It’s no surprise that Saturday night’s Final Four matchup between Duke and UNC scored a huge television rating. And Sunday’s report confirmed just that.
According to the NCAA, Duke-UNC was the most-watched men’s Final Four semifinal game since 2017; delivering an average of 16.3. million viewers that tuned in.
.@DukeMBB vs. @UNC_Basketball is most-watched NCAA Division I
Men’s Final Four National Semifinal Game since 2017Full release: https://t.co/17Hop8Iaq9 pic.twitter.com/S6xAiL7vq5
— March Madness Men’s Basketball TV (@MM_MBB_TV) April 3, 2022
Fans across the sport reacted to the ratings news on social media.
“16.3 million viewers is the number for Duke-UNC. Imagine how many more viewers it would have gotten if the game was on CBS…” tweeted one user.
16.3 million viewers is the number for Duke-UNC.
Imagine how many more viewers it would have gotten if the game was on CBS… https://t.co/ovfFcKagwt— Nicholas Hodell (@HodellSports) April 3, 2022
Apparently people were interested… https://t.co/uvGjQiubcw
— Aaron Beard (@aaronbeardap) April 3, 2022
“When out-of-home is added, it’s gonna be a whopper,” said Jon Wilner.
When out-of-home is added, it’s gonna be a whopper https://t.co/nqMQfAJfTm
— Jon Wilner (@wilnerhotline) April 3, 2022
“They’re projecting 16.3M total audience for UNC/Duke (note: projection does NOT include out of home so final # will be higher),” another account commented. Noting, “Best in 5 years but lower than many were predicting and even w/OOH likely still millions fewer than the Wisc/Kentucky semi on Turner nets in 2015.”
They’re projecting 16.3M total audience for UNC/Duke (note: projection does NOT include out of home so final # will be higher). Best in 5 years but lower than many were predicting and even w/OOH likely still millions fewer than the Wisc/Kentucky semi on Turner nets in 2015. https://t.co/I5t5mgVTUz
— Sports TV Ratings (@SportsTVRatings) April 3, 2022
“It was by far the best game of the tournament and the best game in final four history,” said one college hoops fan. “It was an honor and a privilege to watch last night.”
It was by far the best game of the tournament and the best game in final four history. It was an honor and a privilege to watch last night. https://t.co/uGrTEoUb0V
— Martin Roche (@martinroche1118) April 3, 2022
A big number for a historic night in college basketball.
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