Fang's Bites

TBS Begins Airing The NCAA Final Four Next Year

This coming from the CBS/Turner Sports NCAA Tournament consortium. Starting next year, TBS will get a bigger role in March Madness. It will split the Regional Finals with CBS and for the next two years, air the National Semifinal games while CBS airs the National Championship Game. Then in 2016, TBS will both the Final Four and National Championship. CBS will get the events the following year and then the two networks will alternate carrying Final Four weekend until 2024 when the current TV contract ends.

Something like this had been expected. So 2013 marks the end of CBS’ 32 year run of airing the Final Four and National Championship exclusively. When Turner signed on as a partner in 2011, it said it wanted to air the Final Four, not just take the early rounds, so it will finally achieve that goal next season.

At least for 2014 and 2015, I would expect the announcing team of Jim Nantz, Clark Kellogg and Steve Kerr to remain on the Final Four and National Championship with Turner making a tweak when it gets the weekend exclusively in 2016.

Here’s the press release.

CBS SPORTS AND TURNER SPORTS ANNOUNCE PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE FOR 2014 AND 2015 NCAA FINAL FOUR^® AND NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES

TBS to Televise NCAA FINAL FOUR^® National Semi-Final Games and
CBS Sports to Broadcast National Championship Games
CBS and TBS to Split ‘Elite Eight’ Coverage Beginning Next Year
TBS to Televise 2016 FINAL FOUR and National Championship Game and
CBS to Broadcast 2017 FINAL FOUR and National Championship Game, Alternating Through 2024

CBS Sports and Turner Sports have announced the programming schedule for their exclusive joint television coverage of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship in 2014 and 2015. In each of the two years, TBS will televise the NCAA Final Four national semi-finals and CBS will broadcast the NCAA National Championship game.

Additionally, beginning in 2014 through 2024, coverage of the Regional Semi-finals and Regional Finals games will be split by TBS and CBS. Earlier round coverage of the tournament will continue to be televised across four national television networks – CBS, TBS, TNT and truTV with the First Four® airing exclusively on truTV.

In 2010, Turner Sports and CBS Sports entered into a 14-year exclusive media rights partnership with the NCAA to present the Division I Men’s Basketball Championship from 2011-2024. As part of that agreement, CBS Sports and Turner Sports will alternate coverage of the Final Four national semi-final games and National Championship game between TBS and CBS. The rotation begins on TBS with the network televising the Final Four and National Championship in 2016 with CBS broadcasting the games in 2017.

“Since the inception of our partnership, I don’t think we could have envisioned such a seamless collaboration between our two companies both in front of and behind the cameras,” said David Levy, president of Sales, Distribution and Sports, Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. “Coming off another incredible year of strong ratings and exciting games, the popularity of the NCAA Tournament and Final Four continues to resonate with fans across the country. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to televise the Final Four national semi-final games and two of the Elite Eight games on TBS beginning next year, and for the network to televise its first National Championship game in 2016.”

“From the beginning, our partnership with Turner Sports has exceeded every one of our expectations,” said Sean McManus, Chairman, CBS Sports. “Today’s news represents another win-win arrangement that continues to help us extend the reach of this marquee property by combining the resources of our two organizations. As we have done since 1982, CBS is pleased to showcase the National Championship game in 2014 and 2015.”

Turner Sports and CBS Sports recently concluded their third year of exclusive coverage of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball National Championship. The 2013 tournament across TBS, CBS, TNT and truTV was the most-watched NCAA Tournament in 19 years, averaging 10.7 million total viewers, up 11% from last year’s 9.6 million viewers, according to Nielsen.

That’s all for now.

A Couple of Mid-Week Sports Media Thoughts

I haven’t done a sports media thoughts post in quite some time. You’re owed some, so lets not waste any time. Two thoughts today with a promise I’ll provide more with some regularity down the road. They’re in bullet form as always.

• Bizarre story that broke on Tuesday through Boston Sports Media Watch that Red Sox Radio Network host and fill-in announcer Jon Rish is leaving later this month. It’s a sad story that Rish has to leave a dream job over a proposed 30% pay cut by flagship station WEEI. As Rish told the Boston Globe’s Chad Finn, he could see the writing on the wall and started preparing for the future. Rish has four children and wants to plan for the future so he’s getting out of the radio business and becoming a software developer.

  It’s too bad that Rish had to make that decision, but with WEEI in dire straights, I can understand his thinking. As someone who has worked in radio and seen all types of cost cutting through personnel, salaries, benefits and other measures, it’s the rank and file who suffer, not the executives. Rish leaves just as the season begins, but as I wrote on Tuesday, the behind-the-scenes jockeying by management can be taxing on the workers, no matter what the job is. Rish says he had to think of his family and he’s at peace with his decision. Not many people have the opportunity to leave radio on their own terms. It seems Rish has done exactly that. Here’s wishing him nothing but the best as he goes on a new career path.

• The NCAA Tournament is over and as CBS/Turner Sports crow over a successful three week period that brought the highest viewership in almost two decades, there are some items upon which the CBS/Turner consortium can improve.

  First, cut down on the clutter in the studio. Charles Barkley told the New York Daily News that he’s overexposed during the Tournament and would like to cut his workload especially during the Second Round games. I wholeheartedly endorse this. In fact, let’s jettison Chuck out of the Tournament altogether. The Charles Barkley-Kenny Smith experiment on the NCAA Tournament just isn’t working. Keep Ernie Johnson, Jr. in the Atlanta studio and have him work with coaches and Steve Smith. In New York, reunite Greg Gumbel with Greg Anthony and Seth Davis. That trio works well together.

  Do not, do not, do not, do not bring Doug Gottlieb back to the studio. If he has to have a role, keep him on game analysis. It’s the lesser of two evils for the American people. If the viewing public has to be subjected to Gottlieb, then keep him at game sites where he can do less damage.

  If TBS is going to air the Final Four in 2014 as reported, let’s hope Turner won’t place Reggie Miller at courtside with Marv Albert and Steve Kerr. And I wouldn’t mind having Craig Sager and Rachel Nichols as reporters if Turner plans to put its stamp on the event.

  And why not bring Bill Walton over from Dial Global as a studio analyst?

That’s it.

2013 NCAA Tournament is the Most-Watched Since 1994

CBS/Turner Sports is certainly happy about this year’s NCAA Tournament. The average rating for the 67 games on CBS/TBS/TNT/tru TV was 6.7 with a 14 share. That’s up 10% from 2012′s 6.1/13. It’s the highest average rating for the tournament dating back to 2005 when the entire run was solely on CBS.

The average viewership was an impressive 10.7 million which is up 11% from 9.6 million in 2012. And it’s the highest average viewership  in 19 years which was 11.2 million.

For the National Championship Game on Monday night, CBS saw the fast national household rating resulting in 14.0/22 which is up big from last year’s 12.3/19. And the average viewership was 23.4 million which is in comparison on a par with the best Sunday Night Football audiences.

Here’s the press release from CBS/Turner.

2013 NCAA^® Division I Men’s Basketball Championship on TBS, CBS, TNT and truTV is Most-Watched Tournament in 19 Years

2013 Championship Game Scores with Double Digit Increases in Rating and Viewers
Louisville’s Win Delivers Rating/Share of 14.0/22 and 23.4 Million Total Viewers

The 2013 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball National Championship across CBS, TBS, TNT and truTV is the most-watched NCAA Tournament in 19 years, according to Nielsen.  The 2013 NCAA Tournament averaged 10.7 million total viewers, up 11% from last year’s 9.6 million total viewers, and is the highest average for the NCAA Tournament in 19 years (11.2 million; 1994).

The National Championship game, which saw Louisville defeat Michigan on CBS on Monday, April 8, earned an average fast national household rating/share of 14.0/22, up 14% from last year’s 12.3/19 (Kentucky-Kansas). The National Championship game averaged 23.4 million viewers, up 12% from last year’s 20.9 million.

The championship game coverage peaked in HH rating/share with a 16.1/27 and average viewers with 27.1 million, from 11-11:30 p.m. ET.

Coverage for the entire 2013 NCAA Tournament across Turner Sports and CBS Sports averaged a HH rating/share of 6.7/14, up 10% from last year’s 6.1/13, and is the highest average NCAA Tournament rating in eight years (6.9/15; 2005).

Source: Nielsen Media Research, based on Live +SD data stream. 3/19/13 to 04/09/13 vs. 03/13/12 to 04/02/12. 2013, 2012 and 2011 averages based on weighted average of four telecast gross across CBS, TBS, TNT and truTV. Historical audiences, CBS 1991 through 2005 based on Live data. 2006 through 2012 based on Live + SD. 2003 based on CBS/ESPN average of First Round.

Quite impressive.

Overnight Ratings for 2013 NCAA Championship Up Big Over 2012

After three weeks of increased ratings for the NCAA Tournament and the Final Four, the Championship Game gave CBS/Turner a very nice cherry on top of the cake with a big overnight rating. Thanks to a game that was compelling, exciting and went down to the final minutes, Louisville-Michigan garnered a big 14.3 overnight number with a 23 share, up a huge 18% from last year’s 12.1/19 for Kentucky-Kansas. Last night’s numbers were the highest for the NCAA Championship Game since 2010.

Overall, this year’s tournament finished at a 7.2/15 up 9% from 2012′s tournament.

In the local markets, the highest-rated were Louisville with a huge 54.0/70 and Detroit with 33.5/47. Rounding out the top five were Columbus, Indianapolis and Cincinnati.

Here’s the CBS/Turner press release.

2013 NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP GAME FEATURING LOUISVILLE OVER MICHIGAN SCORES 14.3/23 RATING/SHARE IN METERED MARKETS, UP 18%

Overall 2013 NCAA Tournament Across Turner Sports and CBS Sports Delivers 7.2/15 Average Rating, Up 9%

CBS Sports and Turner Sports’ exclusive live coverage of the 2013 NCAA^® Division I Men’s Basketball Championship game on Monday, April 8, which saw Louisville beat Michigan on CBS, delivered an average overnight household rating/share of 14.3/23, up 18% versus last year’s 12.1/19, according to Nielsen.

The overall 2013 NCAA Tournament average-to-date rating in the metered markets scored a 7.2/15, up 9% from a 6.6/14 in 2012. The 7.2/15 tied with 2011 as the highest overall average for the NCAA Tournament in eight years (7.3/14; 2005).

The 2013 NCAA Championship game rating/share peaked at 17.3/32 rating from 11:30-11:45 PM, ET.

Top five rated metered markets: 

1. Louisville – 54.0/70
2. Detroit – 33.5/47
3. Columbus, Ohio – 26.4/40
4. Indianapolis – 25.1/39
5. Cincinnati – 24.7/38

Source: Nielsen Media Research, based on Metered Market data, Live +SD data stream. 3/19/13 to 04/08/13 vs. 03/13/12 to 04/09/12. 2013, 2012 and 2011 averages based on weighted average of four telecast gross across CBS, TBS, TNT and truTV. Historical audiences, CBS 1991 through 2005 based on Live data. 2006 through 2012 based on Live + SD. 2003 based on CBS/ESPN average of First Round.

We’ll have the final numbers later today.

One Shining Moment — 2013

After a great game between Michigan and Louisville, won by the Cardinals, we always wait for CBS’ annual version of “One Shining Moment.” This year was no disappointment. Glad that it’s available early. Normally, I’ve waited in the neighborhood of an hour to post it. Take a look at it. And of course, Kevin Ware is part of the video. Enjoy.

