It’s difficult for college basketball to draw decent ratings early in the season as it goes against bowls and sometimes the NFL. However, when you have two storied programs and in-state rivals like Kentucky and Louisville, it can sometimes buck the trend. On ESPN2 last Saturday, the Wildcats and Cardinals faced off opposite the Sun Bowl on CBS and the Military Bowl on ESPN.
While CBS’ Sun Bowl drew better with a 2.6 overnight rating, Kentucky-Louisville held its own with a 2.1 which is a record overnight rating for college basketball game on ESPN2. Meanwhile, the Military Bowl garnered a 2.0 on ESPN.
College Basketball: Kentucky at Louisville posts 2.1 overnight rating, ESPN2's best ever for college basketball game pic.twitter.com/RO7KfL6ZFa
— ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) December 29, 2014
To do so well especially in bowl season tells us that college basketball can draw provided you have a decent matchup and game to boot. Sports Media Watch notes that the 2.1 overnight matched the same number when the game aired on CBS last year.
Overall, the Kentucky-Louisville game is an attractive game and ESPN was more than happy to have the game on one of its networks. The proof is in the numbers.’
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About Ken Fang
Ken has been covering the sports media in earnest at his own site, Fang's Bites since May 2007 and at Awful Announcing since March 2013.
He provides a unique perspective having been an award-winning radio news reporter in Providence and having worked in local television.
Fang celebrates the four Boston Red Sox World Championships in the 21st Century, but continues to be a long-suffering Cleveland Browns fan.