An NFL lead-in lifted college basketball ratings to a season-high. In other news, the FCS football championship was a mixed bag on ESPN2, the PGA Tournament of Champions scored an increase on Golf Channel, and the U.S. Figure Skating Championship posted more growth over the weekend.
MSU-OSU Hits College Basketball Ratings High
The previous season-highs were a 1.8 and 3.0 million for Duke-Michigan State on ESPN in November.
In other action, Saturday’s North Carolina-Virginia game had a 0.9 rating and 1.30 million on ESPN — up 29% in ratings and viewership from last year (MSU-Penn State: 0.7, 1.0M). Head-to-head, it beat Florida-Missouri on CBS (0.7, 1.0M) and Xavier-Providence on FOX (0.49, 713K). ESPN also drew 1.32 million for Texas A&M-Kentucky (-14%) and 1.24 million for Purdue-Michigan (-5%) on Super Tuesday.
FCS Championship Ratings, Viewership, Mixed
PGA Tournament of Championship Up on Golf Channel
Third round action the previous day had a 0.37 (+48%) and 544,000 (+34%).
More Growth For Figure Skating Championships
The previous day, afternoon coverage had a 1.3 (+18%) and 1.9 million (+21%). Primetime action on NBCSN, which featured the men’s free skate, had a 0.5 and 840,000. As noted previously, last Friday’s ladies free skate had a 2.7 and 4.5 million on NBC, an eight-year high.