Thanks to college basketball for giving us a great Final Four and now we await next season which will be quite different. And if the reports are correct, this will end CBS’ 32 consecutive year streak of airing the Final Four as TBS is hoping to produce the event in 2014. But let’s celebrate the 2012-13 college basketball season and look forward to another great season starting in November.

[Awful Announcing]

CBS/Turner Sees Ratings and Viewership Increase for the Final Four

CBS/Turner Sports has a reason to crow as this year’s NCAA Tournament has become a ratings bonanza. And thanks to two compelling games last night, the ratings for the Men’s Final Four^® received an average rating of 9.4 with an 18 share, up four percent from last year’s 9.0/17.

Average viewership for the game 15.7 million viewers, up slightly from last year’s 15.26 million.

For Louisville-Wichita State, the numbers were 8.7/18 and 14.468 million viewers.

And for Michigan-Syracuse, the game saw a 10.2/18 and 17.1 million viewers. Both numbers quite impressive for a Saturday night.

The overall numbers are the highest for the Final Four on CBS since 2005.

Here’s what CBS/Turner is saying about the ratings.

CBS SPORTS AND TURNER SPORTS’ FINAL FOUR COVERAGE IS HIGHEST-RATED AND MOST-WATCHED IN EIGHT YEARS

2013 NCAA^® Division I Men’s Basketball Championship is Most-Watched and Highest-Rated Tournament-to-Date Since 2005

Turner Sports and CBS Sports’ coverage of the 2013 NCAA^® Division I Men’s Basketball Final Four^® on CBS on Saturday, April 6, earned an average fast national household rating/share of 9.4/18, up 4% from last year’s 9.0/17, and is the highest-rated Final Four in eight years (10.5/19 in 2005), based on Nielsen Fast Nationals.

The 2013 Final Four averaged 15,702,000 total viewers, up 3% from last year’s 15,256,000 total viewers, which is the highest viewership average for the two Final Four games since 2005 (16,647,000 for Illinois/Louisville and North Carolina/Michigan State).

The first game, Louisville beating Wichita State, earned an average household rating/share of 8.7/18 and 14,468,000 total viewers, both up 4% from last year’s 8.4/17 and 13,908,000 total viewers.

The second game featuring Michigan’s victory over Syracuse delivered a 10.2/18, up 6% from last year’s 9.6/17. The corresponding 17,104,000 total viewers are up 3% compared with last year’s 16,603,000 total viewers.

CBS Sports and Turner Sports’ coverage of the 2013 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship is averaging 10,174,000 total viewers-to-date, up 10% from last year’s 9,213,000 total viewers, and is the highest viewership average for the NCAA Tournament through the Final Four in eight years (10,183,000 in 2005).

The 2013 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship has delivered the best overall tournament-to-date ratings since 2005. The overall tournament average-to-date rating/share is a 6.4/13, up 8% from last year’s 5.9/12. The 6.4/13 is the highest average rating for the NCAA Tournament through the Final Four in eight years (6.6/14 in 2005).

Source: Nielsen Media Research, based on Fast National data, Live +SD data stream. 3/19/13 to 04/06/13 vs. 03/13/12 to 03/31/12. 2013, 2012 and 2011 averages based on weighted average of four telecast gross across CBS, TBS, TNT and truTV. Historical audiences, CBS 1991 through 2005 based on Live data. 2006 through 2012 based on Live + SD. 2003 based on CBS/ESPN average of First Round. 

That is all.

CBS Airs NCAA Division II Men’s Championship on Sunday

CBS Sports continues its college basketball coverage on Sunday with live coverage of the NCAA Division II Men’s Championship live from Philips Arena in Atlanta. Metro State takes on Drury. Tim Brando and Dan Bonner will have the call with Lewis Johnson on the sidelines.

In addition, Greg Gumbel, Doug Gottlieb and Seth Davis will be on hand for the halftime festivities. The game takes the air at 4 p.m. on Sunday.

Before that, CBS/Turner Sports offers taped coverage of the College All-Star Game at 2 p.m. ET.

Here’s the press release from CBS Sports.

CBS SPORTS HOOPS IT UP ON SUNDAY WITH NCAA DIVISION II MEN’S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

CBS Sports and Turner Sports Present Reese’s College All-Star Game

CBS Sports continues its live college basketball coverage from Atlanta on Sunday, April 7 with the NCAA Division II Men’s Basketball Championship and College All-Star game.

For the 23^rd consecutive year, CBS Sports broadcasts the NCAA Men’s Division II Basketball Championship. Metro State takes on Drury live from Philips Arena in Atlanta, Ga. at 4:00 PM, ET.  Tim Brando, Dan Bonner and reporter Lewis Johnson call the action. Ken Mack produces and Andy Goldberg directs.

AT THE HALF, CBS Sports’ halftime studio show, hosted by Greg Gumbel along with analysts Doug Gottlieb and Sports Illustrated’s Seth Davis, provide all the day’s news, scores and highlights live from Phillips Arena. Eric Mann produces and Bob Matina directs. Harold Bryant is Executive Producer and Vice President, Production, CBS Sports.

Turner Sports and CBS Sports present the College All-Star game (2:00 PM, ET; Taped 4/5) from the Georgia Dome featuring the top senior college basketball players. Turner Sports’ Matt Winer, Greg Anthony, Mike Gminski and reporter Tracy Wolfson are courtside to handle the call. Mack produces and Goldberg directs.

And ESPN’s coverage plans at the Women’s Final Four is next.

CNN to Air Special on the NCAA Men’s Final Four in Atlanta

For the second time this year, CNN will have a live sports special. This will be hosted by Rachel Nichols and Reggie Miller on Saturday, live from the Turner Sports studios at CNN Center in Atlanta.

Here’s the blurb from Turner Sports.

CNN and Turner Sports to Present CNN All Access at the Final Four

Hosted by Rachel Nichols and Reggie Miller, Live One-Hour Special to Air Saturday, April 6, at 3 p.m. ET

CNN and Turner Sports will present CNN All Access at the Final Four, a live one-hour special on Saturday, April 6, at 3 p.m. ET from Turner Studios in Atlanta, the host city of this year’s NCAA Final Four^®. Hosted by Turner Sports and CNN reporter Rachel Nichols and Turner Sports’ Reggie Miller, the show will feature special guests and a behind-the-scenes look at the weekend’s games, the personalities and the celebration of collegiate basketball that extends beyond the court.

The hour-long special will also include live shots and footage from a cross-section of the weekend’s festivities from the Georgia Dome, CNN Center and Big Dance concert series, and much more.

And here’s a promo from CNN for you.

That will do it.

CBS/Turner’s Plans for the 2013 NCAA Men’s Final Four

CBS and Turner Sports go into their third year producing the NCAA Men’s Final Four^® for America’s viewing pleasure. For the 32^nd straight (and possibly last) year, CBS will air the Final Four on broadcast television.

CBS begins its coverage on Saturday with the Final Four Show live from the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, GA at 4 p.m. ET hosted by Greg Gumbel and accompanied by analysts Greg Anthony, Charles Barkley, Doug Gottlieb and Kenny “The Jet” Smith. Seth Davis will be a reporter to the show and Basketball Hall of Famer Lesley Visser will be a contributor.

Then after the pregame show, National Semifinals begin. Overall number 1 seed Louisville will take on Cinderella Wichita State starting at 6:09 p.m. ET. That will be followed at approximately 8:49 p.m. with Michigan and Syracuse. Jim Nantz, Clark Kellogg and Steve Kerr will call the action from their courtside position. Tracy “The Wolf” Wolfson will report what is happening from the benches.

We have the CBS/Turner preview of its coverage plans for Saturday.

CBS SPORTS AND TURNER SPORTS’ “ROAD TO THE FINAL FOUR” CONTINUES IN ATLANTA WITH EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE OF NCAA^® MEN’S  FINAL FOUR ON CBS ON SATURDAY, APRIL 6

Louisville, Wichita State, Michigan and Syracuse Vie for College Basketball’s National Championship

Louisville, Wichita State, Michigan and Syracuse march in to Atlanta as Turner Sports and CBS Sports provide exclusive coverage of the 2013 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship and Final Four. For the 32^nd consecutive year, CBS Sports broadcasts the national semi-final games live on Saturday, April 6 (6:00-11:00 PM, ET) and the National Championship game on Monday, April 8 (9:00 PM, ET-conclusion) from the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Ga.

Saturday’s Final Four features Wichita State versus Louisville with tip-off scheduled for 6:09 PM, ET. Forty minutes after the game concludes, Syracuse takes on Michigan to determine the other participant in Monday night’s Championship game. CBS Sports’ Jim Nantz and Clark Kellogg, and Turner Sports’ Steve Kerr call the games, with Tracy Wolfson serving as reporter. Nantz calls his 28^th Final Four and National Championship, Kellogg works his fifth, and Kerr joins Nantz and Kellogg for the third time.

Leading in to the semi-final games on Saturday, April 6 (4:00-6:00 PM, ET) is THE FINAL FOUR SHOW on CBS, hosted by Greg Gumbel with analysts Greg Anthony, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Doug Gottlieb. Seth Davis reports and Lesley Visser contributes. The show features tournament highlights, analysis of the four participating teams and interviews with coaches and players live from the Georgia Dome.

Included in the broadcast are features on:

* LOUISVILLE’S KEVIN WARE

“Just go win the game,” is what Louisville sophomore guard Kevin Ware said after suffering a compound fracture to his right leg during the first half of the Cardinals’ Midwest Regional Final against Duke. Coach Rick Pitino used Ware’s comments to rally the team. After surgery last Sunday night, Ware, who hails from nearby Conyers, Ga. joins his teammates in Atlanta at the Final Four. He talks about how his Louisville family helped him cope with the injury. The Cardinals’ Russ Smith, Peyton Siva and Chane Behanan reveal what it was like to witness the awful injury to their friend and teammate. They also discuss how they were emotionally able to compose themselves to persevere and defeat Duke. Joe Zappulla produces.

* MICHIGAN’S ALL IN THE FAMILY

As Michigan makes its first Final Four appearance in 20 years, family ties is the dominant theme. Some of the names on the roster; Robinson, Hardaway and Horford are familiar to basketball fans. What roles have their relatives played on the Wolverines path to the Final Four? Although the young Wolverines may follow in the footsteps of their famous basketball fathers and brothers, Coach John Beilein’s squad has built a legacy of its own by overcoming a 14-point second-half deficit to defeat Kansas in overtime before dominating Florida in the South Regional Final. Alanna Campbell produces.

* SYRACUSE’S MICHAEL CARTER-WILLIAMS

As Syracuse was playing in the early rounds of the NCAA Tournament, star Orange point guard Michael Carter-Williams had something else on his mind, a tragedy that happened in Hamilton, Mass. His childhood home, where his family resided, was destroyed by a fire. During the Orange’s game against California in the third round of the Tournament, Carter-Williams glanced up to see his mother Mandy crying in the stands. He had no idea what had occurred. After the game, Carter-Williams ran out of the Syracuse locker room to find his family. After he embraced his mom, she told him about the situation, and more importantly, that their family was fine. Since then, Syracuse’s success in the postseason has inspired his family during a time of great need. Sarah Rinaldi produces.

