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March Madness 2022: Viewership for NCAA Tournament at its highest in years
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The first four days of the NCAA Tournament is always one of the best stretches in sports. It’s an event everyone wants to watch — even if it means delaying production at work.
This year is no exception, and in fact, networks that aired the first two rounds of March Madness are seeing an increase in viewership this year. A statement was released regarding television ratings on Tuesday.
According to the report, the first four days of the NCAA Tournament averaged 9.119 million viewers across CBS, TBS, TNT and truTV. That is up 12% from the 2021 tournament.
2022 NCAA Men's Tournament Delivering Best Start in Five Years, Averaging 9.119 Million Viewers Across TBS, CBS, TNT & truTV and Up 12% vs. 2021 pic.twitter.com/mb1jj3Ni2W
— March Madness Men’s Basketball TV (@MM_MBB_TV) March 22, 2022
The statement also says that the first two rounds were the most-watched for the networks in the last five years.
So far, the tournament has not disappointed. We’ve seen stellar individual performances, thrilling finishes and major upsets through the first two rounds of March Madness. Plus, after seeing the 2020 tournament canceled and having last year’s event played in front of a limited crowd, it’s nice to have fans back at full capacity.
That certainly adds an element of entertainment to the entire tournament.
Coverage will continue this week as teams will compete in the Sweet 16 and Elite 8. Sweet 16 games are scheduled for Thursday and Friday. Winners will advance to play in the Elite 8 on Saturday and Sunday.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB