OSU-Purdue game is BTN's highest-rated game ever

The Big Ten Men?s Basketball Tournament quarterfinal matchup between Ohio State and Purdue on Friday was the highest-rated basketball game in BTN history, according to Nielsen metered market data. The game earned a program average household rating of 3.11 across the network?s eight metered markets,* and was the top cable program in Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton and Indianapolis that day.

Additionally, the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinal featuring Michigan vs. Minnesota earned a 2.07 HH rating for BTN and was the top-rated cable program in Minneapolis.

The rating for Friday?s matchup was 40 percent higher than BTN?s previous record, the March 10, 2010, Michigan State vs. Minnesota men?s basketball tournament game, which earned a 2.2 HH rating.

?This is great news for us and, coming on the heels of last week?s ratings records for The Journey, gives us great momentum as we continue our basketball coverage with nightly shows during the NCAA Tournament,? said BTN President Mark Silverman.

BTN?s NCAA Tournament coverage continues with nightly episodes of BTN Basketball and Beyond: Tournament Edition, beginning at 8 pm ET tonight. On nights with tournament competition, the show will air immediately following the last game. Check local listings.

*Source: Nielsen Arianna Overnights (3/9/12). Metered Markets: Chicago, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Detroit, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, and Minneapolis