CBS's coverage of the third round of the NCAA men's
basketball tournament last night received a 7.1/12 overnight
Nielsen rating for Game 1 and a 6.9/13 for Game 2 (CBS).
Reviews continue for CBS's coverage of the NCAA men's
basketball tournament. In Miami, Barry Jackson writes that
CBS "needs to do a better job updating second-half scores of
close games that we do not see live." Jackson also
criticizes CBS for "using its first postgame show eight days
ago to carry an interview of Craig Kilborn that was not
remotely amusing" (MIAMI HERALD, 3/19). In Milwaukee, Bob
Wolfley writes "there's enough to gladden" and "enough to
madden" about CBS's coverage. He adds that CBS should
scroll scores "at least every half-hour" and "keep Craig
Kilborn out of any more" tournament coverage, as the network
wants him "to be funny and he's not." But Wolfley calls CBS
rookie analyst James Worthy "solid," and notes Bill Raferty
"sees as much of a basketball game as Billy Packer," but
"does not have the annoying tendency Packer has to be a
basketball preacher" (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 3/19).
HE LIKES HIS...DIRECTV: NEWSDAY's Steve Zipay writes
that "the best bargain" during the NCAA tournament has been
DirecTV's March Madness package, and the deal with the NCAA
"should be renewed." The package has allowed subscribers to
watch "Cinderellas" such as Gonzaga, while CBS has chosen to
"stick with bigger-name schools" (NEWSDAY, 3/19).
NUMBERS NOT THRILLING IN CANADA: In Toronto, William
Houston reports that CTV SportsNet's ratings for its
broadcast of the NCAA tournament "have not been good," as
Thursday night's viewers peaked at 45,000, while Friday's
audience peaked at 38,000 (Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 3/19).
