CBS SPORTS' RATINGS RISE FOR COVERAGE OF FIRST THREE DAYS OF 2009 NCAA MEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

CBS Sports' exclusive coverage of the first three days of the 2009 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship has earned an average overnight household rating/share of 5.1/11, up +4% from a 4.9/11 in 2008 in the metered markets.

On Saturday, March 21 the overall average metered market rating/share was a 6.3/14, up +5% from a 6.0/13 last year.

The final broadcast window of the day which saw Duke and Gonzaga advance in close games (8:15-10:45 PM, ET), earned a 7.2/13, up +20% from a 6.0/11 in 2008. The 7.2/13 was the best rating in the broadcast window since a 7.8/13 in 2005.

The third broadcast window of the day, (5:45-8:15 PM, ET) featuring wins by North Carolina, Oklahoma and Purdue delivered a 7.5/16, up +17% from a 6.4/12 last year.

The network's coverage of the first-round on Thursday, March 19 (12:15-5:15 PM, ET, and 7:00 PM-12:15 AM, ET) earned an average overnight household rating/share of 4.7/10. The 4.7/10 was up +9% from a 4.3/10 for the first day last year. The ratings/share for the first-round on Friday, March 20 was a 4.6/11, even with last year.