TV Ratings: Men's Final Four Were Weekend Winners

The men's Final Four on Saturday, April 5, 2025, featured two closely contested games that drew significant television audiences, marking the highest viewership for the national semifinals in eight years.

 According to fast national ratings from Nielsen, the two games averaged approximately 15.3 million viewers on CBS, a 19% increase from the 12.8 million viewers the previous year on TBS, TNT, and TruTV, and a 24% jump from CBS's last Final Four broadcast in 2023. This figure represents the best performance since 2017, though it’s worth noting that Nielsen’s methodology did not account for out-of-home viewing until 2020, which may slightly skew historical comparisons.

The first game saw Florida edge out Auburn 79-73, attracting 14.6 million viewers, a notable rise from the 11.4 million in the same early window a year prior. The second game, highlighted by Houston’s dramatic comeback to defeat Duke, averaged 16 million viewers, making it the most-watched game of the 2025 tournament to date and surpassing every game from the 2024 bracket. Final numbers, expected to adjust slightly upward, were set to be released on Tuesday.

The Houston-Duke matchup, in particular, capitalized on Houston’s home-state advantage and standout performances, while Florida-Auburn showcased defensive intensity and late-game tension. 

According to The Hollyrood Reporter, this marked only the second time in NCAA history that all top seeds reached the Final Four, a factor likely boosting viewer interest. The broadcast’s success underscores the appeal of high-stakes, well-matched contests, even as the broader media landscape continues to evolve.