NCAA Tournament Ratings

[tornado]

So what's happening?

http://tvbythenumbers.com/2008/04/06/ncaa-mens-basketball-tv-ratings-1975-2007/2844

This year's semi's are also DOWN...
considering last year was near all time LOW record (see above link)

UCLA-Memphis semifinal...
"UCLA-Memphis game averaged a 7.2/16 in the early window, which spilled into primetime. That was down 14% compared to last year's"

KU-UNC semifinal...
"Kansas-North Carolina averaged an 8.8 overnight household rating compared to last year's 8.9/17 for the Florida-UCLA game (last year)"

"NCAA Tournament Continues Downward Trend"

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/television/news/e3iac100babad132e4d887374e2efe808dd

"Through 63 games of the tournament to date, CBS' telecast is down 8% with an average 5.4/12 compared to last year's 5.9/13."

[Murph]

Some really bad games would be my guess.

[mportsch]

Aren't TV ratings in general on a downward trend? The emergence of the internet as an entertainment medium seems to be a big reason. I'd be curious to see the ratings for the tournament when you combine TV, streaming internet video, and Tivo data. I have Tivo, and rarely watch anything live, and I'm not sure how that type of viewing is integrated into this data.

[BUBalum05]

Honestly, after the lack luster Final Four games, I don't know if I'm going to tune in tonight. Like someone said in a previous thread, it looks more like an NBA game than college. Probably the only saving grace CBS has going for me watching is that I usually watch CBS sitcoms on Monday night...gotta love How I Met Your Mother, Big Bang Theory, and Two and A Half Men.

[tornado]

Despite the hype, this year's NCAA Tournament will end up being the 2nd lowest rated in all of history.
The only lower one was 2003 when the coverage was "pre-empted at times by coverage of the Iraq War."

http://timesfreepress.com/news/2008/apr/08/knight-aided-vitale-riley-hall/

[daPAWW1]

Simple!

1. Same old teams - except Memphis!
2. No mid major cinderellas!
3. Officiating we never see in the regular season!
4. Same old 'talking morons' Billy Packer and Jim Nance!

Simple!

[BradleyBrave]

1. Same old teams - except Memphis!
2. No mid major cinderellas!
3. Officiating we never see in the regular season!
4. Same old 'talking morons' Billy Packer and Jim Nance!

Simple!

Great points dePAWW1. It's no coincidence that the KU-Davidson game was one of the highest rated games of the tournament. As much as the good ole BCS boys club doesn't want to hear it, people don't want the same teams from the same conferences every year. Money and TV ratings talk, and 2 straight years of the 'all-chalk' selection show and 'all-chalk' tournament fields should tell the NCAA that maybe, just maybe, they should stop listening to the good ole' boys and start actually giving the mids a fair shake when it comes to selecting teams for their tournament.

[TheAsianSensation]

You guys act like a midmajor would solve the ratings problem. It probably wouldn't. Also, as much as we're all mid major supporters, it does seem like some think it's a birthright for one mid major to always go deep in the tournament each year.

There's a difference between wanting an equal chance as the high majors to play for the title, and actually being good enough to win those games.

Of course, this statement only applies to some people, not all.

p.s. Wonder what last night's ratings was.

[MacabreMob]

Despite the hype, this year's NCAA Tournament will end up being the 2nd lowest rated in all of history.
The only lower one was 2003 when the coverage was "pre-empted at times by coverage of the Iraq War."
http://timesfreepress.com/news/2008/...le-riley-hall/

I thought 2003 was a great year... but that was because I was in a special fantasy league (a large buy-in) that year where 12 of us drafted 10 teams, winner determined by most wins from their teams, bonus money for Final 4 appearances in both NCAA and NIT as well as a bonus for National Champion. I had one BCS team which I drafted in the 1st round, then 1 CUSA team, 1 Mtn West team, and the rest mid or low majors. I got laughed at each round of the draft. Needless to say, I ran away with the league and nobody wanted to come back for more.

Anyway.... I thought 2004 was very lack-luster (UConn and Ga Tech).

