Women’s NCAA Championship Game Poised for Primetime Glory: why the 3 PM Tip-Off Needs to Go
The NCAA women’s basketball championship game has seen explosive growth in viewership, but its current 3 p.m. ET start time is leaving audience attention on the table. A move to primetime could unlock even greater potential for the sport.
record-Breaking Viewership Signals Untapped Potential
Recent championship games have shattered viewership records,highlighting the burgeoning popularity of women’s college basketball:
- 2022: South Carolina vs. UConn drew 4.85 million viewers, peaking at 5.91 million – the moast in nearly two decades.
- 2023: LSU vs. Iowa more than doubled the previous year, averaging 9.9 million viewers on ABC.
- 2024: south Carolina vs. iowa captivated 18.9 million viewers on ABC, peaking at 24.1 million, making it the most-watched basketball game since 2019 (college or professional, men’s or women’s).
These figures strongly suggest that a primetime slot could significantly boost viewership even further.
ESPN’s Investment and the $920 Million NCAA Deal
ESPN has steadily increased its commitment to women’s basketball, offering more high-profile regular-season games and enhanced studio coverage. In 2021,ESPN began airing all 63 NCAA tournament games nationally,with the semifinals on Big ESPN and the championship game on ABC.
ESPN’s eight-year, $920 million media rights agreement with the NCAA ensures the title game will air on ABC through 2032.This deal presents a key opportunity to maximize viewership by strategically placing the game in primetime.
Primetime Placement: A Win-Win for women’s Basketball and Disney
Shifting the championship game to primetime would benefit both women’s basketball and The Walt Disney Co. By exposing the sport to a larger audience, Disney would be solidifying its investment in a growing property with long-term potential.
Despite other programs airing on ABC, women’s basketball shown in primetime, would likely see higher ratings than those programs. This scheduling change could lead to greater advertising revenue, increased visibility for the sport, and overall growth for women’s basketball.
Advocating for change: ESPN and NCAA Must Lead the Way
Starting next year, the NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship game deserves to be showcased in primetime. ESPN executives and NCAA officials should actively advocate for this change, recognizing the immense potential for the sport to reach new heights.
Will Women’s NCAA Championship Game Move to Prime Time? disney’s Iger Could Hold the Key
The surging popularity of women’s college basketball has ignited discussions about moving the NCAA championship game to prime time. With viewership numbers reaching record highs, stakeholders are contemplating whether a prime-time slot would further amplify the sport’s exposure and growth.
The Case for Prime Time: Riding the Momentum
Last year’s national championship game on ABC drew record viewership, demonstrating the potential of increased exposure. Advocates argue that a prime-time broadcast on ABC, potentially on a Sunday or Tuesday, could attract an even larger audience than the current Sunday afternoon slot. The Elite Eight round averaged 2.9 million viewers, marking the second most-watched Elite Eight on record, a 34 percent increase from 2023.
Potential Roadblocks: Contractual Obligations and Revenue Considerations
Moving the game isn’t without its challenges. Existing contracts,such as those related to programming like “American Idol,” may present obstacles. Furthermore, a 30-second advertisement during “American Idol” generates significant revenue, and network executives would need to carefully consider the financial implications of preempting such programming.
Willow Bay, dean of the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, and her husband Bob Iger, CEO of the Walt Disney Company, owner of ESPN and ABC, recognize the expanding power of women’s sports, as demonstrated by their ownership stake in Angel City FC. Iger’s support could be pivotal in facilitating a move to prime time.
ESPN’s Viewpoint: A Balancing Act
ESPN,the primary broadcaster of the women’s tournament,is navigating the complexities of corporate partnerships while also aiming to maximize the sport’s reach. An ESPN executive noted last year that research suggested “there’s not much difference in terms of potential upside between that window and in a prime-time window.” However,meg Arnonwitz,an ESPN senior vice president of production,supports discussions on how to continue to enhance the sport’s exposure.
Expert Opinions: Trust in Leadership
Rebecca Lobo, lead analyst for the women’s tournament, acknowledged the “brilliant decision” to move the championship game to ABC in 2023. While curious about the potential impact of a prime-time move, she expressed confidence in ESPN’s leadership to determine the optimal timing.
The Future of Women’s College Basketball
The women’s college game has experienced considerable growth, fueled by prominent players and strategic broadcast decisions. While a prime-time final presents logistical and financial considerations,many believe it could represent the next step in further elevating the sport’s profile and solidifying its place in the national spotlight.
Who are the key decision-makers regarding a primetime slot, and what action can viewers take to support continued growth of the sport?
Women’s NCAA Championship Game: Primetime Q&A
Following the explosive growth in viewership for the Women’s NCAA Championship game, here’s a Q&A to address key questions and insights from the articles:
Why is a Primetime Slot Being Discussed?
The primary reason is the massive increase in viewership. Recent championship games have broken records, indicating that a primetime slot could attract an even larger audience, leading to greater exposure, advertising revenue, and overall growth for women’s basketball.
What Are the Potential Benefits of Primetime?
- Increased Viewership: Primetime slots generally draw larger audiences than afternoon broadcasts.
- Higher Revenue: more viewers translate to more advertising dollars.
- Greater Visibility: Primetime exposure elevates the sport’s profile.
- Solidifying Disney’s Investment: Disney, through ESPN and ABC, would be maximizing the potential of a growing property.
What Are the Main Challenges to Moving to Primetime?
The main challenge is navigating existing contractual obligations with programs already scheduled during primetime, such as “American Idol.” Network executives must weigh the financial implications of preempting established,revenue-generating shows.
Who Could Make the Decision to Move the Game?
ESPN executives and NCAA officials would need to collaborate. The support of Disney CEO Bob iger could be pivotal, given Disney’s ownership of ESPN and ABC and his recognition of the expanding power of women’s sports.
What Does ESPN Think About a Primetime Move?
ESPN is navigating the complexities of corporate partnerships while aiming to maximize the sport’s reach. An executive noted research suggesting there might not be a huge difference in viewership upside between the current time and primetime. However,ESPN’s Senior Vice President of production supports discussions to enhance the sport’s exposure.
What do Experts Think About the Primetime Decision?
Rebecca Lobo, a lead analyst for the women’s tournament, is confident in ESPN’s leadership to determine the optimal timing.
Did The Decision to Air the Game on ABC make a difference?
Yes! During the 2023 season, the decision was made to air the final women’s game on ABC. This decision led to a record-breaking viewership.
What’s Next for Women’s College Basketball?
The future looks bright! With continued strategic broadcast decisions and the rise of prominent players,women’s college basketball is poised for continued growth. The primetime discussion represents a potential next step in elevating the sport.
Actionable Advice: Stay tuned for news on potential scheduling changes, and continue supporting women’s college basketball by watching games and following your favorite teams and players. This sport is on the move!
