Though CBS continues to suffer declines for its NCAA Tournament coverage, combined viewership across CBS and the Turner Sports networks has hit a nearly two-decade high.
Thursday’s coverage of the NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen averaged a combined 7.6 U.S. rating and 12.0 million viewers on CBS and TBS Thursday night, according to Nielsen fast-nationals, up 15% and 14%, respectively, from CBS coverage last year (6.6, 10.5M).
The 7.6 rating is the highest for the Thursday night Sweet Sixteen games since 1994 (8.2).
The first window of the night earned a combined 7.4 and 11.557 million viewers across CBS and TBS, up 23% in ratings and 19% in viewership from regional action on CBS last year (SYR/BUT or WSH/WVU: 6.0, 9.680M).
In particular, Connecticut’s win over San Diego State drew a 4.1 and 6.296 million viewers on CBS, down 31% and 35%, respectively, from last year’s aforementioned regional action. Over on TBS, BYU/Florida drew a 3.3 and 5.261 million viewers.
In the nightcap, CBS and TBS combined for a 7.8 and 12.418 million viewers, up 10% in ratings and viewership from last year’s regional coverage on CBS (KST/XAV or UK/COR: 7.1, 11.317M).
CBS’ Arizona/Duke game drew a 5.4 and 8.586 million viewers, down 24% in ratings and viewership from last year’s aforementioned regional coverage. On TBS, Butler/Wisconsin scored a 2.5 and 3.832 million.
Through Thursday’s action, the NCAA Tournament is averaging a combined 5.7 rating and 8.8 million viewers, up 14% in ratings and 13% in viewership from last year.
The 8.8 million viewers is the most through this point of the NCAA Tournament since 1994.
(Turner Sports; individual game numbers from TV By the Numbers, pifeedback.com)
