BTN Communications, March 8, 2022
The 2021-22 Big Ten women's basketball season on the Big Ten Network was the most-watched ever, with +41% growth from the previous mark set in the 2019-20 season, four of the top five games in network history and the most watched Big Ten women's basketball tournament in network history.
The 2022 Big Ten Women's Basketball Tournament Presented by TIAA delivered BTN's two highest-rated games ever, with Thursday's quarterfinal between Michigan and Nebraska earning 238,000 viewers in a record-breaking performance, only to be surpassed the following night by Iowa and Nebraska's semifinal game with 286,000 viewers. In total, the 2022 Big Ten Women's Basketball Tournament Presented by TIAA averaged 120,000 viewers per game, an increase of +76% from the previous record set in 2017.
Throughout the entire season, Big Ten women's basketball on the network averaged 70,000 viewers, up +41% from 2019-20.
In January, Iowa vs. Ohio State set a record as the most-watched regular season women's basketball game in network history with 164,000 viewers. That was one of three regular season games this season to break into BTN's top 5, along with Indiana vs. Iowa on Feb. 21 (138,000) and Iowa vs. Michigan on Feb. 6 (130,000).
Best Overall Women's Basketball Games (includes postseason) On The Big Ten Network
| Rank | Date | Game | Viewers |
| 1 | 3/5/22 | BTT SEMI: IOWA/NEBRASKA | 286,000 |
| 2 | 3/4/22 | BTT QUARTER:MICHIGAN/NEBRASKA | 238,000 |
| 3 | 03/04/17 | BTT SEMI: MARYLAND / MICHIGAN ST | 199,000 |
| 4 | 3/5/22 | BTT SEMI: OHIO STATE/INDIANA | 188,000 |
| 5 | 01/31/22 | OHIO STATE / IOWA | 164,000 |
Best Regular Season Women's Basketball Games On The Big Ten Network
| Rank | Date | Game | Viewers |
| 1 | 01/31/22 | OHIO STATE / IOWA | 164,000 |
| 2 | 12/21/16 | UCONN / NEBRASKA | 141,000 |
| 3 | 02/21/22 | INDIANA / IOWA | 138,000 |
| 4 | 02/06/22 | IOWA / MICHIGAN | 130,000 |
| 5 | 03/01/20 | IOWA / RUTGERS | 127,000 |
Big Ten basketball coverage continues this week, with the first 10 games of the 2022 Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament presented by TIAA airing on the Big Ten Network and FOX Sports app.
*All audience data according to Nielsen Media Research
