Prime-time NCAA Tournament games average 12.2 million viewers, the most for the 1st round
The game ball sits on the court during the second half between Duke and Mount St. Mary's in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 21, 2025, in Raleigh, N.C. Credit: AP/Chris Carlson
NEW YORK — Thursday night's NCAA Tournament games were the most-watched prime-time first-round slate in March Madness history, averaging 12.2 million viewers across CBS, TNT, TBS and truTV.
The most-watched game in the prime-time window was Arkansas' 79-72 victory over Kansas on CBS.
The other early prime-time games were Tennessee-Wofford on TNT, Yale-Texas A&M on TBS and Drake-Missouri on truTV.
Three of the four games were competitive. Texas A&M didn't pull away from Yale until late in the second half, and 11th-seeded Drake topped No. 6 seed Missouri.
The nightcap on CBS was St. John's beating Omaha 83-53.
Overall, Thursday's 16 games averaged 9.1 million viewers, a 6% increase over last year.
The tournament through Thursday — including the First Four — is averaging 8.8 million, the most under the current format with 68 teams. That's is also an 8% jump over 2024.
