• Loading stock data...
Friday, September 5, 2025
Fox Analyst and Media Entrepreneur Greg Olsen to Speak at Tuned In Get your ticket now!

Women’s Final Four Delivers Nearly 4M Viewers, Still 64% Drop

The two matchups drew 3.9 million viewers, the third-most-watched semifinal in history, but still down from 10.8 million last year.

Apr 4, 2025; Tampa, FL, USA; Connecticut Huskies guard Paige Bueckers (5) and forward Sarah Strong (21) react on the bench during the fourth quarter in a semifinal of the women's 2025 NCAA tournament against the UCLA Bruins at Amalie Arena.
Nathan Ray Seebeck/Imagn Images

It’s a mixed bag for the women’s Final Four ratings. The two games Friday drew an average of 3.9 million viewers on ESPN. It marks the third-most-watched Final Four in history—but the figure was also down 64% from last year’s average of about 10.8 million viewers.

In a year without the Caitlin Clark Effect of 2024, the dip is not surprising. Compared to 2023, every other round of this year’s tournament surpassed viewership significantly, yet the Final Four was still down around 14% from the 4.54 million average from 2023.

Blowouts didn’t help the figures.

UConn vs. UCLA drew 4.1 million viewers at the 9 p.m. ET timeslot. But the game was a rout from the beginning: The Huskies’ 34-point win was the largest in Final Four history; the Bruins did not taste the lead at any point in the game.

Texas vs. South Carolina, which averaged 3.6 million viewers, was closer for a longer stretch as the Gamecocks were up just three against the Longhorns entering the half. But South Carolina opened up the game in the third quarter after limiting Texas to just nine points, and the game appeared decided early in the fourth.

However, with South Carolina and UConn headed to the championship game, NCAA and broadcast partner ESPN has likely the best match-up it could’ve hoped for to draw viewers. 

The national title game probably will not match the record-setting 18.9 million Iowa–South Carolina brought in last year. A more apt barometer might be the 9.9 million from Iowa vs. LSU in 2023, or the 4.9 million viewers that watched UConn and South Carolina brought in the last time they played in the finals in 2022.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Mar 28, 2025; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer leaves his court side seat after a game against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center.

‘They Conned Me’: Ballmer Responds to Kawhi Leonard Allegations

Ballmer talked on SportsCenter about the allegations he broke NBA rules.

State of Connecticut Submits Bid for Minority Ownership of Sun 

The bid would value the Connecticut Sun above $250 million.

Featured Today

Dec 21, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) gets ready to take the field prior to a game against the Houston Texans at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.

How Brazil Game Fits Into NFL’s Plans for World Domination

Friday night’s Chiefs-Chargers game in São Paulo is big by design.
Oct 13, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) and wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) celebrate their touchdown pass during the second quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Lincoln Financial Field.
September 2, 2025

TV Ratings Just Changed Again. The NFL Will Be the Big Winner

Nielsen’s new viewership system will have a big impact on sports.
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) celebrates with offensive lineman Donovan Jackson (74) after a touchdown catch against Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the first quarter during the College Football Playoff National Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on January 20, 2025.
August 30, 2025

The Most Expensive Roster Year in College Football History

The House settlement created revenue-sharing—and a big NIL loophole.
August 26, 2025

‘You’re Going to Get Beat Up’: The Liberty’s All-Male Practice Squad

A select group suits up weekly to take on the defending champs.

TNT Sports to Try Its Own Streaming App After WBD Split

TNT Sports will have its own app as a corporate split approaches.
September 4, 2025

3 ABC Games Top 10M Viewers Each in ESPN’s Record CFB Weekend

Miami–Notre Dame led the way with 10.8 million viewers.
Eagles
September 4, 2025

The Death of Streameast Has Been Greatly Exaggerated

Mirror sites began popping up Thursday, the day the NFL season begins.
Sponsored

Trailblazer Cal Calamia Is Racing for ‘Advocacy, Storytelling, and Performance’

The marathoner wants excellence—not just inclusion—to be the goal for non-binary athletes.
September 4, 2025

Bill Belichick’s UNC Debut Draws More Than 6M Viewers on ESPN

TCU-UNC was the fifth-most-watched college football game of Week 1.
September 3, 2025

Ohio State–Texas Showdown Was Most-Watched Week 1 CFB Game Ever

Fox drew 16.62 million viewers on Saturday afternoon.
September 2, 2025

NFL on Nielsen’s Latest Measurement Upgrade: ‘More Work to Be Done’

The league calls its relationship with the agency a “protracted journey.”
September 1, 2025

Lee Corso’s Farewell Delivers Record ‘College GameDay’ Viewership

ESPN averaged 3.5 million viewers, per preliminary figures.