HOOPS WIN WEEK; IDOL FALLS AGAIN

CBS’s coverage of the final game of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championships between Louisville and Michigan easily topped the weekly Nielsen ratings list with 23.4 million total viewers, 10.6 million of whom were in the advertiser-prized 18-49 age group. There was pretty much the same cast of characters among the remaining top ten, although their order changed a bit. Noticeably, Fox’s American Idol tied for eight and tenth place, as its results telecast on Thursday drew 9.1 million viewers, besting its performance telecast on Wednesday with 8.6 million. There was not much change in the evening news ratings, either. NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams continued to lead with an average audience of 8.3 million. ABC World News with Diane Sawyer remained in second place with 7.5 million viewers, while the CBS Evening News with Scott Pelley trailed with 6.2 million. For the week overall, CBS was well out in front with an average 6.9 rating and an 11 share. ABC placed second with a 3.9/6, just edging out Fox with a 3.7/6. NBC trailed with a 3.3/6.

The top ten shows of the week according to Nielsen Research:
1. NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship, CBS, 14.0/22; 2. NCIS, CBS, 10.8/17; 3. NCIS: Los Angeles, CBS, 8.9/13; 4. Dancing with the Stars (Monday), ABC, 8.8/13; 5. The Voice, NBC, 8.4/13; 6. The Voice (Tuesday), NBC, 8.2/13; 7. Dancing with the Stars (Tuesday), ABC, 8.1/12; 8. 60 Minutes, CBS, 8.0/13; 8. (Tie) American Idol (Thursday), Fox, 8.0/13; 10. American Idol (Wednesday), Fox, 7.5/12; 10. (Tie) Prelude to a Championship, CBS, 7.5/11.