Columbus Ranks 4th Among Top College Basketball TV Markets

Ohio cities dominate the top 10 list, reflecting the state's passion for hoops.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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According to Nielsen data, Columbus, Ohio ranks 4th nationally in college basketball television viewership for the 2025-26 season. Two other Ohio cities, Dayton and Cincinnati, also cracked the top 10 list. The rankings highlight the state's strong interest in men's and women's college basketball, with both Ohio State and Miami University teams expected to make the NCAA tournament.

Why it matters

The high rankings for Ohio cities demonstrate the state's fervent support for college basketball, which has become a point of pride and community engagement. As the sport's popularity continues to grow nationally, these TV market rankings could impact media rights deals, sponsorship opportunities, and the overall visibility of Ohio's top programs.

The details

Columbus ranked 4th nationally, behind only Louisville, Indianapolis, and Hartford/New Haven. Dayton came in 7th, while Cincinnati was 8th. The rankings are based on household ratings for both men's and women's college basketball games. Ohio State's men's and women's teams are both expected to make the NCAA tournament, with the women's team earning a No. 4 seed and hosting a regional. Meanwhile, Miami University's men's team wrapped up a perfect regular season with a win over Ohio University on March 7.

  • The 2025-26 college basketball season rankings were released on March 10, 2026.
  • Ohio State's men's team finished its regular season on March 7, 2026 with a win over Indiana.
  • Miami University's men's team completed its perfect regular season on March 7, 2026 with a victory over Ohio University.

The players

Bruce Thornton

Ohio State men's basketball guard who became the program's all-time leading scorer in the final regular-season game on March 7, 2026.

Ohio State Women's Basketball Team

The Ohio State women's basketball team is expected to be a No. 4 seed in the 2026 NCAA tournament and host a regional.

Miami University Men's Basketball Team

The Miami University men's basketball team wrapped up a perfect regular season with a win over Ohio University on March 7, 2026.

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What’s next

Both the Ohio State men's and women's basketball teams are expected to make the 2026 NCAA tournament, with the women's team hosting a regional as a No. 4 seed.

The takeaway

The strong college basketball TV viewership in Ohio, with three cities ranking in the top 10 nationally, underscores the state's deep passion for the sport. This could lead to increased media exposure, sponsorship opportunities, and community engagement for the top programs in the state.