The first three days of the NCAA Tournament saw record ratings, but the momentum took a hit on Sunday due to blowout games. The tournament is currently averaging 9.07 million viewers across CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV, a slight increase from last year's average at this point.
Up to Saturday, the tournament had an average viewership of 9.0 million, marking it as the most-watched through that stage. However, Sunday's games saw an 8% decrease from last year, with an average of 8.91 million viewers. The games had an average winning margin of 18.9 points, with notable blowouts like Duke's 93-55 victory over James Madison and Purdue's 106-67 win against Utah State, both aired on CBS.
Saturday's eight second-round games were a highlight, averaging 10.8 million viewers, making it the most-watched second round Saturday in tournament history. The Michigan State-North Carolina game, where the Tar Heels won 85-59, drew 10.02 million viewers, the most-watched second-round Saturday game since Kentucky-Indiana in 2016.
The first round on Thursday averaged 8.5 million viewers, the highest since 2015, while Friday's games averaged 8.6 million, just behind last year's 8.8 million.
Looking ahead, CBS and TNT Sports are optimistic about regaining momentum during the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight rounds. With all four top seeds still in the running and several traditional powerhouse programs in contention, the upcoming games are expected to draw significant viewership.
For more information and to stay updated on the AP March Madness bracket and coverage, visit here and here.
