Through its first two weeks, the 2013 NCAA Men's Basketball
Tournament is averaging 9.07 million viewers, according to Nielsen Fast
Nationals, up 11% over the same timeframe as last year and is the highest
average in 19 years.
Sunday's regional final coverage on CBS averaged 12.82
million viewers, up 31% from last year.
The first broadcast window (2:19-4:28 p.m. ET), in which
Michigan topped Florida, drew a 5.7 HH rating, up 14%. The second broadcast window (4:55-7:34 p.m.)
which featured Louisville beating Duke, registered an 8.8, up 24% over last
year. Over the whole day, Sunday's coverage rose 25% from last year with a 7.4.
The Final Four kicks off Saturday evening with
Louisville-Wichita State as the early game and Syracuse-Michigan tipping off 40
minutes after its conclusion.
