Another night at the NCAA Tournament, this one for the Sweet Sixteen and again, having multiple platforms for the games, this time CBS and TBS gave the overall ratings another boost last night. Overall, the two networks received an average overnight rating of 8.6 with a 14 share. It means that these are the highest ratings since CBS received a 9.0/16 back in 1993 and that was a much different TV universe. Last night’s numbers are 28% higher than last year when CBS had exclusive rights.
Having two compelling games to begin the night on CBS/Turner certainly helped. These are absolutely stunning numbers. We have the press release from CBS/Turner.
CBS SPORTS’ AND TURNER SPORTS’ EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE OF THE 2011 NCAA® DIVISION I MEN’S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP DELIVERS HIGHEST OVERALL TOURAMENT RATINGS IN 18 YEARS
Thursday’s Regional Semi-Finals Score Best Ratings In 18 Years, Up +28% Over 2010
CBS Sports’ and Turner Sports’ exclusive live coverage of the 2011 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship across TBS, CBS, TNT and truTV combined to deliver the best overall tournament-to-date average ratings in the metered markets in 18 years (1993). The overall tournament average-to-date, including the FIRST FOUR®, in the metered markets is a 6.5/14, up +18% from a 5.5/12 for CBS Sports’ 2010 coverage according to Nielsen.
Coverage of the regional semi-finals on TBS and CBS on Thursday, March 24 combined to deliver an overnight household rating/share of 8.6/14, up +28% from a 6.7/12 for CBS Sports’ 2010 coverage, according to Nielsen.
The 8.6/14 was the highest rating for the Thursday regional semi-finals in the metered markets since a 9.0/16 in 1993.
The first telecast window of the night combined to earn an 8.5/14, up +37% from a 6.2/11 last year.
The second window of the night delivered an 8.7/15, up +21% from a 7.2/13 last year.
And that will do it. We’ll see if the ratings momentum continues as some marquee programs like Duke fell by the wayside. CBS will have the games exclusively from the Elite 8 through the Championship Game a week from Monday.
