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2011 NCAA® Men’s Final Four® Viewed By Millions Around The World

For Immediate Release

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Contact(s)

Erik Christianson
Director for Public and Media Relations
317/917-6117


 


HOUSTON--- As the NCAA Men’s Final Four draws to a close with Monday’s championship game, the tournament has reached new heights in its global reach.

For the first time in tournament history, all 67 games were broadcast nationally through the NCAA’s new agreement with Turner Sports and CBS.  Beyond the national reach, games have been broadcast internationally to 185 countries across the globe. These include Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea and Spain.  

In addition to its national and global telecast and online availability via March Madness on Demand, the 2011 NCAA Men’s Final Four has the potential to be viewed by approximately one million U.S. Armed Forces, Department of Defense civilian employees and their families stationed overseas and aboard 140 US Navy ships at sea via the American Armed Forces Radio Network.

The event’s reach also is magnified by the presence of 1,387 credentialed media members covering the championship in Houston.

“The Final Four continues to show an increase in popularity around the world, as evidenced by the growing number of countries carrying the broadcast,” said Greg Shaheen, NCAA interim executive vice president of championships and alliances. “We couldn’t be more pleased that college basketball fans in countries throughout Europe, Africa, Central and South America and the Caribbean, and we are especially thrilled that the games will be broadcast to the men and women serving our country abroad via the American Armed Forces Network.”

The national championship game will feature Butler University against the University of Connecticut on Monday, April 4. Tip-off is at 9:23 p.m. Eastern on CBS, while an HD international world feed is being distributed by the NCAA for international broadcasters