A matchup of top five bluebloods delivered ESPN’s top college basketball overnight of the season. In other news, a pair of throwback Australian Open finals posted increases on ESPN, and the PGA Tour returned to CBS with double-digit increases.
Kansas/Kentucky ESPN’s Top CBB Game of Season
- Kansas/Kentucky, the centerpiece of the SEC/Big 12 Challenge, had a 2.0 overnight rating on ESPN Saturday evening — up 11% from the same matchup last year (1.8) but down 9% from Duke/Virginia on the comparable weekend two years ago (2.2). The 2.0 is the highest of the season for college basketball on ESPN. (ESPN Media Zone 1.30)
Throwback Matchups Lift Australian Open Finals
- The Roger Federer/Rafael Nadal Australian Open men’s final had a 0.9 overnight rating on ESPN early Sunday morning, up 80% from Novak Djokovic/Andy Murray both last year and in 2015 (0.5). The rivals’ previous meeting in the final in 2009 had a 0.7. On Saturday morning, the Serena Williams/Venus Williams women’s final had a 0.7 — up a tick from Serena’s loss to Angelique Kerber last year (0.6) and even with her win over Maria Sharapova in 2015. Overnights were not available for the previous all-Williams Australian Open final in 2003. (via Sports Business Daily 1.30)
PGA Torrey Pines Overnights Bounce Back From Last Year
- Final round coverage of the PGA Tour at Torrey Pines had a 2.1 overnight rating on CBS Sunday afternoon, up 24% from rain-affected coverage last year (1.7) but down 16% from 2015 (2.5). The 2.1 is the second-lowest for final round coverage of the tournament since 2012 (2.0) and is tied as the third-lowest dating back to at least 1998. Third round action on Saturday had a 1.5 overnight, up 36% from last year (1.1) and even with 2015. (via SBD)
