Here’s a snapshot of TV by the numbers for the week of Feb. 20-26, highlighting the most-watched shows and networks with data from Inscape, the currency-grade smart TV ACR data provider and data technology division of Vizio with insights from a panel of more than 20 million opted-in TVs. Data is linear, live TV only and includes all episode types (new and reruns). Rankings are by percent share duration (i.e., time spent watching).

As March Madness approaches, things are heating up for men’s college basketball: It took first place in the program ranking for the second week in a row, and actually increased its watch-time week-over-week, up to 2.37% from 1.86% previously. 

Some additional insights about the top programming on TV:

• NBA games also captured more minutes watched week-over-week, up to 1.38% from 0.81% previously. It moves into second place (up from No. 6 the week before). 

• Two shows in the Chicago franchise make notable jumps up the chart: Chicago Fire moves into ninth place from No. 9 previously with 0.63% of minutes watched, while Chicago P.D. jumps from No. 25 to No. 12 (0.57%).

• Homestead Rescue makes an appearance at No. 21, capturing 0.43% of all minutes watched thanks to two rerun marathons on Discovery Channel. The show, which hasn’t aired new episodes since 2021, has its season ten premiere on Feb. 28. 

• Additional week-over-week ranking newcomers include NASCAR Cup Series (0.43%), The Golden Girls (0.43%) and CNN Newsroom (0.41%). 

Thanks in part to NBA games, ABC scores first place in the network ranking with nearly 7% of minutes watched, up from No. 2 the previous week. CBS slips to second while NBC holds steady at No. 3. 

Additional insights around the most-watched networks from Feb. 20-26:

• HGTV jumps up the chart, landing at No. 8 with 2.01% of minutes watched, fueled partially by a Home Town marathon. 

• Although they maintain their ranking positions, these networks saw increases in minutes watched week-over-week: ESPN, ION, Hallmark Channel, Investigation Discovery, TV Land, History and Comedy Central. 

• There were two week-over-week ranking newcomers: Discovery Channel (No. 23 with 1.09% of watch-time) and FX (No. 25, 1.03%).