Through three days of the NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Tournament, CBS reports that ratings are up from a year ago. The average overnight rating is up 4% from 2008 in Nielsen’s metered markets.
Based on overnight data, CBS Sports’ exclusive coverage of the first three days of the 2009 NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Championship has earned an average overnight household rating/share of 5.1/11, up +4% from a 4.9/11 in 2008 in the metered markets.
On Saturday, March 21 the overall average metered market rating/share was a 6.3/14, up +5% from a 6.0/13 last year.
The final broadcast window of the day which saw Duke and Gonzaga advance in close games (8:15-10:45 PM, ET), earned a 7.2/13, up +20% from a 6.0/11 in 2008. The 7.2/13 was the best rating in the broadcast window since a 7.8/13 in 2005.
The third broadcast window of the day, (5:45-8:15 PM, ET) featuring wins by North Carolina, Oklahoma and Purdue delivered a 7.5/16, up +17% from a 6.4/12 last year.
The network’s coverage of the first-round on Thursday, March 19 (12:15-5:15 PM, ET, and 7:00 PM-12:15 AM, ET) earned an average overnight household rating/share of 4.7/10. The 4.7/10 was up +9% from a 4.3/10 for the first day last year. The ratings/share for the first-round on Friday, March 20 was a 4.6/11, even with last year.
