Women’s basketball viewership soars despite Caitlin Clark's absence
- This season, women's college basketball has seen a 120% increase in viewership on ABC compared to the previous year.
- Major networks have intensified their broadcasting efforts following the successful viewership of last year's tournament.
- The strong talent pool in women's college basketball shows that the sport can thrive independently of singular star players.
In recent months, women's college basketball has seen an impressive increase in viewership, with ratings proving critics wrong about its market appeal. This season, televised games on ABC during women's college basketball garnered a 120% year-over-year increase in viewership. Traditionally, concerns have been raised by major networks like Fox and CBS regarding the lack of a sufficient fan base for women's sports. However, events during the past year, particularly the success of the women's NCAA tournament, which outshone the men's championship in viewership for the first time, have led to more women's games being broadcasted. Caitlin Clark, a standout player from Iowa, has left a notable gap in this year's tournament, leaving fans wondering if women's basketball could maintain its momentum without her. While last year's championship matchup attracted over 19 million viewers, this year’s championship game faces skepticism about whether it will draw in similar figures. Nevertheless, it appears that the women's basketball landscape is still buoyed by a strong collective of talent, with new stars emerging to fill the void left by Clark and others. JuJu Watkins, a sophomore forward from UCLA, has drawn attention as one of the next breakout stars, ranking second nationally in scoring this season. Simultaneously, teams like UConn, featuring former National Player of the Year Paige Bueckers, continue to showcase significant talent depth, captivating audiences. Other players, including Azzi Fudd and Sarah Strong of UConn, are also central to their team's success, showing that interest in women's basketball is not solely dependent on one player. Organizations like OutKick, which previously highlighted women’s sports extensively, are adjusting their focus this year. Coverage appears less prominent, yet the fundamentals supporting the women’s game remain strong. Viewership numbers across multiple networks, often averaging around 1 million viewers per game, provide evidence that women's college basketball can thrive beyond the influence of one star athlete.