Both the Round of 64 and Round of 32 averaged 9.4 million viewers per game, according to Nielsen.
This average for the first week of action is the highest since 1993 and a four percent increase from last year.
While all of the second-round games averaged 10.2 million viewers, the matchups on Sunday alone averaged just over 10 million viewers themselves.
Kentucky's game against Illinois drew a high of 15.3 million viewers.
However, this uptick could come from Nielsen beginning to count viewership in bars and restaurants just five years ago.
That being said, many factors have drawn fans into watching this year's tournament outside of fans praying for their perfect bracket to be maintained (spoiler alert - none remain).
John Calipari's Arkansas Razorbacks upset Rick Patino's second-seeded St. John's in a thrilling clash of legendary coaches.
Meanwhile, all of the number one seeds in Duke, Houston, Florida, and Auburn advanced to the Sweet 16.
The lack of upsets is of no concern to viewership. While many love seeing an underdog story, they seem to love it just as much when the best teams in the bracket come together for a clash of intense matchups - which we saw throughout the Round of 32.