• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, July 16, 2025

March Madness, WBC Headline Massive Weekend of Viewership

  • Sunday evening’s upset victory for Michigan State over Marquette led the way with 10.9M average viewers.
  • Saturday’s World Baseball Classic quarterfinal between the U.S. and Venezuela drew 2.2M average viewers.
A Michigan State basketball player drives the rim against Marquette in the men's March Madness tournament.
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

A huge weekend across the sports landscape saw viewers glued to their televisions — leading to huge numbers.

As expected, men’s March Madness dominated the weekend. Sunday evening’s upset victory for Michigan State over Marquette took the top spot, averaging an enormous 10.9 million viewers for a 5.86 rating, per ShowBuzzDaily.

https://twitter.com/FOS/status/1638171876026466305

That game and the next six top-viewed games were all broadcast on CBS.

  • Arkansas vs. Kansas: 9.5M on Saturday evening
  • Kentucky vs. Kansas State: 9.4M on Sunday afternoon
  • Duke vs. Tennessee: 8.9M on Saturday afternoon
  • Penn State vs. Texas: 6.6M on Saturday night
  • Pitt vs. Xavier: 5.5M on Sunday afternoon
  • Furman vs. San Diego State: 4.8M on Saturday afternoon

Despite Fairleigh Dickinson becoming just the second 16-seed ever to beat a No. 1 when it took down Purdue, the game was not able to crack the top seven, pulling in 4.4 million average viewers — though it was Friday night’s most-watched game and the most for a cable network throughout the weekend (TNT).

The most-watched women’s game was Sunday’s Georgia-Iowa game on ABC, attracting 1.5 million average viewers — roughly on par with LSU and South Carolina’s showdown in February that was the most-watched women’s regular-season game since 2010.

The entire women’s first round was up 27% compared with last year, for an average of 257,000 viewers, ESPN announced.

Mar 16, 2023; Orlando, FL, USA; Furman Paladins guard Marcus Foster (5) celebrates after defeating the Virginia Cavaliers at Amway Center.

March Madness Opener Draws Best TV Numbers In 8 Years

Furman’s upset of Arizona in the first round helped boost ratings.
March 17, 2023

Meanwhile, despite going head-to-head with the first weekend of March Madness, the World Baseball Classic also continued to put up strong numbers.

Saturday’s quarterfinal between the United States and Venezuela drew 2.2 million average viewers, while Sunday’s semifinal between the U.S. and Cuba drew 1.9 million on average, both more than the United States’ opener against Great Britain, which drew 1.6 million — making it the most-watched WBC opening-round game since 2009.

Japan continues to draw monster numbers in its own country: 62 million tuned in for its matchup with South Korea — more than any World Series game in history.

Japan’s dramatic victory over Mexico in the semifinals on Monday night sets up an epic final against the United States on Tuesday night — which could end up being the most-watched baseball game of all time.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Jul 15, 2025; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; National League designated hitter Kyle Schwarber (12) of the Philadelphia Phillies hits a home run in the swing off of after the 2025 MLB All Star Game ended in a tie at Truist Park.

MLB All-Star Game Viewership Dips Despite Historic Swing-Off

Game viewership falls 3% despite late dramatics in the unique tiebreaker.
Mar 31, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier (2) drives to the basket against Washington Wizards guard AJ Johnson (5) during the first quarter at Capital One Arena.

Terry Rozier’s Attorney Confirms He’s Still Under Federal Gambling Probe

Rozier finished the season playing for the Heat despite the federal probe.

WNBA Attendance at Record Pace Entering All-Star Weekend

The Valkyries have sold out all 11 of their home games.
Apr 8, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal (3) reacts during the first half against the Golden State Warriors at Footprint Center.

Bradley Beal Agrees to Suns Buyout, Will Join Clippers

Beal is the latest star player to leave Phoenix behind Kevin Durant.

Featured Today

2025 PDC World Darts Championship Final - Luke Littler vs Michael Van Gerwen

A Teen Darts Prodigy Is Becoming Bigger Than the Game Itself

Luke ‘The Nuke’ Littler is cashing in on his devastatingly accurate shot.
May 31, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Sydney McLaughin-Levrone (USA) reacts before the women's 100m hurdles during the Grand Slam Track Philadelphia at Franklin Field
exclusive
July 13, 2025

Track’s New Money Is Running Into Old Problems

The sport’s big-money era has hit some speed bumps in 2025.
Bobbleheads are seen at Vintage Indy Sports, Tuesday, April 29, 2025 in Speedway. The local sports memorabilia store opened recently.
July 12, 2025

Baseball’s Bobbleheads Are the Center of the Collectibles Universe

Baseball’s most important keepsake drives long lines—and big business.
Rimouski, QC - JUNE 1: Final Game of the 2025 Memorial Cup between the Medicine Hats Tigers and the London Knights on June 1, 2025, at the Colisée Financière Sun Life in Rimouski, Qc.
July 11, 2025

CHL Is Facing a ‘Pandora’s Box’ of Questions Amid NCAA Talent Departure

As players defect to college, the Canadian Hockey League won’t cede ground.

MLB Home Run Derby Draws 5.7M Viewers on ESPN, Up 5%

ESPN reverses the trend from last year and registers audience growth.
Brittney Griner and Caitlin Clark
exclusive
July 15, 2025

‘Good Morning America’ Will Air From WNBA All-Star in First

The All-Star Game’s relevance has exploded with the league in recent years.
July 15, 2025

WNBA Hits Fourth-Highest ABC Viewership With Clark-Bueckers Duel

Clark missed the first Fever vs. Wings game with an injury.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
NBC Sports
exclusive
July 14, 2025

NBC Hiring Ex-Hawks Exec Grant Liffmann As NBA Front Office Insider

Liffmann spent the last three years with Atlanta after covering the Warriors.
F1
July 11, 2025

F1 ‘Poised’ to Choose Apple Money Over ESPN Reach

Formula One looks to be changing lanes.
Jul 10, 2025; Wimbledon, United Kingdom; Iga Swiatek of Poland at her on court interview after winning her match against Belinda Bencic of Switzerland on day 11 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.
July 10, 2025

Wimbledon Set to Deliver Strong Finals Matchup for ESPN

Novak Djokovic is still in the hunt for his 25th Grand Slam.
Paige Bueckers
exclusive
July 8, 2025

Women’s March Madness Expansion Wouldn’t Yield More ESPN Money

ESPN is not required to pay extra if women’s March Madness expands.