Once again, CBS/Turner saw some record numbers for the NCAA Tournament. yesterday’s numbers were the best for the opening Friday of the tournament dating back to 1991 when CBS took over the full rights for March Madness.
The four telecast windows averaged 8.4 million viewers which is the highest since 1991. CBS/Turner saw a combined rating of 5.7 with a 14 share.
Each of the four windows set milestones.
The early afternoon window averaged 5.8 million viewers, second best since 1991.
The late afternoon window garnered 7.7 million viewers, the best in 23 years and up 10% from last year.
In primetime, the first game saw 10.2 million viewers which is the second most-viewed window since 1991 and was up big from last year.
And the late primetime window also averaged 10.2 million viewers.
CBS/Turner has this to say about Friday’s numbers.
2014 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship Delivers Most-Viewed First Friday in 23 Years
Friday’s Live Coverage Averages 8.4 Million Total Viewers, Up 4%
NCAA Tournament Viewership Up 6% Through First Four Days vs. 2013; Most Viewed in 23 YearsCBS Sports and Turner Sports’ exclusive second-round coverage of the 2014 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship – across TBS, CBS, TNT and truTV on Friday, March 21 – is the most-viewed first Friday of the NCAA Tournament in 23 years. Friday’s games averaged 8.4 million total viewers, according to Nielsen Fast Nationals, up 4% compared with 2013 (8.1 million total viewers). The coverage earned a 5.7/14 U.S. HH rating.
Overall, through the first four days, the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship is averaging 8.2 million total viewers, up 6% over last year (7.7 million total viewers), and is the most-viewed start to the tournament since 1991 (when the tournament expanded to four telecast windows for the entire day). Through four days, the tournament is averaging a 5.5/13 U.S. HH rating.
Friday’s coverage showed viewership growth among the telecast windows.
- The first daytime telecast window averaged 5.8 million total viewers, the second highest viewership for the game window since 1991.
- The second daytime telecast window averaged 7.7 million total viewers, the highest viewership for the game window in 23 years (since 1991). The telecast window is up 10% compared with an average of 7.0 million total viewers last year.
- The first primetime telecast window averaged 10.2 million total viewers to garner the second most-viewed game window in 21 years (since 1993). The window is up 9% over an average of 9.4 million total viewers last year.
- The second primetime telecast window averaged 10.2 million total viewers to register the highest viewership for the game window in 23 years. The window is up 4% over an average of 9.8 million total viewers in 2013.
Collectively, second-round coverage on Thursday and Friday, March 20-21, averaged 8.5 million total viewers, the most-viewed second round in 23 years and a 5% increase over 2013 (8.1 million total viewers). The two days averaged a 5.7/13 U.S. HH rating, up 4% over last year (5.5/12 U.S. HH rating).
Source: Nielsen Media Research, Fast Nationals, Live +SD data stream through Round 2 of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. 3/18/14 to 03/21/13 vs. 03/19/13 to 03/22/13. 2013, 2012 and 2011 averages based on weighted average of 4 telecast gross across CBS, TBS, TNT and truTV. Historical audiences, CBS 1991 through 2005 based on Live data.
There you have it.