* WICHITA STATE’S CARL HALL

Wichita State has enjoyed a spectacular season knocking out No. 1 Gonzaga and No. 2 Ohio State to become the first ninth-seed in 34 years to reach the Final Four. But the Shockers’ surprising success has been especially sweet for senior forward Carl Hall. Six years ago, the 6’8” 240-pound forward was told he would never play basketball again following a diagnosis of neuro-cardiogenic syncope, a heart condition that produces an irregular heartbeat. This condition caused him to pass out on the court on several occasions. In 2009, his doctors introduced him to a medication that would control the problem. Slowly, Hall began his return to basketball, eventually earning a scholarship offer from Wichita State. Now he is living out his dream, playing in the Final Four, not far from his hometown of Cochran, Ga. Jeff St. Arromand produces.

Special Features

* PAT SUMMITT

With more than 1,000 wins and eight national championships during her Hall of Fame career, Pat Summitt’s accomplishments as head coach of the Tennessee Lady Volunteers are unsurpassed.  Now, she is facing another type of opponent, Alzheimer’s. For the first time ever, the legendary coach and her 22-year-old son, Tyler, sit down together to share their inspirational story. The two reveal to Lesley Visser why Summitt went public so early with her illness and why they remain so optimistic during this latest and most challenging chapter of her life. Charlie Bloom produces.

* JIM ROME INTERVIEWS FINAL FOUR COACHES

Two of this year’s Final Four head coaches, Gregg Marshall of Wichita State and John Beilein of Michigan, have never advanced to the National Semi-Finals. For Syracuse’s Jim Boeheim and Louisville’s Rick Pitino, it’s relatively familiar territory. Boeheim has led his Orange to four Final Four appearances, winning it all in 2003. Pitino has guided three schools, Providence, Kentucky and Louisville to a total of seven Final Four appearances. His 1996 Wildcats won the national title defeating Boeheim and Syracuse. All four coaches sit down together with CBS Sports’ Jim Rome to provide an inside look at this year’s Final Four match-ups. Charlie Bloom produces.

* * * * *

Also on Saturday, CBS SPORTS SPECTACULAR broadcasts THE BEST OF COLLEGE BASKETBALL 2013 (1:00-2:00 PM, ET). Hosted by Greg Gumbel, the show recaps the college basketball season looking at the biggest headlines, break- out players, best stories and plays of the year. Also, CBS Sports’ Tim Brando and Bill Raftery along with reporter Lewis Johnson are on hand for the HIGH SCHOOL SLAM DUNK & 3-POINT CHAMPIONSHIPS (2:00-3:00 PM, ET; taped 4/5/13), which highlights the nation’s elite high school players as they compete in Atlanta over Final Four weekend in a Slam Dunk contest and the Boy’s and Girl’s 3-Point Championships.

Hosted by Greg Gumbel, NCAA MARCH MADNESS FANDEMONIUM (3:00-3:30 PM, ET) celebrates basketball through the eyes of some of the most passionate and ardent fans of the game. Following, HUMAN HIGHLIGHT REEL (3:30-4:00 PM, ET) celebrates the achievements of five former NCAA student athletes Jeff Keith, Kelly Brush, Jeff Faine, Curtis Pride and Jason Thompson who made a difference off the field. Turner Sports’ Ernie Johnson hosts.

Mark Wolff, coordinating producer of CBS Sports’ NCAA basketball coverage, produces the 2013 Final Four and Bob Fishman directs. Eric Mann produces the preview and halftime programs, and Bob Matina directs. Harold Bryant is Executive Producer and Vice President, Production, CBS Sports.

That will do it.

The Fang’s Bites College Basketball TV Awards: NCAA Tournament Edition

Last month, I gave you my College Basketball TV Awards for the 2012-13 regular season. As promised, I’ll provide you with the NCAA Tournament Edition featuring my picks for Final Four, Regional Final and First Week levels. Those not worthy and there will be a couple, will get the infamous Carton of Chinese Cigarettes handed out from the 2008 Summer Olympics in Communist China.

I’ll provide the awards first for play-by-play, then game analysts, reporters and finally the studio.

PLAY-BY-PLAY

Final Four Level

Marv Albert, Ian Eagle, Kevin Harlan – Marv is Marvelous. The man is a Hall of Fame announcer and during the Michigan-Kansas game, was able to pick up on the Wolverines’ comeback late in the second half and his call of Trey Burke’s three pointer to tie the game was perfectly understated.

Ian Eagle showed his versatility in calling NCAA Tournament games on both TV and radio. Does both well and allows the action to come to him. Ian had a very good call of the Davidson-Marquette game that went down to the wire.

Kevin Harlan was outstanding especially as Ohio State’s Aaron Craft hit a jumper with :02 in its Sweet Sixteen game against Arizona.

Regional Final Level

Brian Anderson, Verne Lundquist, Jim Nantz – Having this trio in the Tournament shows some very good depth on the CBS/Turner Consortium. Brian Anderson is a rising star. Calls games on Big Ten Network during the winters, then moves to his best sport, baseball for the Milwaukee Brewers and TBS Sunday Afternoon games. Could easily be on a Regional Final team down the line.

What can you say about Uncle Verne Lundquist that hasn’t already been said? He and Bill Raftery form one of the fun broadcast teams and you know that Verne plays the perfect straight man to Raft. He’s perfect at the Regional Final level.

Jim Nantz is perfect here. He would go higher except that he calls only one to two regular season games a season, yet he’s on the “A” team that goes to the Final Four. Nantz calls a good game, but I think there are several announcers who are better.

First Week Level

Tim Brando – Tim is good, but sometimes falls back on cliches. He’s perfect on the ACC Tournament on the Raycom-produced ACC Network. A nice fit with long-time partner Mike Gminski.

Carton of Chinese Cigarettes

Spero Dedes – Dedes provided some real lackluster and sleep-inducing calls. When Harvard upset New Mexico, Dedes failed to rise to the occasion and when the game ended, he gave us quite a forgettable call. His partner, Doug Gottlieb overpowered him at times.

ANALYSTS

Final Four Level

Clark Kellogg, Steve Kerr, Bill Raftery – Clark Kellogg knows his stuff and provides good analysis of the action. He’s able to spot trends and finds the right words. He also stepped up during the Louisville-Duke game when Kevin Ware broke his leg in a horrific sequence. And as Jim Nantz tried to collect himself in the minutes following the injury, Kellogg did his best to describe the emotions on the court.

When Steve Kerr found out that he was going to call the NCAA Tournament three years ago, he found work with Fox Sports to call Sunday night Pac-10 games and quickly got re-immersed in the college game. It was that preparation that puts him on the Final Four Level. And teamed with Marv Albert for the first two weeks of the Tournament, Kerr provides some really good tidbits especially during Michigan-Kansas.

Bill Raftery is the Mayor of College Basketball. Perfectly teamed with Uncle Verne Lundquist, Raft provides great anecdotes, one-liners and always knows when to use his signature “ONIONS!” call. I’d love for Raft to call a Final Four on TV, but you can always hear him on radio for the event.

Regional Final Level

Len Elmore and Jim Spanarkel – Len was the last ESPN exclusive holdover to remain on the Tournament after Turner came on board. Jay Bilas wasn’t kept and while Bill Raftery also works for ESPN, he does games for CBS during the regular season, pulling a rare network double. Elmore when Reggie Miller doesn’t step all over him, provides some salient points. He really could work solo with Kevin Harlan and doesn’t need Miller along side.

Jim Spanarkel works very well with Ian Eagle. It’s hard to believe that they’ve worked 17 previous tournaments together and they’re a very good team. Spanarkel was on top of trends especially when Marquette was coming back on Davidson in the second round.

First Week Level

Dan Bonner and Mike Gminski – Both ACC Network veterans, Bonner and Gminski are perfect analysts for the first weekend of games.

Carton of Chinese Cigarettes

Doug Gottlieb and Reggie Miller – Gottlieb will harp on points to where you want him to shut up. Reggie Miller must have pictures on a network executive somewhere as he’s a terrible analyst. I understand calling NCAA Tournament games was a dream for Gottlieb, but CBS/Turner should pull the plug on him working games next year. As for Miller, he’s basketball’s version of Marcelo Balboa, a person who makes statements just to hear himself talk and makes ridiculous points.

REPORTERS

Final Four Level

Jamie Maggio, Rachel Nichols, Craig Sager

Regional Final Level

Lewis Johnson, Marty Snider, Tracy “The Wolf” Wolfson

First Week Level

Allie LaForce, Otis Livingston

STUDIO HOSTS

Final Four Level

Greg Gumbel and Ernie Johnson, Jr.

Regional Final Level

Matt Winer

STUDIO ANALYSTS

Final Four Level

Greg Anthony

Regional Final Level

Seth Davis and Steve Smith

First Week Level

Charles Barkley and Kenny “The Jet” Smith – I understand why Barkley and Smith are there, but they’re much better on the NBA than college basketball. Charles’ candor on the NBA works against him on the Tournament as in the case where he harped against the Big Ten.

Carton of Chinese Cigarettes

Doug Gottlieb — Who else? Failed joke aside, Gottlieb has not differentiated himself from the pack. He overpowers people on the set. He comes off as abrasive as sandpaper.

So there you have the Awards for the 2013 NCAA Tournament.

Despite Blowouts, NCAA Elite Eight on Sunday Draws Higher Overnights Than 2012

There weren’t too many surprises in the NCAA Tournament on Sunday as Michigan and Louisville took their games with relative ease.

However, the big surprise may have been the overnight ratings for the South and Midwest Regional Finals. Both games on CBS averaged an 8.9 number with a 19 share. CBS’ overrun into primetime also won the night for the network. The overnight ratings are 25% better than last year which received a 6.4/13. The ratings may have been helped by Duke losing big to Louisville.

In fact, Louisville-Duke received a 9.4/21 rating which was 21% higher than the game in the timeslot last year.

Here’s the press release from CBS/Turner Sports.

CBS SPORTS AND TURNER SPORTS’ COVERAGE OF SUNDAY’S 2013 NCAA^® DIVISION I MEN’S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP REGIONAL FINALS EARNS 8.0/19, UP 25% VS. 2012 IN METERED MARKETS

Turner Sports and CBS Sports’ exclusive live coverage of the 2013 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship Regional Final on Sunday, March 31 on CBS delivered an average overnight household rating/share of 8.0/19, up 25% vs. last year’s 6.4/13, according to Nielsen.

Sunday’s first telecast window (2:15-4:30 PM, ET), which saw Michigan defeat Florida, earned a 6.2/16, up 17% from a 5.3/12 in 2012.  The second telecast window (5:00-7:30 PM, ET), which featured Louisville beating Duke, registered a 9.4/21, up 21% from a 7.8/15 in 2012.

The overall 2013 NCAA Tournament average-to-date ratings in the metered markets are a 6.7/14, up 8% from a 6.2/13 in 2012.

Source: Nielsen Media Research, based on Metered Market data, Live +SD data stream.  3/19/13 to  03/31/13 vs. 03/13/12 to 03/25/12.  2013 averages based on weighted average of 4 telecast gross across CBS, TBS, TNT and truTV. Historical audiences, CBS 1991 through 2005 based on Live data.  2006 through 2010 based on Live + SD.  2003 based on CBS/ESPN average of First Round.

That is all.

2013 Final Four Tip Times

Here are the tip times for the Final Four^®. Wichita State-Louisville tips off first and that will be followed by Michigan-Syracuse.

