The NCAA Tournament, a pinnacle of collegiate basketball excitement, experienced a notable uptick in viewership, with an overall increase of 3 percent compared to the previous year across all rounds. However, while the tournament’s conclusion provided captivating matchups and thrilling moments, the disparity in viewership between the men’s and women’s championship games stood out prominently.
In a historic turn of events, the women’s basketball final captured the nation’s attention as the undefeated South Carolina women’s team triumphed over Iowa, led by the standout performance of superstar Caitlin Clark. The game, broadcast on ABC and ESPN, drew an all-time high viewership of 18.87 million, marking the first time the women’s championship outdrew its male counterpart.
In contrast, the men’s championship game, featuring UConn’s victory over Purdue, unfolded in a late-night slot starting at 9:20 p.m. ET and airing on TNT, TBS, and truTV. While still attracting a substantial audience of 14.82 million viewers according to Nielsen, it fell short of the record-setting numbers seen in the women’s game. Nonetheless, it represented an increase from the previous year’s men’s final, which garnered 14.69 million viewers.
Despite the discrepancy in championship game viewership, the overall viewership for the men’s tournament displayed resilience, with a 3 percent increase compared to 2023. The tournament’s 67 games, featuring a mix of traditional powerhouses and emerging teams, provided fans with a captivating spectacle across CBS, TNT, truTV, and TBS, averaging a combined 9.9 million viewers.
Reflecting on recent ratings, the men’s championship game in 2022 between Kansas and North Carolina amassed 17.052 million viewers across TBS, TNT, and truTV. In 2021, the showdown between Baylor and Gonzaga garnered 16.922 million viewers on CBS. The cancellation of the 2020 tournament due to COVID-19 disrupted the streak of viewership records, but in 2019, the clash between Virginia and Texas Tech drew 19.630 million viewers on CBS.
The NCAA Tournament continues to captivate audiences with its blend of drama, athleticism, and raw emotion, showcasing the enduring appeal of college basketball on a national stage. As viewership trends evolve and narratives unfold, the tournament remains a cornerstone of sporting excellence, uniting fans in celebration of the game’s rich traditions and competitive spirit.
