The all-brand name Final Four has paid dividends for CBS so far, as the network received its highest Final Four ratings since 2005.
NCAA Championship 2012: CBS Has Best TV Ratings Since 2005
However, the ratings were only 1 percent higher than last year, when the Final Four featured two Cinderella programs in Butler and VCU.
Kentucky-Lousiville received a 8.4, while Ohio State-Kansas got a 9.6 rating, as the later-starting game traditionally performs better in the ratings.
With four huge schools with readily available storylines competing in New Orleans, television executives were salivating all week, especially for the opportunity to showcase the rivalry between John Calipari and Rick Pitino.
Without any signature buzzer-beaters, ratings for the Tournament are down 5 percent across the board from 2011.
However, with the high-profile Wildcats advancing to the championship game, and giving fans across the country a chance to see likely No. 1 overall pick Anthony Davis and two more lottery selections in Terrence Jones and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, CBS should be really happy when the final ratings come out.
For more on the 2012 NCAA Tournament bracket, stick around SB Nation’s NCAA Tournament hub for a complete printable NCAA Tournament bracket. For more on this game, check out our 2012 Final Four StoryStream.
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