Men's NCAA tournament averaging 10.3 million viewers, its most-watched since 1993
UConn guard Braylon Mullins (24) reacts with teammates after scoring the winning basket against Duke in the Elite Eight of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Sunday, March 29, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) (Abbie Parr, Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)
NEW YORK – The men's NCAA tournament is averaging 10.3 million viewers through the Elite Eight, according to Nielsen. That is the tournament's best audience since 1993 and a 9% increase over last year.
UConn's last-second 73-72 victory over Duke in the East Region final averaged 13.4 million on CBS. The audience peaked at 18.9 million when Braylon Mullins sank a desperation 3-pointer with 0.4 seconds left.
Friday's early window with Duke-St.John's on CBS and Michigan-Alabama on TBS/truTV averaged 14.2 million, the most-watched Friday regional early window since 1992.
The Final Four and title game will be on TBS, TNT and truTV.
The women's NCAA tournament on ESPN's networks and ABC is averaging 789,000 viewers through Saturday's Sweet 16 games. That is a 1% decrease from last year.
Ratings for Sunday and Monday's regional finals are expected to be available on Wednesday.
___
AP March Madness bracket: https://apnews.com/hub/ncaa-mens-bracket and coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness
Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Jacksonville Jaguars fans react to NFL's decision to move team for 2027 season ▶ 1:00
Jacksonville Jaguars fans react to NFL's decision to move team for 2027 season
Truckers feel pinch at pump as diesel hits more than $5 in Florida ▶ 0:33
Truckers feel pinch at pump as diesel hits more than $5 in Florida
Big news: The Jaguars are going to Orlando in 2027! ▶ 1:37
Big news: The Jaguars are going to Orlando in 2027!
It's time to harvest. Learning from mistakes, starting round two and little leaves for BIG salads ▶ 4:55
It's time to harvest. Learning from mistakes, starting round two and little leaves for BIG salads
JSO data shows Atlantic Blvd., where deadly crash occurred, is not a ‘high-frequency crash’ area ▶ 1:34
JSO data shows Atlantic Blvd., where deadly crash occurred, is not a ‘high-frequency crash’ area
One wrong move: The sometimes-life-threatening reality inside Jacksonville’s road work zones ▶ 1:18
One wrong move: The sometimes-life-threatening reality inside Jacksonville’s road work zones
Judge weights how to schedule Fernandez, Gardner trials amid jury selection ▶ 1:02
Judge weights how to schedule Fernandez, Gardner trials amid jury selection
🏡✨ Ready to find your dream home? ▶ 1:24
🏡✨ Ready to find your dream home?
Fake Instagram account created by high school students leads to former DCPS police officer’s arrest ▶ 1:04
Fake Instagram account created by high school students leads to former DCPS police officer’s arrest
The Jags are about to get a new 'home away from home' for 2027 ▶ 0:56
The Jags are about to get a new 'home away from home' for 2027
Woman found fatally shot in front yard of home on Jacksonville’s Westside ▶ 1:14
Woman found fatally shot in front yard of home on Jacksonville’s Westside
Lawmakers hope new law spurs affordable housing, but some say it weakens local government control ▶ 1:05
Lawmakers hope new law spurs affordable housing, but some say it weakens local government control
‘Crash zone’: Northside neighbors demand action on dangerous curve ▶ 0:40
‘Crash zone’: Northside neighbors demand action on dangerous curve
Woman found fatally shot in front yard of home on Jacksonville’s Westside ▶ 1:19
Woman found fatally shot in front yard of home on Jacksonville’s Westside
Meet our March Positively JAX winner: Waste Not Florida 💙♻️ ▶ 0:33
Meet our March Positively JAX winner: Waste Not Florida 💙♻️
Florida court shuts down online gift card business based in Ponte Vedra, imposes over $800K in fines ▶ 0:51
Florida court shuts down online gift card business based in Ponte Vedra, imposes over $800K in fines
Cashless touchscreens replace parking kiosks in downtown St. Augustine ▶ 0:42
Cashless touchscreens replace parking kiosks in downtown St. Augustine
DNA test connects Clay County Navy veteran to WWII POW missing for over 80 years ▶ 0:48
DNA test connects Clay County Navy veteran to WWII POW missing for over 80 years
Loved ones say farewell to 23-year-old JFRD engineer who died in crash ▶ 0:47
Loved ones say farewell to 23-year-old JFRD engineer who died in crash
St. Augustine replacing downtown parking kiosks with cashless touchscreens ▶ 0:57
St. Augustine replacing downtown parking kiosks with cashless touchscreens
Loved ones mourn Jacksonville father of 4 killed in apartment shooting ▶ 1:00
Loved ones mourn Jacksonville father of 4 killed in apartment shooting
Hundreds participate in Jacksonville ‘No Kings’ rally against Trump administration ▶ 1:47
Hundreds participate in Jacksonville ‘No Kings’ rally against Trump administration
Family, friends honor man who was fatally shot during a road rage incident on Edgewood Avenue ▶ 1:02
Family, friends honor man who was fatally shot during a road rage incident on Edgewood Avenue
Flagler College students protest housing policy as seniors cite affordability, availability concerns ▶ 0:52
Flagler College students protest housing policy as seniors cite affordability, availability concerns
It's a great day for Jumbo Shrimp baseball! Join us tonight for the home opening weekend ▶ 0:56
It's a great day for Jumbo Shrimp baseball! Join us tonight for the home opening weekend
Previous photo Next photo
