The NCAA Tournament, popularly known as March Madness, has surged to its most impressive television start in over a decade, with viewership climbing by 5% compared to last year. This marks the best opening since CBS and TNT commenced broadcasting all games in 2011, highlighting a significant uptick in audience engagement for the early stages of the competition.
Strong Opening Days for March Madness
According to Nielsen data, the tournament averaged 9.8 million viewers across the first three days, which included the First Four games on Tuesday and Wednesday, along with Thursday's opening round. This represents a notable 5% increase from the previous year, underscoring the growing appeal of the event.
Record-Breaking Primetime Performance
Thursday's first-round games, aired on CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV, drew an average of 9.8 million viewers, a 6% rise over last year. The primetime slot, featuring VCU's thrilling 82-78 victory over North Carolina, averaged 12.5 million viewers, setting a new record as the most-watched first-round window in NCAA Tournament history.
First Four Games Showcase Audience Growth
The First Four games on Tuesday and Wednesday accumulated a total of 7.5 million viewers on truTV. Notably, Miami (Ohio's) 89-79 win over SMU on Wednesday averaged 2.8 million viewers, making it the most-watched First Four game when hosted in Dayton, Ohio. This contrasts with the 2021 First Four, which was held across Indiana due to COVID-19 and scheduled on a Thursday.
The robust viewership figures reflect a resurgence in interest for college basketball's premier event, with early rounds capturing widespread attention and setting the stage for an exciting tournament ahead.