2013 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Final Four Tips Off Saturday, April 6, on CBS

Turner Sports and CBS Sports’ exclusive coverage of the 2013 NCAA^® Division I Men’s Basketball Final Four^® on Saturday, April 6 (6-11 p.m. ET), will tip off with Wichita State against Louisville at 6:09 p.m. on CBS. Syracuse will then take on Michigan 40 minutes after the conclusion of the first game. Jim Nantz, Clark Kellogg and Steve Kerr will call the games along with reporter Tracy Wolfson.

Coverage will begin with The Final Four Show® (4-6 p.m.) hosted by Greg Gumbel along with analysts Charles Barkley, Greg Anthony, Kenny Smith and Doug Gottlieb live from the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

That is all.

Saturday’s Elite Eight Action from the 2013 NCAA Tournament Up Slightly From 2012

I hope you’re having a good Easter. The CBS/Turner combo tells us that Saturday’s Elite Eight Regional Finals were up slightly from last year. This despite some ugly basketball especially in the first game between Syracuse and Marquette.

Saturday’s two regional finals generated a 5.8 Fast National household rating with a 12 share, up 2% from last year’s 5.6/12. Average viewership for the games averaged 9.4 million which is 6% better than last year’s 8.9 million.

Overall, the NCAA Tournament is averaging a 6.1 rating and a 13 share, better than 5.6/12 last year. And the viewership for the tournament to date is averaging 9.4 million up from 8.6 million last year. Viewership is at its highest since 1993.

Here’s the CBS/Turner press release.

2013 NCAA^® Division I Men’s Basketball Championship on TBS, CBS, TNT and truTv Scores as Most Watched Tournament-to-Date in 19 Years, Averaging 9.4 Million Total Viewers

NCAA Tournament Viewership and Ratings Up 9% vs. 2012

CBS Sports and Turner Sports’ exclusive coverage of the 2013 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship across TBS, CBS, TNT and truTV is averaging 9.4 million total viewers to date, up 9% from last year’s 8.6 million viewers, and is tied with 1994 as the highest average for the NCAA Tournament through the Saturday Regional Finals in 19 years (10.7 million, 1993).

The 2013 NCAA Tournament to date, is averaging a national HH rating/share of 6.1/13, up 9% from last year’s 5.6/12, and is tied with 2005 as the highest-to-date rating in 15 years (6.3/15; 1998).

Saturday’s Regional Final coverage on CBS averaged 9.4 million viewers, based on Nielsen Fast Nationals, up 6% from last year’s 8.9 million viewers.  

Regional Final coverage on Saturday earned a HH rating/share of a 5.8/12, up 4% from last year’s 5.6/12.

Source: Nielsen Media Research, based on Fast National Data, Live +SD data stream. 3/19/13 to 3/30/13 vs. 03/13/12 to 04/1/12.   2013, 2012 and 2011 averages based on weighted average of four telecast gross across CBS, TBS, TNT and truTV. Historical audiences, CBS 1991 through 2005 based on Live data. 2006 through 2012 based on Live + SD. 2003 based on CBS/ESPN average of First Round.

That’s all

NCAA Tournament Regional Semifinals Scores on CBS/TBS on Friday

Another press release from CBS/Turner Sports must mean good news for the NCAA Tournament and it does. Friday’s Sweet 16 action which included an exciting overtime Kansas-Michigan game which ended in a Wolverines win, scored in the ratings and in viewership.

CBS and TBS saw a big Fast National household rating of 8.2 and a 16 share, up a whopping 22% from last year’s 6.7/12. And viewership for the four games split evenly among CBS and TBS averaged 13.1 million viewers, again up by 20% from 2012′s 10.9 million.

For the tournament to date, CBS/Turner is averaging 9.4 million viewers which is the most since 1993. As my friend, Amanda Rykoff points out, Michigan was last in the Final Four in … 1993.

So here’s the press release from CBS and Turner Sports.

2013 NCAA^® Division I Men’s Basketball Championship on TBS, CBS, TNT and truTv Scores as Most Watched Tournament-to-Date in 20 Years, Averaging 9.4 Million Total Viewers

Friday’s Regional Semi-Finals Deliver 13.1 Million Total Viewers; Most Viewed in 20 Years
NCAA Tournament Viewership and Ratings Up 9% vs. 2012

CBS Sports and Turner Sports’ exclusive coverage of the 2013 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship across TBS, CBS, TNT and truTV is averaging 9.4 million total viewers to date, up 9% from last year’s 8.6 million viewers, and is the highest average for the NCAA Tournament through the Friday Regional Semi-Finals in 20 years (10.5 million; 1993).

The 2013 NCAA Tournament to date, is averaging a national HH rating/share of 6.1/13, up 9% from last year’s 5.6/12, and is the highest-to-date rating in 15 years (6.2/14; 1998).

Friday’s Regional Semi-Final coverage across CBS and TBS was the most-watched in 20 years, averaging 13.1 million viewers, up 20% from last year’s 10.9 million viewers. 

Regional Semi-Final coverage on Friday earned a Fast National HH rating/share of  8.2/16, up 22% from last year’s 6.7/12, and the highest average Friday Regional Semi-Final rating in 19 years (8.6/17; 1994).   

*  * * * *

Source: Nielsen Media Research, based on Fast National Data, Live +SD data stream. 3/19/13 to 3/29/13 vs. 03/13/12 to 03/31/12.   2013, 2012 and 2011 averages based on weighted average of four telecast gross across CBS, TBS, TNT and truTV. Historical audiences, CBS 1991 through 2005 based on Live data. 2006 through 2012 based on Live + SD. 2003 based on CBS/ESPN average of First Round.

That is all.

CBS/Turner Posts Highest Friday Night NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 Overnights in 23 Years

From the CBS Sports/Turner Sports consortium, we have Friday’s overnight ratings for the Regional Semifinal action and thanks to a Kansas-Michigan game that went to overtime on TBS, the NCAA Tournament posted the highest overnight ratings for that night since 1990. The ratings resulted in an 8.9 with a 17 share which beat last year’s numbers by a whopping 20%.

CBS/Turner adds that this year’s Tournament is running 6% ahead of last year’s pace averaging a 6.6/14. So overall, going into the Elite Eight today and tomorrow,  CBS/Turner is quite happy with how this year’s tourney is shaping up.

And if Duke advances to the Final Four, you can rest assure that CBS/Turner will be extremely happy. There may be simultaneous cartwheels and summersaults done down the CBS Sports and Turner corridors in New York and Atlanta. In fact, executives may even do a cartwheel and summersault competition, that’s how elated they would be. Ok, I may have gone too far with the elation and joy, but you get the idea.

Here’s the press release.

CBS Sports and Turner Sports’ Exclusive Coverage of the 2013 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship Nets Highest Rated Friday Regional Semi-finals in 23 Years

Friday Regional Semi-final Ratings Up 20% vs. 2012; Tournament to Date Up 6%

Turner Sports and CBS Sports’ exclusive coverage of the 2013 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship Regional Semi-finals on Friday, March 29, averaged a metered HH rating/share of 8.9/17, based on Nielsen overnight ratings, to become the highest rated Friday Regional Semi-final in 23 years, when the tournament expanded to its current format. The 8.9/17 is up 20% compared with a 7.4/14 last year.

Exclusive coverage of the 2013 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship across the four networks – TBS, CBS, TNT and truTV – is averaging a gross rating/share of 6.6/14, based on Nielsen overnight ratings, up 6% compared with a 6.2/13 tournament to date in 2012.

Source: Nielsen Media Research, based on Metered Market data, Live +SD data stream. 3/19/13 to 03/29/13 vs. 03/13/12 to 03/23/12. 2013 averages based on weighted average of 4 telecast gross across CBS, TBS, TNT and truTV. Historical audiences, CBS 1991 through 2005 based on Live data. 2006 through 2010 based on Live + SD. 2003 based on CBS / ESPN average of First Round.

Elite Eight action starts today on CBS with the East Regional Final between soon-to-ex Big East rivals Marquette and Syracuse at 4:30 p.m. ET/1:30 p.m. PT.

CBS/Turner Announce Tip Times for Elite Eight Games on Sunday, March 31, 2013

Tip times are set for Sunday’s Elite Eight. The South Regional Final will tip on CBS at 2:20 p.m. ET. That will be followed by the Midwest Regional Final, also on CBS, at 5:05 p.m.

Details are below.

TURNER SPORTS AND CBS SPORTS ANNOUNCE TIP TIMES
FOR REGIONAL FINALS ON SUNDAY, MARCH 31 ON CBS

Exclusive Coverage Continues with Regional Finals on Saturday, March 30 on CBS

CBS Sports and Turner Sports announce tip times and match-ups for the Regional Finals of the 2013 NCAA^® Division I Men’s Basketball Championship on Sunday, March 31, on CBS (2:00-7:00 PM, ET). Michigan will take on Florida in the first game at 2:20 PM, ET followed by Duke playing Louisville at 5:05 p.m.

Host Greg Gumbel and analysts Charles Barkley, Greg Anthony, Kenny Smith and Doug Gottlieb will provide studio coverage throughout the day on CBS.

Below are the tip times and announce assignments for this weekend’s Regional Finals. The winners will meet in the Final Four from Atlanta on Saturday, April 6.

NCAA March Madness Live^® will continue to provide college basketball fans unparalleled multi-screen digital access to the 2013 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship including live streaming of every game.  The digital suite of products will also feature video highlights, full game replays, real-time game alerts, live game scoring, real-time tournament brackets, personal channel lineup features, live stats, robust social media integration and more.

REGIONAL FINALS SATURDAY, MARCH 30
Tip (ET)	Network	Site	Game	Play-by-Play/Analyst//Reporter
4:30 p.m.	CBS	Washington, DC	Syracuse vs. Marquette	Verne Lundquist/Bill Raftery//Rachel Nichols
7:05 p.m.	CBS	Los Angeles	Wichita State vs. Ohio State	Kevin Harlan/Reggie Miller/Len Elmore//Lewis Johnson
REGIONAL FINALS SUNDAY, MARCH 31
Tip (ET)	Network	Site	Game	Play-by-Play/Analyst//Reporter
2:20 p.m.	CBS	Arlington, TX	Florida vs. Michigan	Marv Albert/Steve Kerr//Craig Sager
5:05 p.m.	CBS	Indianapolis	Duke vs. Louisville	Jim Nantz/Clark Kellogg//Tracy Wolfson

That’s going to do it. The next CBS/Turner press release will set the Final Four tip times for next Saturday.

2013 NCAA Tournament Viewership Highest in 20 Years

Thanks to the fine people at the CBS Sports and Turner Sports PR departments, we learn that viewership for the 2013 NCAA Tournament is up 8% from 2012. Even with the amount of blowouts we’ve seen, interest in the tournament has increased over last year.

According to Nielsen, the NCAA Tournament is averaging 9 million viewers through Thursday’s Regional Semifinals compared to 8.3 million last year.

And the tournament is averaging a 5.9 rating and a 12 share as compared to 5.5/12 in 2012.

Here’s the joint announcement.

