With the college basketball season starting, ESPN Front Row examined the ratings for its men’s game telecasts in the 56 metered markets from the 2002-03 season through 2011-12.
And the winner? Louisville.
From ESPN:
Highlights:
One leads the way: Louisville was the top market every year, averaging a 4.1 rating or higher the past five seasons, including a 5.3 in 2009-10.
Six in Second:Six of the 56 markets have finished a season in the second highest-rated spot:
Greensboro is the only market to make multiple second place appearances: 2011, 2008, 2006, 2005, and 2002-03.
The additional five markets: Columbus (2010-11), Kansas City (2009-10), Indianapolis (2007-08), Raleigh-Durham (2004-05) and Cincinnati (2003-04).
Here are the top markets for 2011-12:
| Top 25 Markets for 2011-12 |
| No. 1 Louisville: 4.5 rating |
| No. 2 Greensboro: 3.5 rating |
| No. 3 Kansas City: 2.8 rating |
| No. 4 Columbus: 2.7 rating |
| Raleigh-Durham 2.7 rating |
| No. 6 Charlotte: 2.3 rating |
| No. 7 Cincinnati: 2.1 rating |
| No. 8 Dayton: 2.0 rating |
| No. 9 Indianapolis: 1.8 rating |
| Knoxville: 1.8 rating |
| No. 11 Memphis: 1.6 rating |
| Nashville: 1.6 rating |
| No. 13 Greenville: 1.5 rating |
| No. 14 Cleveland: 1.4 rating |
| Birmingham: 1.4 rating |
| Las Vegas: 1.4 rating |
| No. 17 Norfolk: 1.2 rating |
| Hartford: 1.2 rating |
| St. Louis: 1.2 rating |
| No. 20 Fort Myers: 1.1 rating |
| Atlanta: 1.1 rating |
| Richmond: 1.1 rating |
| No. 23 Pittsburgh: 1.0 rating |
| Detroit: 1.0 rating |
| Oklahoma City: 1.0 rating |
| Jacksonville: 1.0 rating |
| Tulsa: 1.0 rating |