• Loading stock data...
Saturday, February 21, 2026

Colorado Spurs Fox Big Noon Saturday Week 1 Viewership Record

  • Deion Sanders’ coaching debut vs. TCU drew 7.62 million viewers as Fox’s most-watched Week 1 Big Noon Saturday game ever.
  • Coach Prime and the Buffaloes will again draw Fox’s noon broadcast slot for Saturday’s home-opener against Nebraska.
Deion Sanders’ Colorado debut vs. TCU drew 7.62 million viewers as Fox’s most-watched Week 1 Big Noon Saturday game ever.
Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Deion Sanders’ Colorado coaching debut was Fox’s most-watched Big Noon Saturday Week 1 game since the show premiered in 2019.

The Buffs’ 45-42 road upset over then-No. 17 TCU drew 7.26 million viewers, making it the most-watched game of the day on any network. 

Saturday marked a 17% increase over the 2022 Big Noon Saturday average of 6.23 million and was the fourth-most-streamed college football game in Fox Sports history and the third-most-watched Big 12 regular-season game ever on Fox.

Fox, which makes up half of college football’s duopoly with ESPN, is betting big on Sanders, again putting Colorado in its Saturday noon slot for the upcoming home-opener against Nebraska.

Colorado is in its last Pac-12 season before it moves to the Big 12, which has a $2.28 billion media rights package with Fox and ESPN that will start in 2025.

Coach Prime’s arrival in Boulder alongside his son, quarterback Shedeur Sanders, and other star recruits such as two-way Heisman hopeful Travis Hunter, have Colorado ranked No. 22 after an abysmal 1-11 season. 

Colorado has become college football’s hottest ticket, selling more than $430,000 in single-game tickets since Saturday’s upset. According to TickPick, the $417 average purchase price for Colorado-Nebraska ranks as the 12th-most-expensive college football regular-season game of all time.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar (6) pulls back for the throw during the Music City Bowl NCAA college football game against Illinois on Dec. 30, 2025, in Nashville, Tennessee.

Judge Denies Tennessee QB Joey Aguilar Another Year of NCAA Eligibility

The ruling has implications for the NCAA’s overall eligibility fight.

Epstein Files Fallout Spreads to College Sports Buildings

Football facilities at UCLA and Ohio State are named for Epstein-tied donors.
Indiana Head Coach Curt Cignetti watches during the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.

Curt Cignetti’s New Indiana Deal Is Richest in College Football

The new contract will pay him $13.2 million annually.

What Happened to the Group That Promised Sac State $50M in NIL?

The “Sac-12” group says it’s still committed to financially supporting the Hornets.

Featured Today

[Subscription Customers Only] Jul 13, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Chelsea FC midfielder Cole Palmer (10) celebrates winning the final of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at MetLife Stadium

Soccer’s ‘Crown Jewels’ Are Devouring Smaller Clubs

Mega conglomerates are feeding a big business machine. Fans are furious.
Feb 10, 2026; Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy; Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropkin of the United States during the curling mixed doubles gold medal game during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium
February 20, 2026

Curling Clubs Are Swept Up in Olympics Fever. Can It Last?

Every four years, organizations field an influx of curling-curious patrons.
Max Valverde by Ron Winsett
February 17, 2026

How Ski Mountaineering’s Hype Man Went From TikTok to NBC

Max Valverde’s gushing over the niche sport vaulted him to Olympic broadcaster.
Feb 11, 2026; Livigno, Italy; Jaelin Kauf of the United States during freestyle skiing women's moguls final during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Livigno Aerials & Moguls Park
February 13, 2026

The Surprise Hit of the Winter Olympics: First-Person Drone Views

Tiny drone cameras have reshaped the Olympics viewing experience.
Feb 16, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge (99) watches batting practice during spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images

Gotham Sports Rolls Out Price Reductions to Streaming Packages

The YES Network-MSG Networks joint venture retools its pricing.
February 19, 2026

Super Bowl LX Viewership Revised, Still Falls Short of Record

The updated figure still trails the viewership for last year’s Super Bowl.
Founder and CEO of TMRW/Sports, Mike McCarley left, and LPGA Commissioner Craig Kessler answer questions after announcing the WTGL golf league at SoFi Center on January 6, 2026, in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
February 19, 2026

Media Rights Negotiations Ramping Up For WTGL

The league is planning to launch in November or December.
Sponsored

From MLS to AUSL: Jon Patricof on Building Sports Leagues

Jon Patricof on athlete equity, fan-first strategy, and how women’s sports can reshape the future of league building.
Jan 29, 2022; St. Louis, MO, USA; Ronda Rousey celebrates after winning the women’s Royal Rumble match during the Royal Rumble at The Dome at America's Center.
February 19, 2026

Ronda Rousey Says UFC Was Not Interested in Fight With Gina Carano

Both fighters will undergo more medical testing than what’s required.
Jul 15, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) drives the ball against Connecticut Sun guard Leila Lacan (47) in the second quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit:
February 19, 2026

ESPN to Fill ‘Sunday Night Baseball’ Void With ‘Women’s Sports Sundays’

The franchise will feature 12 games over a nine-week span.
Feb 17, 2026; Milan, Italy; Snoop Dogg looks on in the womens figure skating short program during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Ice Skating Arena.
February 18, 2026

Snoop Dogg Will Lead Olympic Hockey Alt-Cast During Men’s Quarterfinal

Team USA plays Sweden in the quarterfinals on Wednesday.
John Fanta is set to make his NBA play-by-play debut for NBC.
exclusive
February 18, 2026

John Fanta to Make ‘NBA on NBC Sports’ Play-by-Play Debut

Fanta will be on the call for Wolves-Blazers on Tuesday.