TV Ratings: NCAA Basketball Championships Net Gains vs. 2025
Both the men’s title game on TNT Sports and the women’s matchup on ABC and ESPN grow year to year.
A pair of powerhouse matchups in the NCAA basketball championships resulted in big audiences for the men’s and women’s finals. Both games showed year-to-year ratings gains — which is particularly notable for the men’s side, as Monday’s final aired on TNT Sports rather than CBS; the broadcast network’s years with the title game typically bring in larger audiences. Michigan’s 69-63 win over Connecticut Monday night averaged 18.
3 million viewers on TBS, TNT and TruTV, up a little from the 18. 1 million who watched the 2025 title game on CBS (with the caveat that Nielsen has added a big data component to its ratings measurement this season). Monday’s telecast improved by about 23 percent over the last time TNT Sports carried the championship in 2024 and was the most watched men’s title game since 2019.
More from The Hollywood Reporter ESPN Launches in Europe and Asia-Pacific on Disney+ Nike Drops Limited-Edition UCLA Winners Merch for Women's March Madness Champs UConn Huskies vs. Michigan Wolverines: Where to Watch NCAA Men's National Championship Game Live Online The women’s championship game Sunday afternoon on ABC and ESPN, meanwhile, delivered 9. 88 million viewers who watched UCLA thump South Carolina, 79-51.
The game grew about 16 percent from 8. 5 million viewers last year and finished as the third most-watched women’s final on record, behind the record-setting 2024 game (18. 87 million viewers) and just off the 9.