Release

THE 2011 NCAA(R) DIVISION I MEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP ON CBS, TBS, TNT AND truTV DELIVERS HIGHEST RATING SINCE 2005

CBS Sports' and Turner Sports' exclusive live coverage of the 2011 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship across TBS, CBS, TNT and truTV combined, delivered the best overall tournament average rating in the metered markets since 2005.

 

The overall tournament average, including the FIRST FOUR®, in the metered markets is a 7.2/15, +9% from a 6.6/14 for CBS Sports' 2010 coverage according to Nielsen.

 

Last night's national championship game on Monday, April 4, which saw Connecticut defeat Butler, earned an average overnight household rating/share of 13.3/21.  Although down from last year, last night's game was higher than three-out-of-the-last five Championship games (2009, 2008, 2006).  It was the second year in a row that Butler lost the national championship after last year's Cinderella team had a heart-stopping loss to powerhouse Duke.  

 

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CONTACTS:

Jennifer Sabatelle          CBS Sports     212-975-4120              jsabatelle@cbs.com

Jerry Caraccioli            CBS Sports      212-975-7466             gwcaraccioli@cbs.com

Sal Petruzzi                   Turner Sports   212-275-6897             sal.petruzzi@turner.com            

Jeff Pomeroy                Turner Sports   404-827-4786             jeff.pomeroy@turner.com