https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/I'd/43525435/cfp-title-game-most-watched-season-viewership-down

Most watched game of this season, but 12% less viewership than last seasons championship game.  I guess a lot of people, like me, skipped it because they can't stand either team.

But to be transparent, I didn't watch last year either.

1 hour ago, Tranquility Base said:

https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/I'd/43525435/cfp-title-game-most-watched-season-viewership-down

Most watched game of this season, but 12% less viewership than last seasons championship game.  I guess a lot of people, like me, skipped it because they can't stand either team.

But to be transparent, I didn't watch last year either.

That’s pretty low when you consider these are two of the most poplar teams in the sport. 

There didn’t seem to be a lot of energy behind the championship game. A lot was going on Monday, plus, extending it out to January 20th is too much. This thing needs to wrap up before the NFL playoffs start, not two weeks after it begins. The NFL steals a lot of sports’ oxygen.

27 minutes ago, bugatti said:

That’s pretty low when you consider these are two of the most poplar teams in the sport. 

There didn’t seem to be a lot of energy behind the championship game. A lot was going on Monday, plus, extending it out to January 20th is too much. This thing needs to wrap up before the NFL playoffs start, not two weeks after it begins. The NFL steals a lot of sports’ oxygen.

It was long and the first round games weren't overly competitive or entertaining.  They probably only needed an 8 team playoff.  No byes and just seed them based on whatever the criteria.  Do that and do away with the Cash Grab Conference championship games and you've lopped to weeks out and don't fatigue your audience.

8 hours ago, Tranquility Base said:

It was long and the first round games weren't overly competitive or entertaining.  They probably only needed an 8 team playoff.  No byes and just seed them based on whatever the criteria.  Do that and do away with the Cash Grab Conference championship games and you've lopped to weeks out and don't fatigue your audience.

A. I’m on the fence re. the cash grab conference championships. I like to see a conference champ determined with the pageantry that goes along with it, but the titleholder can certainly be accomplished via the regular season with tiebreakers if necessary.   The CC title games are getting less and less relevant for sure, and the argument can be made that they’re often detrimental. And sooner or later we’re gonna have two mega-NIL conferences and the also-rans. 
 

2. As far as poor viewership for the NC game, another factor may have been two midwest teams playing.  
 

D.  Agree wholeheartedly on the date.  Maybe make it the final New Year’s weekend game. 

On 1/22/2025 at 8:27 PM, Tranquility Base said:

https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/I'd/43525435/cfp-title-game-most-watched-season-viewership-down

Most watched game of this season, but 12% less viewership than last seasons championship game.  I guess a lot of people, like me, skipped it because they can't stand either team.

But to be transparent, I didn't watch last year either.

1. I think most thought the game was a foregone conclusion. 

2. As mentioned earlier the two teams are both from the same Midwestern footprint. 

3. There was no over arching storyline to draw in casual viewers.

4. Outside of their own fanbases, most other fans can't stand either team.

5. ESPN didn't do itself any favors, they spent very little time building the game up in the week prior to the finals. I guess there wasn't enough controversy around the game for their talking head shows to yell about.

6. Since the Alabama/Georgia OT game, the average spread in the finals has been nearly 25 points. Even though this game ended closer, these haven't been great games the last several years.

I can't buy the "Midwest teams" argument. Notre Dame is as national and polarizing a brand as you will find, and Ohio State's alumni base nationwide is massive—and they're their own national brand.

The biggest story going into the final weekend and on Monday was NFL divisional-round football. It always will be. Recapping Bills/Ravens is abundantly more interesting to the masses than Notre Dame/OSU. Hell, you can argue college football overperformed given the circumstances, coupled with other things going on.

Of course, they will not pivot with this strategy. Next year is again slated to compete against the back side of divisional round action and if history is of any indication, they will continue to extend this out. Maybe they can go up against the Super Bowl one of these days!

 

I don't agree with this but it is interesting.

Starting time on a work night/ School night keeps many away.

14 hours ago, newarkcatholicfan said:

Starting time on a work night/ School night keeps many away.

It's always on Monday night. The other years games were just more interesting or desirable. 

11 minutes ago, Jumper_Dad said:

It's always on Monday night. The other years games were just more interesting or desirable. 

I agree here. A lot of people make a big dealof the Monday night thing, but traditionally it is a high cable watch night. You typically want to avoid Fridays and Saturdays.

Again, don't compete with the NFL, which is effectively what they were doing. Wrap this thing up going into Wildcard weekend.

Chip Kelly headed to the Raiders to be their OC.

46 minutes ago, Jumper_Dad said:

Chip Kelly headed to the Raiders to be their OC.

LOL. Dare we say he's got more payroll to play with, but less talent now.