The women's NCAA championship game recently made history by attracting a larger television audience than the men's title game for the first time. The game saw an average of 18.9 million viewers tuning in to witness undefeated South Carolina triumph over Iowa, led by standout player Caitlin Clark. This viewership surpassed the men's final between UConn and Purdue by four million, with the women's game airing on ABC and ESPN on a Sunday afternoon, while the men's final was broadcast on TBS and TNT the following day.
The women's championship game, where the Gamecocks secured their fourth national title, reached a peak viewership of 24.1 million during the final 15 minutes. This event marked the second most-watched non-Olympic women's sporting event on U.S. television, trailing only the 2015 Women's World Cup final between the United States and Japan.
The growth in viewership for women's basketball has been attributed to various factors, including the quality of the product and increased exposure. The audience for the national title game was up 90% compared to the previous year, showcasing a significant surge in interest. The rise in viewership has been a positive trend for women's sports overall, with increased attention on other disciplines such as softball, gymnastics, and volleyball.
As standout players like Caitlin Clark transition to the WNBA, there are concerns about sustaining the momentum in women's college basketball. However, the emergence of talented freshmen and ongoing efforts to promote the game offer hope for continued growth. Networks like Fox, NBC, and CBS have played a role in boosting the visibility of women's basketball through increased coverage during the regular season.
Looking ahead, plans for events like the Women's Champions Classic and continued strategic promotion are expected to further enhance the appeal of women's college basketball. The recent success of the tournament has set a positive trajectory for the future, with a focus on showcasing the talent and competitiveness of the game to a broader audience.