2013 NCAA^® Division I Men’s Basketball Championship on TBS, CBS, TNT and truTv is Most Watched in 20 Years, Averaging 9.0 Million Total Viewers

NCAA Tournament Viewership Up 8% and Ratings Up 7% vs. 2012

CBS Sports and Turner Sports’ exclusive coverage of the 2013 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship across TBS, CBS, TNT and truTV is averaging 9.0 million total viewers to date, up 8% from last year’s 8.3 million viewers, and is the highest average for the NCAA Tournament through the Thursday Regional Semifinals in 20 years (10.2 million; 1993).

The 2013 NCAA Tournament to date, is averaging a national HH rating/share of 5.9/12, up 7% from last year’s 5.5/12, and is the highest-to-date rating in 15 years (6.1/14; 1998).

Thursday night’s coverage across CBS and TBS averaged 10.4 million viewers, up 4% from last year’s 10.0 million viewers; and earned a Fast National HH rating/share of a 6.7/12, up 3% from last year’s 6.5/12. 

* * * * *

Source: Nielsen Media Research, based on Fast National Data, Live +SD data stream. 3/19/13 to 3/28/13 vs. 03/13/12 to 03/22/12.   2013, 2012 and 2011 averages based on weighted average of four telecast gross across CBS, TBS, TNT and truTV. Historical audiences, CBS 1991 through 2005 based on Live data. 2006 through 2012 based on Live + SD. 2003 based on CBS/ESPN average of First Round.

That’s all.

CBS/Turner Says Thursday Night’s Sweet 16′s Overnight Ratings Up From Last Year

This from CBS/Turner, overnight ratings for Thursday’s NCAA Tournament Regional Semifinal games are up 4% from 2012. The games on CBS and TBS averaged a 7.3 and a 14 share, up from last year’s 7.0/12. Ratings were up despite the fact that three of four of the games were blowouts.

Overall, the ratings for the NCAA Tournament are up 5% from last year’s Big Dance averaging a 6.4/14.

Here’s the press release from CBS/Turner.

CBS Sports and Turner Sports’ Exclusive Coverage of the 2013 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship Regional Semifinals Up 4% vs. 2012

2013 NCAA Tournament to Date Ratings Up 5% vs. Last Year

Turner Sports and CBS Sports’ exclusive coverage of the 2013 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship Regional Semifinals on Thursday, March 28, averaged a 7.3/14, based on Nielsen overnight ratings, an increase of 4% over a 7.0/12 last year.  Ratings improved despite three of the four games being decided by 10 points or more.

Exclusive coverage of the 2013 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship across the four networks – TBS, CBS, TNT and truTV – is averaging a gross rating/share of 6.4/14, based on Nielsen overnight ratings, up 5% compared with a 6.1/13 tournament to date in 2012.

Regional Semifinal coverage continues tonight, March 29, with the following slate of games:

Regional Semifinals – Friday, March 29 (7 p.m.-Midnight ET)
Tip (ET)	Network	Site	Game	Play-by-Play/Analyst//Reporter
7:15 p.m.	CBS	Indianapolis I	Oregon vs. Louisville	Jim Nantz/Clark Kellogg//Tracy Wolfson
7:37 p.m.	TBS	North Texas I	Kansas vs. Michigan	Marv Albert/Steve Kerr//Craig Sager
After conc. I	CBS	Indianapolis II	Michigan State vs. Duke	Jim Nantz/Clark Kellogg//Tracy Wolfson
After conc. I	TBS	North Texas II	Florida Gulf Coast vs. Florida	Marv Albert/Steve Kerr//Craig Sager

There you have it.

Doug Gottlieb Apologizes for the White Man’s Perspective

It occurred early in CBS’ coverage of the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16. As host Greg Gumbel introduced Doug Gottlieb to the studio joining Greg Anthony, Charles Barkley and Kenny “The Jet” Smith, Gottlieb tried to make a diversity joke and it backfired.

You can clearly see Anthony, Barkley and Smith glaring at Gottlieb and forcing laughter. It did catch them off-guard. And while I don’t believe Gottlieb meant anything malicious towards the four African-American men on the set, the joke sank like a 500 pound boulder in water. Had Gottlieb been more likable, he might have gotten some laughs.

For its part, CBS has issued a statement from Gottlieb:

“It was not a smart thing to say and I apologize.”

Barkley did come to Gottlieb’s defense later in the evening on TBS, but that was after reaction went negative to the comments.

Former ESPN colleague Mark May called for Gottlieb to be fired, but I don’t think CBS needs to go that far.

Certainly an interesting start to the second week of the NCAA Tournament and one in which CBS would probably want a mulligan.

CBS/Turner Announce Tip Times for Elite Eight Games on Saturday, March 30, 2013

This in from CBS and Turner Sports. The tip times for the first half East and West Regional Finals have been set. Both games will be on CBS Sports. The East Regional in Washington, DC will take place at 4:30 p.m. ET while the West Regional Final will tip off at 7:05 p.m.

All tip times and announcing assignments are listed below.

TURNER SPORTS AND CBS SPORTS ANNOUNCE TIP-TIMES FOR REGIONAL FINALS ON SATURDAY, MARCH 30 ON CBS

CBS Sports and Turner Sports announce tip-times and match-ups for the Regional Finals of the 2013 NCAA® Division I Men’s Basketball Championship on Saturday, March 30 on CBS.  Marquette will take on Syracuse in the first game at 4:30 PM, ET followed by Wichita State playing Ohio State at 7:05 PM, ET.

THE ROAD TO THE FINAL FOUR^® tips-off the day’s action on CBS (2:30 PM, ET) with host Greg Gumbel along with analysts Charles Barkley, Greg Anthony, Kenny Smith and Doug Gottlieb.

Below are the tip-times and announce assignments for Saturday’s Regional Final games. Tip times for Sunday’s Regional Final games will be announced after the conclusion of Friday’s games.

NCAA March Madness Live^® will continue to provide college basketball fans unparalleled multi-screen digital access to the 2013 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship including live streaming of every game. The digital suite of products will also feature video highlights, full game replays, real-time game alerts, live game scoring, real-time tournament brackets, personal channel lineup features, live stats, robust social media integration and more.

REGIONAL FINAL GAMESSATURDAY, MARCH 30
Tip (ET)	Network	Site	Game	Play-by-Play/Analyst//Reporter
4:30 p.m.	CBS	Washington, DC	Syracuse vs. Marquette	Verne Lundquist/Bill Raftery//Rachel Nichols
7:05 p.m.	CBS	Los Angeles	Wichita State vs. Ohio State	Kevin Harlan/Reggie Miller/Len Elmore//Lewis Johnson

And we’re done.

2013 NCAA Tournament Grabs Most Viewers Since 1993

The ratings and viewership for the NCAA Tournament continue to set records. CBS/Turner Sports note that the average 8.9 million combined viewers for the first week of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament on CBS, TBS, TNT and truTV are the most dating back twenty years. Last year, the first week average was 8.2 million viewers.

The Tournament is to date, averaging 5.8 rating and 12 share which is up 7% from 2012. Sunday’s final average household rating was 7.1/14 for the eight games on Sunday across the CBS/Turner consortium. That’s up an amazing 27% from last year.

Here’s the CBS/Turner press release.

THE 2013 NCAA^® DIVISION I MEN’S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP ON TBS, CBS, TNT AND truTV SCORES MOST-WATCHED FIRST WEEK IN 20 YEARS

First Week of Tournament Averages 8.9 Million Total Viewers and
Delivers 7 % Ratings Growth
Sunday’s Third-Round Coverage is Highest Rated in 13 Years, Up 27%

CBS Sports and Turner Sports’ exclusive live coverage of the 2013 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship across TBS, CBS, TNT and truTV combined to deliver the most viewed first week of the NCAA Tournament in 20 years (1993), according to Nielsen Fast National ratings.

The combined coverage averaged 8.9 million total viewers, up 9% over last year’s 8.2 million.

The 2013 NCAA Tournament is averaging a HH rating/share of 5.8/12, up 7% from a 5.4/12 last year, and is the highest average rating for the Tournament’s first week in 15 years (1998; 5.9/15).

Sunday’s coverage averaged 11.1 million viewers, up 29% from last year’s 8.6 million, making it the most watched first Sunday in 15 years.

Third-round coverage on Sunday, March 24 combined to deliver an average fast national HH rating/share of 7.1/14, up 27% from last year’s 5.6/11. The 7.1/14 is the highest rating for the first Sunday of the Tournament in 13 years (7.2/17; 2000).

Third round coverage on Sunday, March 24 scored with ratings increases across all four telecast windows:

• The first daytime telecast window (12:00-2:41 PM, ET) averaged a 5.0/12, up 39% over last year’s 3.6/9, the highest rating for the window in 11 years (5.2/13; 2002).
• The second daytime telecast window (2:57-5:18 PM, ET) averaged a 6.8/14, up 26% over last year’s 5.4/12, the highest rating for the window since 2006 (7.0/16).
• The first primetime telecast window (5:18-9:20 PM, ET) averaged a 10.9/20, up 31% over last year’s 8.3/16, the highest rating for the window in 20 years (12.6/27; 1993).

The second primetime window (8:01 PM-12:12 AM, ET) averaged a 5.9/10, up 4% vs. a 5.7/9 in 2012.

Social Buzz
Additionally, according to Bluefin, the opening week of the NCAA Tournament generated over 6.3 million comments across social media with comment volume up 154% over the same period last year.

Source: Nielsen Media Research, based on Fast National Data, Live +SD data stream. 3/19/13 to 03/24/13 vs. 03/13/12 to 03/18/12. 2013, 2012 and 2011 averages based on weighted average of 4 telecast gross across CBS, TBS, TNT and truTV. Historical audiences, CBS 1991 through 2005 based on Live data. 2006 through 2012 based on Live + SD. 2003 based on CBS / ESPN average of First Round. Social Media data based on Bluefin for the same dates of the Tournament.

That’s it.

CBS/Turner Crows About Sunday Overnights for NCAA Tournament

I’m out and about today. CBS/Turner are happy about Sunday’s overnight numbers. The day averaged a 7.6 rating with a 15 share, up a whopping 19% from last year, the highest for the first Sunday of the NCAA Tournament since 1993, and the first week is averaging a 6.3/14, the highest average in 23 years.

Thanks to the storyline of Florida Gulf Coast capturing America’s imagination, plus some compelling games for the most part, interest in the Tournament has been high.

We have the joint press release fom CBS and Turner Sports.

Turner Sports and CBS Sports’ Exclusive Coverage of the 2013 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship is Highest Rated in 23 Years

Sunday’s Third Round Coverage Highest Rated in 20 Years; Up 19% vs. 2012

CBS Sports and Turner Sports’ exclusive live coverage of the 2013 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship across TBS, CBS, TNT and truTV is averaging a 6.3/14 overnight rating/share, the highest rating for the opening week of the NCAA Tournament in 23 years, when the tournament expanded to its current format, according to Nielsen metered market ratings.

The networks’ combined coverage, from the NCAA First Four to the completion of the third round, is up 5% vs. last year’s comparable 6.0/13 rating.

Turner Sports and CBS Sports’ exclusive third round coverage on Sunday, March 24 – across TBS, CBS, TNT and truTV – averaged an overnight household rating/share of 7.6/15, the highest rating for the first Sunday of the NCAA Tournament in 20 years (8.5/20 in 1993). This year’s rating/share is up 19% compared with a 6.4/13 in 2012.

