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Caitlin Clark and Iowa Hawkeyes’ Record-Breaking Performance
Caitlin Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes recently made history by setting a new record for the most-viewed first-round game in women’s NCAA Tournament history. Their impressive 91-65 victory over Holy Cross captured the attention of viewers across the nation, with an average of 3.23 million tuning in to watch the game on ABC, according to Nielsen.
This milestone surpassed the previous record set during last year’s Elite Eight game between Iowa and Louisville, which attracted 2.50 million viewers. Notably, this achievement marks the most-viewed women’s tournament game ever, excluding Final Four contests and title games.
Exceptional Viewer Engagement
This remarkable feat was not an isolated incident for the Hawkeyes, with three games this season already surpassing an average of 3 million viewers. Across seven games broadcast on major networks such as ABC, NBC, CBS, and Fox, Iowa has maintained an impressive average viewership of 2.27 million.
Looking ahead, Iowa’s regional semifinal game against Colorado is scheduled to air on ABC, further solidifying their position as a top draw for basketball fans.
Record-Breaking Tournament Totals
As reported by ESPN, the first round of the tournament generated significant viewer interest, with a total of 1.5 billion minutes viewed on both television and streaming platforms. This represents a historic high in women’s tournament history, marking a remarkable 70% increase from the previous year.
Notably, Connecticut’s matchup against Jackson State preceding the Iowa game also saw substantial viewership, with an average of 1.1 million viewers on ABC, ranking as the third-most viewed first-round game on record.
Furthermore, defending champion LSU’s victory over Rice garnered significant attention, averaging 762,400 viewers on ESPN. This made it the most-watched weekday first-round game in tournament history, underscoring the enduring appeal and growing popularity of women’s college basketball.
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