Just like their first meeting last month, the season’s second edition of the North Carolina/Duke rivalry could not match last year.
North Carolina/Duke college basketball scored a 2.1 overnight rating on ESPN Saturday evening, down 19% from their second matchup last year (2.6) and down 9% from the second matchup in 2014 (2.3). This year’s game had an early evening start (likely to accommodate ABC’s NBA Saturday Primetime package), compared to the 9 PM ET tips of previous years.
Compared to Virginia/Louisville in the same window last year, overnights increased 40% from a 1.5.
Both UNC/Duke games this season had a double-digit decline in the metered markets. The first matchup last month had a 1.9 overnight, down 21% from last year’s 2.4. Last year’s games did unusually well, both finishing among the five most-watched meetings between the teams ever on ESPN.
Despite the lower numbers, the Tar Heels’ win was Saturday’s top sporting event on any network — comfortably ahead of the Rockets/Bulls NBA game on ABC (1.4). It also trounced Louisville/Virginia later in the night, which inherited its old timeslot (1.2).
(Sat. numbers via ShowBuzz Daily)
