The AP reported that CBS earned a 4.7/12 Nielsen rating
for its Thursday and Friday NCAA tournament coverage, down 2%
from last year. Thursday's four games scored a 4.7/12, down
2% from last year, while Friday's games posted a 4.8/12, even
with last year's coverage (AP, 3/14). USA TODAY's Rudy
Martzke writes that "thrilling endings" have "eluded CBS."
CBS Sports Exec Producer Terry Ewert: "We've only had two
buzzer-beaters compared to 11 last year" (USA TODAY, 3/15).
MIXED REVIEWS: In San Antonio, Arthur Garcia writes that
CBS has "done a good job" by "keeping coverage smooth and
allowing for timely cut-ins of other games" (S.A. EXPRESS-
NEWS, 3/15). But in Cincinnati, John Fay writes that "CBS's
chances of getting through March Madness without making a lot
of people angry are none and none," as fans complained about
game switches in the Cincinnati market (CIN. ENQUIRER, 3/15).
BUSTED BANK: Despite having 100,000 entries in its $1M
challenge for the perfect NCAA tournament bracket, the
"excitement" for Wall Street Sports' contest "lasted about 12
hours," as by 12:24am ET on Friday, following UNC's loss to
Weber State, "everyone was a loser." Wall Street Sports Inc.
Dir of Marketing Michael Sweeney: "It's unbelievable. I
really thought with this many people someone would get
through the weekend" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 3/13).