[tornado]

The NCAA final game was also down from last year, contrary to the predictions of many.

http://www.mediaweek.com/mw/news/networktv/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003786851

For the night (Monday) CBS barely won the time slot as almost as many people watched
Dancing with the Stars as watched the Championship game.

http://tvbythenumbers.com/2008/04/08/nielsen-ratings-mon-april-7-cbs-and-kansas-win/3239

http://tvbythenumbers.com/2008/04/08/ncaa-mens-basketball-final-slightly-down-from-last-year/3252

Bring back Bird & Magic!

[Braves4Life]

Aren't TV ratings in general on a downward trend? The emergence of the internet as an entertainment medium seems to be a big reason. I'd be curious to see the ratings for the tournament when you combine TV, streaming internet video, and Tivo data. I have Tivo, and rarely watch anything live, and I'm not sure how that type of viewing is integrated into this data.

This is exactly the reason, IMO. More and more young people today are into the internet, video games, soccer, etc that they really could care less about watching a b-ball game on TV that does not involve their team. I don't think the ratings drop has anything at all to do with the teams involved, since for the most part you had big-time programs with a national fan base and still had the low ratings I'll address the exception (and probable rebuttal on Davidson below).

Great points dePAWW1. It's no coincidence that the KU-Davidson game was one of the highest rated games of the tournament. As much as the good ole BCS boys club doesn't want to hear it, people don't want the same teams from the same conferences every year. Money and TV ratings talk, and 2 straight years of the 'all-chalk' selection show and 'all-chalk' tournament fields should tell the NCAA that maybe, just maybe, they should stop listening to the good ole' boys and start actually giving the mids a fair shake when it comes to selecting teams for their tournament.

I can't argue that Davidson did boost ratings while they were involved but this is only since they were an anomoly; nobody knew who they were and everybody wanted to see this Curry kid. It's the same reason people watch hockey (for the fights), boxing (for the KO) NASCAR (for the wreck), Extreme Sports (for the unexpected).... If their was a "Davidson" all of the time then no one would have the interest in watching the "David vs. Goliath" that they currently do. Besides, load the tournament with too many mid-majors and the national audience doesn't care. I'll say it again, I think for the most part the selection committe did a fairly decent job this year. The reason there are never many mid-majors by the Elite - 8 is THAT THEY ARE NOT AS GOOD! Heck, just look at the comparison of roster between a KU and a Davidson -- it's this way all the way across the board. The BCS schools have a team FULL of 4 and 5 star players; most BCS schools have NONE.......

[tornado]

This is exactly the reason, IMO. More and more young people today are into the internet, video games, soccer, etc that they really could care less about watching a b-ball game
.......

I am not sure this argument convinces me, as there have always been options to watching TV such as doing homework, yardwork, farm chores, going out to dinner, as well as actually playing ball, going to movies, and other activities.

If you use the 'video game" argument, then just who is playing video games?
Women don't and men over 20 really don't either...only teenagers who wouldn't have been watching this game anyway!
Plus if the top college basketball game on TV all year long is losing viewers to a the internet or video games (things you can do anytime all year long) then I think that's the exact point I am making....that it simply is
NOT A DRAW!!
And even worse...virtually NOBODY watched the 3-pt and slam dunking festivities, wonder why???

It could become more of a draw if they get rid of Packer, get some decent broadcasters, stop the overly commercial push of putting logos on everything and running the same 3 or 4 commercials constantly, and get some teams & coaches that have broader appeal, and that have a more college-like atmosphere instead of the pro-wannabe appeal.

[Braves4Life]

It could become more of a draw if they get rid of Packer, get some decent broadcasters, stop the overly commercial push of putting logos on everything and running the same 3 or 4 commercials constantly, and get some teams & coaches that have broader appeal, and that have a more college-like atmosphere insterad of the pro-wannabe appeal.

That is certainly a point I can agree with

[MacabreMob]

Bottom line why ratings keep going down....

Places like Buffalo Wild Wings are becoming more and more popular.

[BUBalum05]

I think the season is getting stretched out too much. The tournament is March Madness, no mention of April. I don't think it helps that Opening Day of MLB is before the tournament is over now too. Too many things going on.

It was also great when the IHSA Class AA state finals were same weekend as the first/second round of the tournament. It made for some great basketball to be watched in Champaign then Peoria.