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last mo.

NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship Hits Six-Year Ratings High

Florida’s dramatic victory over Houston averaged 18.1 million viewers, peaking at 21.1 million, as the tournament continues its upward viewership trend.

Apr 7, 2025; San Antonio, TX, USA; Houston Cougars guard Emanuel Sharp (21) loses the ball as he attempts to shoot against Florida Gators guard Walter Clayton Jr. (1) in the second half in the national championship game of the Final Four of the 2025 NCAA Tournament at the Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images
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Data: ESPN via Nielsen; Chart: Axios Visuals

Overview

  • The men's championship game between Florida and Houston averaged 18.1 million viewers on CBS, marking the highest viewership since 2019.
  • Viewership peaked at 21.1 million during the game's final moments, showcasing strong audience engagement with the nail-biting conclusion.
  • The three Final Four games averaged 16.4 million viewers, the highest in eight years and a 21% increase over last year.
  • Overall, the 2025 NCAA men’s tournament averaged 10.2 million viewers across CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV, reflecting a 3% rise from 2024.
  • The women’s championship game between UConn and South Carolina averaged 8.6 million viewers on ABC, down significantly from last year’s record-breaking matchup featuring Caitlin Clark.