North Carolina secured a spot in the Sweet 16 by defeating Michigan State in a highly anticipated matchup, with a record-breaking TV audience tuning in to watch the game.

The Big Picture

The high viewership for this game reflects the sustained interest in the NCAA Tournament and signals positive momentum for college basketball.

By the Numbers
  • 10.02 million viewers watched the North Carolina-Michigan State game on TV, making it the most-watched game of the tournament so far.
  • The full three-game window recorded a combined 8.1 rating and 16.59 million viewers across CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV.
State of Play
  • The tournament ratings are up this year, indicating continued strong interest despite changes in college basketball such as the transfer portal and NIL.
  • Premier matchups in the Sweet 16 and potentially the Elite 8 could sustain high ratings throughout the tournament.
What's Next

The strong viewership for the North Carolina-Michigan State game sets a promising tone for future tournament games, with potentially high ratings expected for upcoming matchups.

Bottom Line

The record viewership for the game between North Carolina and Michigan State underscores the ongoing appeal of the NCAA Tournament and bodes well for the tournament's overall ratings, indicating a positive outlook for college basketball's popularity.