Kentuucky/Wisconsin, Highest CBB Cable TV Ratings Ever

[Tugg Speedman]

This was all about Kentucky's perfect season as the previous record was the week before when Kentucky played ND..
I would not be shocked (not predicting) if tonight's finals have a lower rating.

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Kentucky, Wisconsin make cable television history at Final Four

http://www.sportingnews.com/ncaa-basketball/story/2015-04-05/kentucky-wisconsin-final-four-tv-ratings-tbs-michigan-state-duke-march-madness

Kentucky basketball has been a catalyst for massive TV audiences all season in its pursuit of perfection, and the Wildcats' Elite Eight battle with Notre Dame last weekend made cable television history. Those historic ratings were short-lived.

Last weekend's record was broken Saturday night as Wisconsin toppled Kentucky. According to Turner, CBS Sports and Turner's combined coverage of the game drew an average overnight rating/share of 13.3/24, the highest rating for a college basketball game in the history of cable television and the highest rating for a Final Four game in 22 years (13.8/24 in 1993).

MORE: Badgers end UK's bid | Kentucky's wounds run deep | Duke advances to title game

According to Turner's release, the combined coverage of both national semifinals saw a significant increase over last year's numbers:

   The NCAA Final Four National Semifinals doubleheader – including Duke vs. Michigan State – averaged an 11.4/22 overnight rating/share to register as the highest average overnight rating for the doubleheader in 20 years (11.6/22 in 1995).  Last night's National Semifinals are up 39% over last year.

NCAA March Madness Live, the online streaming service for the NCAA Tournament, has also already set all-time records. From Turner:

   NCAA March Madness Live has garnered more than 77 million live video streams and 16.8 million live hours of video consumption through Saturday's National Semifinals, both all-time records.   This year's live streams are up 15% over last year, with live hours of video consumed up 17%.  Yesterday, NCAA March Madness Live delivered a record-setting six million live video streams and 1.5 million live hours of consumption for the National Semifinals, up 59% and 53%, respectively.

While Kentucky is now eliminated, Monday's national title game between Duke and Wisconsin should still be able to draw another large audience to cap off a historic year for NCAA Tournament TV coverage.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Ratings last night were the highest since 1997 title game I believe, Arizona over Kentucky.

[Tugg Speedman]

@darrenrovell: Duke-Wisconsin final averages 28.3M viewers, highest in 18 years. College FB playoff title game had 33.3M viewers.

[79Warrior]

@darrenrovell: Duke-Wisconsin final averages 28.3M viewers, highest in 18 years. College FB playoff title game had 33.3M viewers.

Who said College Basketball was unwatchable?

[🏀]

Who said College Basketball was unwatchable?

Different argument.

[MUfan12]

Different argument.

Exactly. The tournament is always gonna draw viewers. The issue is making the product good enough that people watch before March.

[CTWarrior]

As much as I hate seeing the same teams over and over again, when you get the best teams playing each other at the end it makes for the best watching nationally.  The final four contained 3 real powerhouses and a coach who always is good in March.  You had a team going for an undefeated season in the semis and two of the top 3 or 4 teams in the country playing in the final.  That is probably attractive to the casual sports fan.

Heck, I even missed the Better Call Saul season finale so I could watch a game between two teams I don't like because I expected to see a great game.

[bradley center bat]

http://www.sportsmediawatch.com/2015/04/final-four-ratings-duke-wisconsin-most-watched-national-championship-since-1997-cbs-ncaa-tournament-march-madness/

It was not able to match the Ohio State/Oregon College Football National Championship Game in January, which drew an 18.9 overnight on ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNEWS (18.5 on ESPN alone).

Milwaukee was the top market for Monday's game with a 42.2 rating. Raleigh-Durham ranked second with a 36.2, up 15% from a 31.6 for Duke/Butler in 2010. Louisville (33.5), Columbus, OH (29.9) and Greensboro-High Point-Winston Salem (29.5) rounded out the top five.

[LloydsLegs]

http://www.sportsmediawatch.com/2015/04/final-four-ratings-duke-wisconsin-most-watched-national-championship-since-1997-cbs-ncaa-tournament-march-madness/

It was not able to match the Ohio State/Oregon College Football National Championship Game in January, which drew an 18.9 overnight on ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNEWS (18.5 on ESPN alone).

Milwaukee was the top market for Monday's game with a 42.2 rating. Raleigh-Durham ranked second with a 36.2, up 15% from a 31.6 for Duke/Butler in 2010. Louisville (33.5), Columbus, OH (29.9) and Greensboro-High Point-Winston Salem (29.5) rounded out the top five.

This is what you get when you combine a lotta Badger lovers with MU Nation hate watching HQ, eh?