• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, October 7, 2025

CFP Semifinals TV Ratings Drop 17% in 12-Team Format’s First Year

The College Football Playoff saw its TV ratings drop in the semifinals compared to last year. But there’s an important distinction in the new 12-team format.

Ohio State quarterback Will Howard (18) yells instructions to his team during the College Football Playoff semifinal game against the Texas Longhorns in the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium on Friday, Jan. 10, 2024 in Arlington, Texas.
Austin American-Statesman

TV ratings for the College Football Playoff semifinals were down roughly 17% in the first year of the new 12-team format, as the final four played out later in January than is typically the case.

This year’s matchups drew an average of 19.2 million viewers across ESPN’s standard multiplatform “MegaCast” approach, which is down by four million from last year’s CFP semifinals that averaged 23.2 million. 

Ohio State’s 28–14 victory over Texas in the Cotton Bowl drew 20.6 million viewers Friday night, while Notre Dame’s 27–24 win over Penn State in the Orange Bowl had an audience of 17.8 million.

Rose-Colored Glasses

The important distinction is that last year’s semifinals played out on New Year’s Day, traditionally a huge TV day for college football. 

There was also the benefit of Michigan-Alabama playing out at the Rose Bowl, which usually draws a big rating no matter who is playing, and last year had 27.7 million people watch. That was a bigger audience than the Michigan-Washington national championship game drew (25 million). The other CFP semifinal a year ago, Washington-Texas in the Sugar Bowl, drew 18.7 million viewers.

Further showcasing the power of the Rose Bowl, this year’s game on Jan. 1, which saw Ohio State defeat Oregon in the quarterfinals, is the CFP’s most-watched game so far, with 21.1 million viewers. Ohio State led 34–0 in the second quarter.

Next year, the Fiesta and Peach bowls will host the CFP semifinals, also on the second Thursday and Friday of January, which should make for a clean comparison to this year’s game.

Trending Up

With the CFP down to its final matchup, here’s a look at round-by-round average viewership heading into the title game:

  • First round: 10.6 million
  • Quarterfinals: 16.9 million
  • Semifinals: 19.2 million

ESPN and TNT Sports platforms each had two first-round game broadcasts, while ESPN carried all four quarterfinals and both semifinals.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Dec 2, 2022; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Southern California Trojans former quarterbacks Mark Sanchez (left) and Matt Leinart watch from the sidelines during the Pac-12 Championship game against the Utah Utes at Allegiant Stadium.

Mark Sanchez, Fox Sports Sued Over Alley Fight That Turned Bloody

The high-profile incident took place Saturday night in Indianapolis.
Oct 4, 2025; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; TCU Horned Frogs head coach Sonny Dykes and Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders hug following a game at Amon G. Carter Stadium.

More Health Problems for Deion Sanders As Colorado Slides

Sanders indicated his blood clots have returned.

ESPN Ends Its Wild-Card Coverage With Historic TV Ratings

Wild-card viewership surges 64% to a record in the current format.

Featured Today

Paul Cartier

Sports Organists Are Still Thriving in the Era of Raucous Arena Music

“When they walk out and they see a real organ guy, it’s like, ‘Wow.’”
Sep 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Jackson Chourio (11) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field.
October 4, 2025

Milwaukee Moneyball: Brewers Are Beating MLB’s Deeper Pockets

Milwaukee is holding its own against big-budget competitors.
Kōloa Rum Company Rum Rusher
September 27, 2025

Panthers Bubbly, Jets Wine, Manning Whiskey: The Sports Booze Boom

A sommelier dives into the sports booze trend—and tries Jets wine.
Nov 17, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers fans wave Terrible Towels against the Baltimore Ravens during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium
September 26, 2025

Steelers’ Irish Roots Are Deeper Than NFL Dublin Game

The Steelers have history and the foundation for a future in Ireland.
Oct 4, 2025; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Nico Iamaleava (9) passes the ball during the fourth quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Rose Bowl.

The Improbability of UCLA’s Incredible Upset Win Against Penn State

Before UCLA beat Penn State, donors were deeply unhappy.
October 5, 2025

CFB’s New Parity Era: Penn State, Texas Top-25 Exits Signal Shift

Penn State and Texas fall entirely out of the top-25 rankings.
Sep 27, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin reacts during the fourth quarter against the Oregon Ducks at Beaver Stadium.
October 6, 2025

Penn State Has a $50 Million James Franklin Problem

Franklin’s team lost to unranked UCLA on Saturday despite being heavy favorites.
Sponsored

How Soccer Star Jozy Altidore Became a Buffalo Bills Owner

Jozy Altidore discusses building a business legacy off the field.
Cody Campbell
October 4, 2025

Fox, ABC Reject Ad Accusing Power Conference Commissioners of Greed

Cody Campbell said the ads were pulled after he paid for them.
Florida State defensive back Renardo Green (8) tackles Miami running back Mark Fletcher Jr. (22) during a college football game Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida.
October 2, 2025

Miami–Florida State Rivalry Heats Up With Priciest Ticket in CFB

The get-in price for Saturday’s matchup in Tallahassee is more than $300.
exclusive
October 2, 2025

Opendorse Is Taking Over Parts of Failed NIL Collective Operator SANIL

SANIL abruptly shut down its operations this week.
October 2, 2025

Big Ten’s $2B Private-Equity Deal Talks Face Michigan Resistance 

The conference is in discussions for a private-capital deal of around $2 billion.