ESPN recognizes the importance of engaging casual viewers during the women's Final Four, as many may only watch occasionally. Senior VP Meg Aronowitz emphasizes the need to familiarize audiences with star players. Viewership data shows the challenges posed by Caitlin Clark’s absence from this year's tournament, reflecting on the previous record-breaking Final Four. Despite this, the growth in women's basketball continues, with this year's Elite Eight drawing significant viewership, indicating a positive trend in audience interest.
When we have to absolutely remind ourselves that this is an entirely new audience joining us, we have to teach them who these stars are.
ESPN executives know that it will be impossible to duplicate the Final Four viewership numbers from a year ago and that is a direct result of Caitlin Clark not being in this tournament.
The Elite Eight games averaged 2.9 million viewers, the second most-watched Elite Eight round on record, only behind the Clark-infused 6.2 million viewers.
We've got to make sure that we are giving people a reason to come back on Sunday for the title game.
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