• Loading stock data...
Monday, July 14, 2025

Epic College Football Playoff Semifinals Give ESPN Ratings Boost

  • Georgia-Ohio State gets 22.1 million audience.
  • TCUs’s upset of Michigan gets 21.1 million viewers.
TCU
Syndication: USA TODAY

Two of the best semifinal games in the modern College Football Playoff era generated big viewership numbers for Disney’s ESPN. 

The network’s Saturday coverage of Georgia-Ohio State in the Peach Bowl and TCU-Michigan in the Fiesta Bowl averaged 21.7 million viewers. 

That’s up 28% over last season – and the best in five years, according to Nielsen Fast Nationals.

The two games ranked as the most-watched non-New Year’s Day semifinals ever. They were the third most-watched since the CFP era kicked off in 2014. 

More on ESPN’s big College Football Playoff TV numbers: 

  • Defending national champion Georgia’s 42-41 comeback victory over Ohio State averaged 22.1 million viewers, peaking at 23.9 million between 9:45 p.m. and 10 p.m. ET. The thriller ranked as the most-watched primetime semifinal since the first year of the CFP – and fourth-best ever. It was also the top non-NFL sporting event on a single broadcast or cable network since the 2022 CFP National Championship.
  • Earlier in the day, TCU’s 51-45 upset win over Michigan averaged 21.4 million viewers, peaking at 26.4 million from 7:45 p.m. to 8 p.m. ET. It was the third most-watched afternoon semifinal of the CFP era – and sixth best ever.
  • Both games ranked among the Top 5 non-NFL telecasts since the start of 2022. Across all streaming platforms, ESPN totaled 336 million minutes, up 36% from last year.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Joy Taylor

Joy Taylor Out As FS1 Armageddon Ends Three Shows

All three shows were struggling to attract audiences.
NBC Sports
exclusive

NBC Hiring Ex-Hawks Exec Grant Liffmann As NBA Front Office Insider

Liffmann spent the last three years with Atlanta after covering the Warriors.
exclusive

Fox Promotes Allison Williams to Laura Okmin’s Former NFL Sideline Role

Williams left ESPN in 2021 after declining to be vaccinated for COVID-19.

Sinner Outduels Alcaraz for First Wimbledon Title and $4M Payday

The best two players in men’s tennis battled once again.

Featured Today

May 31, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Sydney McLaughin-Levrone (USA) reacts before the women's 100m hurdles during the Grand Slam Track Philadelphia at Franklin Field
exclusive

Track’s New Money Is Running Into Old Problems

The sport’s big-money era has hit some speed bumps in 2025.
Bobbleheads are seen at Vintage Indy Sports, Tuesday, April 29, 2025 in Speedway. The local sports memorabilia store opened recently.
July 12, 2025

Baseball’s Bobbleheads Are the Center of the Collectibles Universe

Baseball’s most important keepsake drives long lines—and big business.
Rimouski, QC - JUNE 1: Final Game of the 2025 Memorial Cup between the Medicine Hats Tigers and the London Knights on June 1, 2025, at the Colisée Financière Sun Life in Rimouski, Qc.
July 11, 2025

CHL Is Facing a ‘Pandora’s Box’ of Questions Amid NCAA Talent Departure

As players defect to college, the Canadian Hockey League won’t cede ground.
Jun 28, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) bats during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Field.
July 9, 2025

The Torpedo Bat Business Is Still Going Strong: ‘Here to Stay’

Demand for the oddly shaped bats has stayed strong across the sport.
Paige Bueckers
exclusive
July 8, 2025

Women’s March Madness Expansion Wouldn’t Yield More ESPN Money

ESPN is not required to pay extra if women’s March Madness expands.
Jul 10, 2025; Wimbledon, United Kingdom; Iga Swiatek of Poland at her on court interview after winning her match against Belinda Bencic of Switzerland on day 11 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.
July 10, 2025

Wimbledon Set to Deliver Strong Finals Matchup for ESPN

Novak Djokovic is still in the hunt for his 25th Grand Slam.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
Feb 7, 2025; Storrs, Connecticut, USA; UConn Huskies center Tarris Reed Jr. (5) reacts after his basket against the St. John's Red Storm in the first half at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion.
July 8, 2025

After Decade Apart, ESPN and Big East Rekindle Media Rights Relationship

After a decade-plus apart, the network will stream hundreds of conference events.
Jul 6, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Mexico forward Marcel Ruiz (14) heads the ball in front of United States midfielder Brenden Aaronson (11) in the second half during the 2025 Gold Cup Final at NRG Stadium.
July 7, 2025

USMNT Struggles Still Produce Big Gold Cup Ratings for Fox

The U.S. team’s recent issues culminated in a loss to Mexico.
July 2, 2025

Paramount Settles Trump Suit Ahead of NFL Season, Skydance Merger

The deal likely allows the much larger Skydance merger deal to proceed.
Leo Messi
June 27, 2025

TNT, Club World Cup Ride Messi to Surprisingly Solid Debut Ratings

TNT Sports carries about a third of matches in the U.S.