Sunday’s coverage showed audience increases in all four telecast windows including more than 20% in three of the four:

• The first daytime telecast window (12:00-2:45 p.m. ET) averaged a 5.4/13, the highest rating for the window since 2002 (5.8/13) and an increase of 26% over last year’s 4.3/11.
• The second daytime telecast window (3:00-5:15 p.m.) averaged a 7.2/15, tied with 2007 as the highest rating for the window since 2006 (7.5/16) and up 20% over last year’s 6.0/13.
• The first primetime telecast window (5:15-9:15 p.m.) averaged an 11.8/22, the highest rating for the window since 1991’s 12.1/24 and a 26% increase over a 9.4/18 in 2012.
• The second primetime window (8:00 p.m.-12:15 a.m.) averaged a 6.5/11, up 2% vs. a 6.4/10 in 2012.

Source: Nielsen Media Research, based on Metered Market data, Live +SD data stream. 3/19/13 to 03/24/13 vs. 03/13/12 to 03/18/12. 2013 averages based on weighted average of 4 telecast gross across CBS, TBS, TNT and truTV. Historical audiences, CBS 1991 through 2005 based on Live data. 2006 through 2010 based on Live + SD. 2003 based on CBS / ESPN average of First Round.

There you have it.

Sweet 16 Tip Times and Announcing Assignments for 2013 NCAA Tournament

Here we go for the tip times and announcing assignments for the Regional Semifinals on Thursday and Friday for the 2013 NCAA Tournament. CBS and TBS will share the games.

Verne Lundquist, Bill Raftery and Rachel Nichols are assigned to the East region.

Kevin Harlan, Len Elmore, Reggie Miller and Lewis Johnson are out West.

Jim Nantz, Clark Kellogg and Tracy Wolfson are in the Midwest.

And Marv Albert, Steve Kerr along with Craig Sager and his loud wardrobe are in Arlington, TX.

Oh, and Doug Gottlieb who tormented America on a total of six games on Thursday and Saturday will get to torment America in the studio for the Regional semis and finals. This won’t end well.

Without further delay, here’s what you are looking for.

CBS SPORTS AND TURNER SPORTS ANNOUNCE TIP TIMES AND ANNOUNCE TEAMS FOR REGIONAL SEMIFINALS

Exclusive Coverage Continues with Regional Semifinals on Thursday, March 28, and Friday, March 29

Turner Sports and CBS Sports announce tip times, match-ups and announce teams for its exclusive coverage of the 2013 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship Regional Semifinals on Thursday, March 28, and Friday, March 29 (7 p.m.-Midnight ET), with all games available in their entirety on TBS and CBS.  Coverage will begin both nights with the NCAA Tip-Off pregame show at 6 p.m. on TBS.

The announce teams for the Regional Semifinals and Finals are as follows:

Play-By-Play/Analyst//Reporter

Jim Nantz/Clark Kellogg//Tracy Wolfson
Marv Albert/Steve Kerr//Craig Sager
Verne Lundquist/Bill Raftery//Rachel Nichols
Kevin Harlan/Len Elmore/Reggie Miller//Lewis Johnson

Studio coverage will continue with Greg Gumbel hosting along with analysts Charles Barkley, Greg Anthony, Kenny Smith and Doug Gottlieb from the CBS Broadcast Center in New York. Ernie Johnson will host studio coverage from Turner Studios in Atlanta with analysts Seth Davis and Steve Smith.

Tip times for the Regional Finals on Saturday will be announced after the conclusion of Thursday’s games. Sunday’s tip times will be released after the conclusion of play on Friday.

NCAA March Madness Live® will continue to provide college basketball fans unparalleled multi-screen digital access to the 2013 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship including live streaming of every game.  The digital suite of products will also feature video highlights, full game replays, real-time game alerts, live game scoring, real-time tournament brackets, personal channel lineup features, live stats, robust social media integration and more.

THURSDAY, MARCH 28 (7 p.m.-Midnight ET)
Tip (ET)	Network	Site	Game	Play-by-Play/Analyst//Reporter
7:15 p.m.	CBS	Washington, D.C. I	Marquette vs. Miami	Verne Lundquist/Bill Raftery//Rachel Nichols
7:47 p.m.	TBS	Los Angeles I	Arizona vs. Ohio State	Kevin Harlan/Reggie Miller/Len Elmore//Lewis Johnson
9:45 p.m.	CBS	Washington, D.C II	Syracuse vs. Indiana	Verne Lundquist/Bill Raftery//Rachel Nichols
10:17 p.m.	TBS	Los Angeles II	La Salle vs. Wichita St.	Kevin Harlan/Reggie Miller/Len Elmore//Lewis Johnson

 

FRIDAY, MARCH 29 (7 p.m.-Midnight ET)
Tip (ET)	Network	Site	Game	Play-by-Play/Analyst//Reporter
7:15 p.m.	CBS	Indianapolis I	Oregon vs. Louisville	Jim Nantz/Clark Kellogg//Tracy Wolfson
7:37 p.m.	TBS	North Texas I	Kansas vs. Michigan	Marv Albert/Steve Kerr//Craig Sager
9:45 p.m.	CBS	Indianapolis II	Michigan State vs. Duke	Jim Nantz/Clark Kellogg//Tracy Wolfson
10:07 p.m.	TBS	North Texas II	Florida Gulf Coast vs. Florida	Marv Albert/Steve Kerr//Craig Sager

That’s it.

College Basketball Viewing Picks for 03/23 & 03/24/2013, All Times Eastern

Saturday, March 23

Pregame & Studio Shows
NCAA March Madness 360 — CBS Sports Network, 2 p.m.
NCAA Tip-Off — TNT, 5 p.m.
College GameDay Scoreboard — ESPN2, midnight
Inside March Madness — TBS, midnight
NCAA March Madness Bracket Breakdown — CBS Sports Network, 1 a.m. (Sunday)

Men’s
NCAA Tournament
3rd Round
East Region
Lexington, KY
Butler vs. Marquette — CBS, 7:45 p.m. (Ian Eagle/Jim Spanarkel//Allie LaForce)

San Jose, CA
Cal vs. Syracuse — TBS, 9:40 p.m. (Brian Anderson/Dan Bonner//Marty Snider)

Midwest Region
Auburn Hills, MI
Memphis vs. Michigan State — CBS, 2:45 p.m. (Verne Lundquist/Bill Raftery//Rachel Nichols)

Lexington, KY
Colorado State vs. Louisville — CBS, 5:15 p.m. (Ian Eagle/Jim Spanarkel//Allie LaForce)

San Jose, CA
Oregon vs. Saint Louis — TBS, 7:10 p.m. (Brian Anderson/Dan Bonner//Marty Snider)

South Region
Auburn Hills, MI
Virginia Commonwealth vs. Michigan — CBS, 12:15 p.m. (Verne Lundquist/Bill Raftery//Rachel Nicols)

Salt Lake City, UT
Harvard vs. Arizona — TNT, 6:10 p.m. (Spero Dedes/Doug Gottlieb//Jamie Maggio!!!)
Wichita State vs. Gonzaga — TNT, 8:40 p.m. (Spero Dedes/Doug Gottlieb//Jamie Maggio!!!)

National Invitation Tournament
2nd RoundStanford at Alabama — ESPN, 11 a.m. (Rich Hollenberg/Miles Simon)

Women’s
NCAA Tournament
1st Round

11 a.m
All Games on ESPN2
Quinnipiac vs. Maryland (Mark Kestecher/LaChina Robinson)
Central Michigan vs. Oklahoma (Clay Matvick/Swin Cash)
Creighton vs. Syracuse (Bob Wischusen/Nell Fortner)St. Joseph’s vs. Vanderbilt (Dave O’Brien/Doris Burke)

1:30 p.m.
All Games on ESPN2
Marist vs. Michigan State (Mark Kestecher/LaChina Robinson)
Stetson vs. UCLA (Clay Matvick/Swin Cash)
Oral Roberts vs. Tennessee (Bob Wischusen/Nell Fortner)
Idaho vs. UConn (Dave O’Brien/Doris Burke)

4 p.m.
All Games on ESPN2
South Dakota State vs. South Carolina (Mark Jones/Fran Fraschilla)
Wichita State vs. Texas A&M (Carter Blackburn/Maria Taylor)
Fresno State vs. Cal (Cara Capuano/Stephen Bardo)
Gonzaga vs. Iowa State (Dave Flemming/Sean Farnham)

6:30 p.m.
All Games on ESPN2
Kansas vs. Colorado (Mark Jones/Fran Fraschilla)
Chattanooga vs. Nebraska (Carter Blackburn/Maria Taylor)
South Florida vs. Texas (Cara Capuano/Stephen Bardo)
Montana vs. Georgia (Dave Flemming/Sean Farnham)

Sunday, March 24

Pregame & Studio Shows
NCAA March Madness 360 — CBS Sports Network, 2 p.m.
NCAA Basketball Tournament Press Conferences — Big Ten Network, 5 p.m.
NCAA Tip-Off — TNT, 5 p.m.
NCAA March Madness 360 — CBS Sports Network, 10 p.m.
College GameDay Scoreboard — ESPN2, midnight
Inside March Madness — TBS, midnight
NCAA March Madness Bracket Breakdown — CBS Sports Network, 12:30 a.m. (Monday)

Men’s
NCAA Tournament
3rd Round
East Region
Dayton, OH
Temple vs. Indiana — CBS, 2:45 p.m. (Jim Nantz/Clark Kellogg//Tracy Wolfson)

Austin, TX
Illinois vs. Miami — TNT, 8:40 p.m. (Tim Brando/Mike Gminski//Otis Livingston)

Midwest Region
Philadelphia, PA
Creighton vs. Duke — TBS, 9:40 p.m. (Kevin Harlan/Len Elmore/Reggie Miller//Lewis Johnson)

South Region
Kansas City, MO
North Carolina vs. Kansas — CBS, 5:15 p.m. (Marv Albert/Steve Kerr//Craig Sager)

Austin, TX
Minnesota vs. Florida — TNT, 6:10 p.m. (Tim Brando/Mike Gminski//Otis Livingston)

Philadelphia, PA
Florida Gulf Coast vs. San Diego State — TBS (Kevin Harlan/Len Elmore/Reggie Miller//Lewis Johnson)

West Region
Dayton, OH
Iowa State vs. Ohio State — CBS, 12:15 p.m. (Jim Nantz/Clark Kellogg//Tracy Wolfson)

Kansas City, MO
La Salle vs. Mississippi — truTV, 7:45 p.m. (Marv Albert/Steve Kerr//Craig Sager)

National Invitation Tournament
2nd Round
St. John’s at Virginia — ESPN, noon (Mike Crispino/Derek Whittenberg)

Women’s
NCAA Tournament
1st Round

Noon
All Games on ESPN2
West Virginia vs. Delaware (Pam Ward/Rebecca Lobo)
Hampton vs. Duke (Joe Davis/Debbie Antonelli)
Liberty vs. Purdue (Melissa Lee/Brooke Weisbrod)
Navy vs. Kentucky (Bob Picozzi/Rosalyn Gold-Onwude) (also on ESPNU)

2:30 p.m.
All Games on ESPN2
Albany vs. North Carolina (Pam Ward/Rebecca Lobo)
DePaul vs. Oklahoma State (Joe Davis/Debbie Antonelli)
Middle Tennessee vs. Louisville (Melissa Lee/Brooke Weisbrod)
St. John’s vs. Dayton (Bob Picozzi/Rosalyn Gold-Onwude)

5 p.m.
All Games on ESPN2
Cal Poly vs. Penn State (Tom Hart/Krista Blunk)
Tennessee-Martin vs. Notre Dame (Holly Rowe/Brenda VanLengen)
Tulsa vs. Stanford (Dave Pasch/Mary Murphy)
Princeton vs. Florida State (Beth Mowins/Stephanie White)

7:30 p.m.
All Games on ESPN2
Green Bay vs. LSU (Tom Hart/Krista Blunk)
Iowa vs. Miami (FL) (Holly Rowe/Brenda VanLengen)
Villanova vs. Michigan (Dave Pasch/Mary Murphy)
Prairie View A&M vs. Baylor (Beth Mowins/Stephanie White)

Tip Times for Sunday of 3rd Round of 2013 NCAA Tournament

Ok, the tip times are in for the final day of the opening weekend of the 75th NCAA Tournament.

