CBSSports.com, in partnership with CBS Sports, CBS College Sports Network and the NCAA released final traffic figures for the NCAA March Madness on Demand video player in 2009. In total, there were 7.52 million unique visitors to the NCAA March Madness on Demand video player, a 58% increase over 2008 figures. Additionally, there were 8.6 million total hours of video and audio consumed, a 75% increase over 2008 figures.
The success of NCAA March Madness on Demand builds on the growth of the broadcast of the tournament on the CBS Television Network. CBS Sports' coverage of the entire 2009 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship was up +5% in the metered markets from 2008.
Final 2009 NCAA March Madness on Demand traffic figures
- 7.52 million unique visitors to the NCAA March Madness on Demand video player (2008 figure was 4.76 million -- 58% growth)
- 8.6 million total hours of live streaming video and audio consumed -- (2008 figure was 4.92 million -- 75% growth)
- 515 thousand total hours of video and audio were consumed during the semifinal and championship games of the 2009 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship, a 51% increase over 2008 figures.
- 2.77 million clicks of the "Boss Button" (2008 figure was 2.5 million for entire tournament)
CBS Interactive, a top 10 Internet Property worldwide, tapped into the power of its network to help drive awareness and excitement for this year's tournament both from a content integration and promotional perspective. In addition, a comprehensive promotional campaign was developed to drive record level attendance for March Madness on Demand, including a unique All Access program that ran across CBS interactive properties.
This year's marketing program extended across CBS platforms. Promotions on CBS Television, Radio stations, Outernet and affiliates as well as the CBS Audience Network helped fuel awareness of NCAA March Madness on Demand on air and online. From promotions during The Early Show, 60 Minutes, CSI: Miami to a CBS Outdoor billboard in Times Square, the strength of CBS across all forms of media to reach consumers clearly played a pivotal role in the growth of NCAA March Madness on Demand.