Yesterday, we learned that the combined CBS/Turner consortium received the best overnight ratings for the first Thursday of the NCAA Tournament in 20 years. Now, the first Friday of the NCAA Tournament under the new CBS/Turner regime has also garnered the highest overnight ratings since 1991. The ratings for Friday were 5.9 with a 14 share, up 31% from last year when CBS broadcast the games solo. Let’s take a look at the numbers for the first Friday and the Tournament to date from our friends at CBS/Turner and again, I thank them for sending the press releases so promptly and efficiently. It’s much appreciated, especially when you want the information quickly.
THE 2011 NCAA DIVISION I MEN’S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP ON CBS, TBS, TNT AND truTV SCORES HIGHEST OVERNIGHT RATINGS IN 20 YEARS FOR FIRST FRIDAY
OVERALL TOURNAMENT AVERAGE UP 22% OVER 2010
CBS Sports’ and Turner Sports’ exclusive second-round coverage of the 2011 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship across TBS, CBS, TNT and truTV on Friday, March 18 combined to deliver an overnight household rating/share of 5.9/14, up 31% from a 4.5/11 for CBS Sports’ 2010 coverage, according to Nielsen.
The 5.9/14 was the highest rating for the first Friday of the NCAA Tournament in the metered markets since 1991, when the tournament expanded to four telecast windows for the entire day.
The overall tournament average-to-date, including the FIRST FOUR, in the metered market is a 5.6/13, up +22% from a 4.6/11 over CBS Sports’ 2010 coverage. The 5.6/13 is the highest tournament-to-date rating at this point since 1991 when the Tournament expanded to four telecast windows on Thursday and Friday.
The first telecast window of the day (12:00 NOON-4:45 PM, ET) combined to earn a 4.7/15, up +62% from a 2.9/10 last year.
The second window of the day (3:00-7:00 PM, ET) delivered a 5.7/15, up +54% from a 3.7/11 last year.
The third telecast window of the day (7:00-9:30 PM, ET) delivered a 6.8/14, up +24% from a 5.5/11 in 2010.
Each of the first three windows delivered the highest rating in its window in the metered markets since the Tournament expanded to the four telecast windows in 1991.
And the final window of the day (9:15 PM-12:45 AM, ET) earned a 6.5/12, up +12% from a 5.8/11 last year.
We should see the final numbers later today. When they become available, you’ll see them here.