CBS SPORTS AND TURNER SPORTS ANNOUNCE TIP TIMES AND MATCH-UPS FOR THIRD ROUND GAMES ON SUNDAY, MARCH 24

Turner Sports and CBS Sports announce tip times and match-ups for exclusive third round coverage of the 2013 NCAA® Division I Men’s Basketball Championship on Sunday, March 24 (Noon-Midnight ET) with all games available in their entirety across four national television networks – TBS, CBS, TNT and truTV.

Studio coverage will feature Greg Gumbel and Ernie Johnson sharing hosting duties. Charles Barkley, Greg Anthony and Kenny Smith will provide analysis throughout the tournament alongside Gumbel or Johnson from the CBS Broadcast Center in New York. Matt Winer will host studio coverage from Turner Studios in Atlanta with analysts Seth Davis and Steve Smith and Pittsburgh head coach Jamie Dixon as an in-studio guest analyst.

Following are the tip times for Sunday’s third round games, as well as the announce and production team assignments. Tip times for the Regional Semifinals (Thursday, March 28, and Friday, Mach 29) will be announced after the conclusion of the games on Sunday, March 24. For a complete channel guide see the “Channel Finder” feature at NCAA.com/MyChannels.

NCAA March Madness Live® will continue to provide college basketball fans unparalleled multi-screen digital access to the 2013 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship including live streaming of every game. The digital suite of products will also feature video highlights, full game replays, real-time game alerts, live game scoring, real-time tournament brackets, personal channel lineup features, live stats, robust social media integration and more.

 

THIRD ROUND GAMES SUNDAY, MARCH 24 (Noon-Midnight ET)
12:15 p.m.	CBS	Dayton I	Iowa State vs. Ohio State	Jim Nantz/Clark Kellogg//Tracy Wolfson
2:45 p.m.	CBS	Dayton II	Temple vs. Indiana	Jim Nantz/Clark Kellogg//Tracy Wolfson
5:15 p.m.	CBS	Kansas City I	North Carolina vs. Kansas	Marv Albert/Steve Kerr//Craig Sager
6:10 p.m.	TNT	Austin I	Minnesota vs. Florida	Tim Brando/Mike Gminski//Otis Livingston
7:10 pm	TBS	Philadelphia I	Florida Gulf Coast vs. San Diego State	Kevin Harlan/Len Elmore/Reggie Miller//Lewis Johnson
7:45 p.m.	truTV	Kansas City II	La Salle vs. Ole Miss	Marv Albert/Steve Kerr//Craig Sager
8:40 p.m.	TNT	Austin II	Illinois vs. Miami	Tim Brando/Mike Gminski//Otis Livingston
9:40 p.m.	TBS	Philadelphia II	Creighton vs. Duke	Kevin Harlan/Len Elmore/Reggie Miller//Lewis Johnson

That will do it.

CBS/Turner Deliver Most Viewers to 1st Thursday of NCAA Tournament Since 1991

This from CBS/Turner Sports. The final ratings are in for the first Thursday of the 2013 NCAA Tournament and they are good. This CBS/TBS/TNT/truTV combination combined for an overall 5.5 household rating with a 12 share. That is up 4% from 2012 and it’s the highest rating dating back to 1994 when CBS was in the early days of airing the Tournament solo.

The viewership numbers are also good. CBS/TBS/TNT/truTV received an average viewership of 8.1 million which is the highest since 1991.

The NCAA Tournament is averaging a 5.0/11 thus far.

Here’s what CBS/Turner want you to know about all this.

2013 NCAA^® Division I Men’s Basketball Championship on TBS, CBS, TNT and truTv is Most-Watched First Thursday Since 1991

Thursday’s NCAA Tournament Coverage Delivers a 5.5 U.S. HH Rating and 8.1 Million Total Viewers
NCAA Tournament to Date is Most Watched in 20 Years

CBS Sports and Turner Sports’ exclusive second round coverage of the 2013 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship across TBS, CBS, TNT and truTV on Thursday, March 21, combined to deliver the most viewed (8.1 million total viewers) first Thursday of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship since 1991, when the tournament expanded to four telecast windows, according to Nielsen Fast Nationals.

Thursday’s coverage earned a Fast National U.S. household rating/share of a 5.5/12, +4% vs. 2012, 5.3/13, the highest average rating for the first Thursday of the NCAA Tournament in 19 years (5.6/14, 1994).

The 2013 NCAA Tournament to date, including the First Four, is averaging a 5.0/11, +6% from last year’s 4.7/11, and is tied with the highest-to-date rating since 2006 (5.0/11).

Overall, the 2013 NCAA Tournament to date is the most-watched in 20 years (1993). The First Four and Thursday’s coverage averaged 7.4 million viewers, +7% vs. 6.9 million viewers last year.

• The first telecast window of the day combined to earn a 4.0/13, +14% vs. last year’s 3.5/13.
• The second telecast window of the day combined to earn a 5.1/13, +6% vs. last year’s 4.8/13.
• The third telecast window of the day combined to earn a 7.1/12, +11% vs. last year’s 6.4/12.
• The fourth telecast window of the day combined to earn a 5.9/11 vs. last year’s 6.4/12.

Source: Nielsen Media Research, based on Fast National Data, Live +SD data stream. 3/19/13 to 03/21/13 vs. 03/13/12 to 03/15/12. 2013, 2012 and 2011 averages based on weighted average of 4 telecast gross across CBS, TBS, TNT and truTV. Historical audiences, CBS 1991 through 2005 based on Live data. 2006 through 2012 based on Live + SD. 2003 based on CBS/ESPN average of First Round.

There it is.

NCAA Tournament Overnight Ratings for 1st Thursday Best in 22 Years

The CBS/Turner Sports partnership for the NCAA Tournament is working. Having all of the games available nationally and no regionalization has led to higher ratings for the first Thursday of the Big Dance. CBS/Turner says the Tournament garnered a 5.8 overnight rating and a 14 share for the 16 games played last night. That’s up 4% from last year’s 5.6/13. And yesterday’s numbers were the highest for the first Thursday of the NCAA Tournament dating back to 1991. That’s quite impressive.

Here’s what CBS/Turner has to tell us about the Thursday overnight rating for the NCAA Tournament on CBS/TBS/TNT/truTV. Check it all out below in black and white.

2013 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship on TBS, CBS, TNT and truTV Scores Highest Rating for First Thursday of Tournament in 22 Years

Thursday’s NCAA Tournament Coverage Earns 5.8 Overnight Rating, Up 4% vs. 2012

CBS Sports and Turner Sports’ exclusive second round coverage of the 2013 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship across TBS, CBS, TNT and truTV on Thursday, March 21, averaged an overnight household rating/share of 5.8/14, the highest rating for the first Thursday of the NCAA Tournament in 22 years.  The 5.8/14 is up 4% compared with a 5.6/13 in 2012.

Thursday’s coverage showed significant audience increases in three of the four telecast windows, including several record setters.

• The first daytime telecast window (12-4:15 p.m. ET) averaged a 4.1/14 to deliver the second highest rating for the time slot since 1991, when the tournament expanded to four telecast windows for the entire day (trailing only 2011’s 4.4/15).  The telecast window is up 5% compared with a 3.9/13 last year.
• The second daytime telecast window (2:30-7:15 p.m.) averaged a 5.5/15 to garner the highest rating ever for the time slot.  The window is up 6% over last year’s 5.2/14.
• The first primetime telecast window (7-10:15 p.m.) averaged a 7.4/14 to register the highest rating ever for the time slot.  The window is up 9% over a 6.8/13 in 2012.
• The second primetime window (9:30 p.m.-12:45 a.m.) averaged a 6.4/11, which included a pair of lopsided victories (VCU’s 46-point win vs. Akron and Syracuse’s 47-point triumph vs. Montana), vs. a 6.8/12 in 2012.

Tournament to date, including the NCAA First Four, the 2013 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship is averaging a 5.2/12, up 2% compared with a 5.1/12 at this same time last year. For the third consecutive year, Turner Sports and CBS Sports are providing exclusive live coverage of all 67 games from the 2013 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship across the four national television networks.

Source:  Nielsen Media Research, based on Metered Market data, Live +SD data stream.  3/19/13 to  03/21/13 vs. 03/13/12 to 03/15/12.  2013 averages based on weighted average of 4 telecast gross across CBS, TBS, TNT and truTV.  Historical audiences, CBS 1991 through 2005 based on Live data.  2006 through 2010 based on Live + SD.  2003 based on CBS / ESPN average of First Round. 

That’s it.

2013 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship on TBS, CBS, TNT and truTV Scores Highest Rating for First Thursday of Tournament in 22 Years

Thursday’s NCAA Tournament Coverage Earns 5.8 Overnight Rating, Up 4% vs. 2012

CBS Sports and Turner Sports’ exclusive second round coverage of the 2013 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship across TBS, CBS, TNT and truTV on Thursday, March 21, averaged an overnight household rating/share of 5.8/14, the highest rating for the first Thursday of the NCAA Tournament in 22 years.  The 5.8/14 is up 4% compared with a 5.6/13 in 2012.

Thursday’s coverage showed significant audience increases in three of the four telecast windows, including several record setters.                               

§  The first daytime telecast window (12-4:15 p.m. ET) averaged a 4.1/14 to deliver the second highest rating for the time slot since 1991, when the tournament expanded to four telecast windows for the entire day (trailing only 2011’s 4.4/15).  The telecast window is up 5% compared with a 3.9/13 last year.

§  The second daytime telecast window (2:30-7:15 p.m.) averaged a 5.5/15 to garner the highest rating ever for the time slot.  The window is up 6% over last year’s 5.2/14.

§  The first primetime telecast window (7-10:15 p.m.) averaged a 7.4/14 to register the highest rating ever for the time slot.  The window is up 9% over a 6.8/13 in 2012.

§  The second primetime window (9:30 p.m.-12:45 a.m.) averaged a 6.4/11, which included a pair of lopsided victories (VCU’s 46-point win vs. Akron and Syracuse’s 47-point triumph vs. Montana), vs. a 6.8/12 in 2012.

Tournament to date, including the NCAA First Four, the 2013 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship is averaging a 5.2/12, up 2% compared with a 5.1/12 at this same time last year. 

For the third consecutive year, Turner Sports and CBS Sports are providing exclusive live coverage of all 67 games from the 2013 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship across the four national television networks. 

