The NCAA women’s championship game between South Carolina and Iowa on April 8, 2024, becomes the most-watched women’s basketball game in five years, signaling a significant shift in interest towards women’s sports.
On April 8, 2024, the NCAA women’s championship game between South Carolina and Iowa drew an unprecedented audience, making it the most-watched women’s basketball game in the past five years. The match, televised on ABC and ESPN, captured the attention of 18.7 million viewers, with expectations of this number increasing as Nielsen finalizes its ratings. At its peak, the broadcast attracted a staggering 24 million viewers.
This significant viewership represents an 89% increase from the previous year, indicating a growing interest in women’s basketball. The finale even surpassed previous viewership records for a women’s game, which were notably high at 14.2 million and 12.3 million for earlier contests involving Clark and Iowa.
Remarkably, the game’s popularity extended beyond women’s sports, competing closely with the viewership typically associated with the NBA Finals. This achievement highlights the growing appeal of women’s sports and its success in drawing significant numbers of viewers. As the sports community awaits the final viewership numbers, the NCAA women’s championship game stands as a powerful indication of the widespread interest in women’s basketball.
