US cable-television broadcaster Turner Broadcasting System and the CBS Sports website have generated approximately $60 million (€45.1 million) in advertising sales for digital viewing of National Collegiate Athletic Association tournament games so far this year, according to Ad Age magazine.
Advertising sales for web streaming of the Men’s Division I Basketball Championship “March Madness” tournament have grown rapidly over the last three years to the point where they now nearly double the $32 million of ads sold for the 2009 event. The $60 million does not include revenues generated by the one-time fee of $3.99 the companies this year introduced for the online March Madness Live service.
The 2012 March Madness tournament began on March 13 and concludes today, April 2.