-30-

Source:  Nielsen Media Research, based on Metered Market data, Live +SD data stream.  3/19/13 to  03/21/13 vs. 03/13/12 to 03/15/12.  2013 averages based on weighted average of 4 telecast gross across CBS, TBS, TNT and truTV.  Historical audiences, CBS 1991 through 2005 based on Live data.  2006 through 2010 based on Live + SD.  2003 based on CBS / ESPN average of First Round. 

truTV Sees Higher Ratings For NCAA First Four

We’re still getting used to the concept of the four NCAA Tournament play-in games. And while the NCAA tries to make it sound nice with “First Four™”, they still have a long way before they’re engrained into the national consciousness. However, truTV which airs the games can hang its hat on higher ratings from the year before.

Total viewership reached 4.477 million people. That’s up from 3.937 million last year. Average rating for the four games was a 2.9 household rating up 12% from last year.

In addition, Wednesday night’s doubleheader saw a 22% hike in viewership from 2012.

Let’s take a look at what CBS/Turner is saying about the First Four™ numbers.

NCAA First Four™ on truTV Delivers 14 Percent Audience Growth

The NCAA First Four™ on truTV grossed 4,477,000 total viewers, an increase of 14 percent over 3,937,000 total viewers for last year’s comparable telecasts, based on Nielsen Fast Nationals. The corresponding 2.9 U.S. HH rating for the four telecasts this year is up 12 percent over a 2.6 U.S. HH rating in 2012.

Wednesday night’s doubleheader on truTV (March 20) grossed 2,250,000 total viewers to become the most-watched second day of the First Four™. Wednesday’s coverage – LIU-Brooklyn vs. James Madison at 6:30 p.m. ET, followed by  Boise State vs. La Salle at 9:15 p.m. – grossed a 1.5 U.S. HH rating, up 25 percent compared with last year’s 1.2 U.S.HH rating. Viewership was up 22 percent when compared with last year’s 1,840,000 total viewers.

Tuesday’s First Four™ doubleheader on truTV (March 19) grossed 2,227,000 total viewers, up six percent when compared with an average of 2,097,000 total viewers for last year’s comparable telecasts. The Tuesday night doubleheader – North Carolina A&T vs. Liberty at 6:30 p.m., followed by Middle Tennessee vs. St. Mary’s (Calif.) at 9:15 p.m. – grossed a 1.5 U.S. HH rating, which was even with last year’s first two telecasts.

For the third consecutive year, Turner Sports and CBS Sports are providing live coverage of all 67 games from the 2013 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship across four national television networks – TBS, CBS, TNT and truTV.

Source: Nielsen Media Research. Based on Live+SD.  2013 NCAA First Four on truTV based on Nielsen Fast National data (03/19/2013 to 03/20/13) compared 2012 and 2011 game dates of the First Four on truTV . 

That’s all.

Tip Times for Saturday of 3rd Round of 2013 NCAA Tournament

CBS/Turner has sent out the tip times for Saturday.

TURNER SPORTS AND CBS SPORTS ANNOUNCE TIP TIMES AND MATCH-UPS FOR THIRD ROUND GAMES ON SATURDAY, MARCH 23

CBS Sports and Turner Sports announce tip times and match-ups for third round coverage of the 2013 NCAA® Division I Men’s Basketball Championship on Saturday, March 23 (Noon-Midnight ET) with all games available in their entirety across four national television networks – TBS, CBS, TNT and truTV.

Studio coverage will continue with Greg Gumbel and Ernie Johnson sharing hosting duties. Charles Barkley, Greg Anthony and Kenny Smith will provide analysis throughout the tournament alongside Gumbel or Johnson from the CBS Broadcast Center in New York. Matt Winer will host the studio coverage from Turner Studios in Atlanta with analysts Seth Davis and Steve Smith on Saturday and Sunday.

Following are the tip times for Saturday’s third round games, as well as the announce team assignments. Tip times for the third round games on Sunday will be announced on Friday after the conclusion of the day’s games. For a complete channel guide see the channel finder at NCAA.com/MyChannels.

NCAA March Madness Live^® will continue to provide college basketball fans unparalleled multi-screen digital access to the 2013 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship including live streaming of every game.  The digital suite of products will also feature video highlights, full game replays, real-time game alerts, live game scoring, real-time tournament brackets, personal channel lineup features, live stats, robust social media integration and more.

THIRD ROUND GAMES SATURDAY, MARCH 23 (Noon-Midnight ET)
12:15 p.m.	CBS	Auburn Hills I	VCU vs. Michigan	Verne Lundquist/Bill Raftery//Rachel Nichols
2:45 p.m.	CBS	Auburn Hills II	Memphis vs. Michigan St.	Lundquist/Bill Raftery//Rachel Nichols
5:15 p.m.	CBS	Lexington I	Colorado State vs. Louisville	Ian Eagle/Jim Spanarkel//Allie LaForce
6:10 p.m.	TNT	Salt Lake City I	Harvard vs. Arizona	Spero Dedes/Doug Gottlieb//Jamie Maggio
7:10 pm	TBS	San Jose I	Oregon vs. St. Louis	Brian Anderson/Dan Bonner//Marty Snider
7:45 p.m.	CBS	Lexington II	Butler vs. Marquette	Ian Eagle/Jim Spanarkel//Allie LaForce
8:40 p.m.	TNT	Salt Lake City II	Wichita St. vs. Gonzaga	Spero Dedes/Doug Gottlieb//Jamie Maggio
9:40 p.m.	TBS	San Jose II	California vs. Syracuse	Brian Anderson/Dan Bonner//Marty Snider

That is all.

34th Annual Sports Emmy Awards Nominations Announced

Just received this from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, the full press release of the nominations for the 34th Annual Sports Emmy Awards.

NBC Sports Group received the most nominations with 58 followed by ESPN with 43 and Turner in third with 27.

Bob Costas was nominated yet again for Outstanding Studio Host along with Dan Patrick, James Brown, Ernie Johnson and Rich Eisen.

There were only four nominees for Outstanding Play-by-play, Mike Breen, Mike Emrick, Al Michaels and Jim Nantz.

Cris Collinsworth received another nomination for Outstanding Event Analyst. He’s joined by Ato Boldon of NBC Olympics, Jon Gruden, Jim Kaat and Mike Mayock.

Studio Analyst was full with Charles Barkley of TNT, Tony Dungy of NBC’s Football Night in America, CBS’ Boomer Esiason, MLB Network’s Harold Reynolds, Bill Ripken also from MLB Network and Kurt Warner of NFL Network.

Let us take a look at the full list. We need a jump break in here as well. Let’s go. Lots of things to read through. Get ready to scroll.

THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF TELEVISION ARTS & SCIENCES ANNOUNCES THE NOMINEES FOR THE 34th ANNUAL SPORTS EMMY® AWARDS

Winners to be Honored During the May 7th Ceremony At Frederick P. Rose Hall, Home of Jazz at Lincoln Center

New York, NY – March 20, 2013 – The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) today announced the nominees for the 34th Annual Sports Emmy® Awards.

More than 170 nominees were announced in 34 categories including Outstanding Live Sports Special, Live Series, Sports Documentary, Studio Show, Promotional Announcements, Play-by-Play Personality and Studio Analyst. The Awards will be given out at the prestigious Frederick P. Rose Hall, Home of Jazz at Lincoln Center located in the Time Warner Center on Tuesday, May 7th, 2013 in New York City.

“What a world we live in,” said Malachy Wienges, Chair, NATAS. “The Olympics, NASCAR, the Super Bowl, the Final Four, the World Series, The Stanley Cup, The NBA, the US Open, the Masters…it just goes on and on! This is another outstanding year for the sports community and for The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. The entries received in this year’s Sports Emmy Awards illustrate the high-water mark of quality each of us gets to enjoy every time we turn on our favorite program. With so much talent vying for the prestigious Emmy Award and with many of the today’s leading sports broadcasters, personalities, and television professionals in attendance, it promises to be an exciting evening.”

The networks of NBC Sports Group (NBC, NBC Sports Network, Golf Channel nbcolympics.com, Bravo, CNBC, MSNBC, nbcsports.com, & Telemundo) lead the nomination totals with 58, ESPN (ESPN, ESPN2, grantland.com, ABC, ESPN3D, ESPNU & ESPNews), garnered 43, and Turner Sports (TNT, TBS, NBA TV, NCAA.com & truTV) garnered 27. A complete list of all Networks and individual show nominations follows below.

A complete list of all nominees is attached and also available at www.emmyonline.tv/sports

34th Annual Sports Emmy Award Nominations by Network Group
Network or Network Group Nominations

NBC Sports Group (NBC, NBC Sports Network, Golf Channel, nbcolympics.com, Bravo, CNBC, MSNBC, nbcsports.com, Telemundo) — 58
ESPN (ESPN, ESPN 2, grantland.com, ABC, ESPN 3D, ESPNU, ESPNews) — 43
Turner Sports (TNT, TBS, NBA TV, truTV, NCAA.com) — 27
FOX Sports Media Group (FOX, SPEED, FOX Soccer Channel) — 17
HBO Sports — 17
NFL Network (NFL Network, NFL Media, NFL.com) — 16
CBS (CBS, Showtime, CBS Sports Network) — 15
MLB Network — 9
DIRECTV — 1
YouTube — 1

34th Annual Sports Emmy Award Nominations by Network

NETWORK — NOMINATIONS

NBC — 36
ESPN — 23
HBO Sports — 17
FOX — 13
NFL Network — 13
TNT — 13
CBS — 10
ESPN2 — 10
MLB Network — 9
NBC Sports Network — 9
TBS — 5
NBA TV — 4
Showtime — 4
truTV — 4
grantland.com — 3
NBCOlympics.com — 3
Speed — 3
ABC — 2
Bravo — 2
ESPN3D — 2
ESPNU — 2
Golf Channel — 2
MSNBC — 2
NFL Media — 2
Telemundo — 2
CBS Sports Network — 1
CNBC — 1
DIRECTV — 1
ESPNews — 1
FOX Soccer Channel — 1
nbcsports.com — 1
NCAA.com — 1
NFL.com — 1
YouTube — 1

BREAKDOWN OF MULTIPLE PROGRAM — SERIES NOMINATIONS

Program/Network/Nominations
Games of the XXX Olympiad (NBC/Bravo/CNBC/MSNBC/NBC SportsNetwork/NBCOlympics.com/Telemundo) — 14
NBA on TNT (TNT) — 6
Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel (TNT) — 6
E:60 (ESPN2) — 5
24/7 (HBO) — 4
Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Miami Dolphins (HBO) — 4
MLB on FOX (FOX) — 4
Outside the Lines (ESPN) — 4
Sunday Night Football (NBC) — 4
NASCAR on FOX (FOX) — 3
NFL Films Presents (NFL Network) — 3
30 for 30 (ESPN) — 2
A Football Life (NFL Network) — 2
College Gameday (ESPN) — 2
The Dream Team (NBA TV) — 2
Inside the NBA (NBA TV) — 2
Inside the NFL (Showtime) –2
MLB Network Division Series (MLB Network) — 2
MLB Tonight (MLB Network) — 2
Namath (HBO) — 2
NCAA March Madness (TBS) — 2
NFL on FOX (FOX) — 2
SportsCenter (ESPN) — 2
Sport Science (ESPN/ESPN2/ESPNews) — 2
UEFA Euro 2012 (ESPN) — 2

The nominations are coming after a jump break.
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