NCAA Tournament has best opening week on record, averaging 10.1 million viewers

NCAA Tournament has best opening week on record, averaging 10.1 million viewers The NCAA Tournament had its best first week on record, averaging 10.1 million viewers through the second round across CBS, TBS, TNT and truTV By The Associated Press March 24, 2026, 8:39 PM The NCAA Tournament had its best first week on record, averaging 10.1 million viewers through the second round across CBS, TBS, TNT and truTV. Tournament viewership is up 7% from last year, according to Nielsen. CBS and TNT began showing all of the games in 2011 after CBS had done early rounds in regional windows from 1991 through 2010. The first round on Thursday and Friday averaged 9.5 million viewers — a 9% increase — while the second round on Saturday and Sunday averaged 11 million. That is the most-viewed second round since 1993 and a 7% jump from last year. Sunday's early prime-time window, featuring St. John's-Kansas on CBS, Iowa-Florida on TBS and Virginia-Tennessee on TNT, averaged 19.7 million, making it the most-watched window in tournament history for the first week. Popular Reads State Dept. says Americans should 'exercise increased caution' Mar 22, 8:29 PM Iran live updates: Up to 1,500 troops to deploy to Middle East, source says 1 hour ago Plane traveling 93-105 mph at time of ground collision at LaGuardia Airport Mar 23, 7:05 PM ___ AP March Madness: https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness Sponsored Content by Taboola Popular Reads State Dept. says Americans should 'exercise increased caution' Mar 22, 8:29 PM Plane traveling 93-105 mph at time of ground collision at LaGuardia Airport Mar 23, 7:05 PM Iran live updates: Up to 1,500 troops to deploy to Middle East, source says 1 hour ago Quadruple amputee cornhole champion facing murder charges in fatal shooting 29 minutes ago ABC News Live 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events