Overview of College Basketball Viewership
As of January 18, 2026, Nielsen has published data highlighting the most popular men’s and women’s college basketball programs based on television viewership. Dominating the rankings are teams from the Big Ten and SEC, reflecting their strong presence and competitive programs. Notably, the Big Ten clocked in four teams on both the men’s and women’s lists, while the SEC marked its influence with three men’s teams and two from the women’s side.
Additionally, other conferences made their mark: the ACC was represented with two men’s teams, and the Big 12 featured two women’s programs in the top rankings.
In an interesting note, no school appeared in both the men’s and women’s lists, ensuring a diverse representation of programs. The compiled data stem from a variety of networks, including ESPN, Fox, NBC, and the Warner Bros. network family.
Most-Watched Programs for the 2025-26 Season
Men’s College Basketball Top 10
- Michigan State (Big Ten)
- Duke (ACC)
- Arkansas (SEC)
- North Carolina (ACC)
- Kentucky (SEC)
- Kansas (Big 12)
- UCLA (Big Ten)
- Indiana (Big Ten)
- Tennessee (SEC)
- Wisconsin (Big Ten)
Women’s College Basketball Top 10
- Iowa State (Big 12)
- Iowa (Big Ten)
- USC (Big Ten)
- Notre Dame (ACC)
- Oklahoma State (Big 12)
- Maryland (Big Ten)
- Michigan (Big Ten)
- Texas (SEC)
- South Carolina (SEC)
- Baylor (Big 12)
Conclusion
The complete rankings illustrate the fierce competition and popularity that characterizes college basketball, where fan engagement continues to grow prominently across various conferences. This analysis was initially shared by USA TODAY, offering a snapshot of the college basketball landscape as the season unfolds.
