosts Aussie Open
- Australian Open coverage featuring the Serena Williams/Maria Sharapova quarterfinal earned a 0.6 final rating and 876,000 viewers on ESPN2 Monday night, up a tick in ratings and 17% in viewership from last year (0.5, 746K) and easily the most-watched telecast of the tournament thus far.
