ESPN networks averaged 352,000 viewers per game window through the first two rounds of the NCAA Women's Tournament, up from last year and the most-watched first/second round since '14. The most-viewed game window of the tourney so far was Monday at 6:30pm ET, with an average of 557,000 viewers. This window featured regional coverage of Quinnipiac-UConn, Duke-Georgia, Buffalo-FSU and Central Michigan-Ohio State (ESPN).
BY THE NUMBERS: In Spokane, Vince Grippi writes TBS production crew is "as good as anyone when it comes to replays," regardless of whether concerns injuries or clock issues. However, other aspects of Thursday's Florida State-Gonzaga broadcast "were less instructive." The "most egregious" issue was a graphic that "kept popping up about the bench scoring." At one point it was "23-1 in favor of Florida State, which was true -- as far as it went." However, the net did not mention Rui Hachimura, Gonzaga’s "usual sixth man" forced into the starting lineup due to an injury to Killian Tillie, had 14 points "at the time" (Spokane SPOKESMAN-REVIEW, 3/23).
PERSONAL FOUL: In N.Y., Phil Mushnick notes free throws have been "eliminated from CBS/Turner's in-game stat summaries." Points off turnovers, which is "often irrelevant or misleading, make the cut, but not foul shots." Meanwhile, CBS broadcaster Spero Dedes "received a copy of the plan: How to succeed as a modern TV play-by-play man." He "hollered at anything and everything throughout" the Michigan-Houston second-round game (N.Y. POST, 3/23).
