The University of Connecticut (UConn) made history on April 5, 2021 when they won the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship against San Diego State. However, the game was watched by a record-low viewership.
UConn’s victory marked the program’s fifth championship win in the past 15 years. The game was a thrilling one, with UConn coming back from a double-digit deficit to win the game. Despite the exciting finish, the game only had an average of 7.7 million viewers. This is a record low for the NCAA Championship game, which usually averages around 18 million viewers.
The low viewership can be attributed to a number of factors. First, the game was played on a Monday night, which is not an ideal time for most people to watch a basketball game. Additionally, the game was broadcast on cable, which has fewer viewers than broadcast networks. Finally, the matchup between UConn and San Diego State was not seen as a particularly exciting one, as both teams were not considered to be traditional powerhouses.
Despite the record-low viewership, UConn’s victory was still celebrated by many fans. The team’s players and coaches were ecstatic after the win, and the school’s student body was thrilled to see their team take home the championship. UConn’s win also marked the first time a team from outside of the Power Five conferences had won the championship since 2011.
UConn’s record-low viewership for the NCAA Championship game is a testament to the changing landscape of college basketball. With more teams from outside of the Power Five conferences making deep tournament runs, it is becoming increasingly difficult for viewers to pick a favorite team. This has resulted in lower ratings for championship games, as viewers are less likely to tune in if they don’t have a rooting interest in either team.
Despite the low viewership, UConn’s victory over San Diego State was still an historic one. The team’s fifth championship win in 15 years is a testament to their program’s success, and their win will be remembered for years to come.
