Many have written about the dichotomy of the NCAA’s two Division I basketball tournaments this year. The women’s tournament set viewership records, while the men’s tournament concluded with the least-watched championship game in history.
Given the Final Four field for the men, Richard Deitsch says that even if the network isn’t happy, CBS probably was not surprised.
“The CBS Sports television executives charged with broadcasting the men’s NCAA basketball tournament have always been honest about the television realities of the tournament,” he wrote for The Athletic. “What makes the opening rounds great is when Cinderella advances. But at a certain point in the tournament, when it comes to historical television viewership, you want teams that are proven TV draws.”
Brand power rules the day, but some star power could have helped.
“Along with major upsets and one very unlikely finalist, the title game lacked any player projected in the lottery of this year’s NBA Draft,” Deitsch added. The combination of no team like Kentucky, North Carolina or Duke and no player basketball fans felt like they needed to see was a perfect storm. It may not be a sign of the NCAA Tournament’s overall popularity and value declining.
Deitsch noted that there is one bright spot for CBS.
“Look for CBS and Warner Bros. Discovery Sports to put out a big press release in April 2024 when the viewership numbers jump big from this year.”
