• Loading stock data...
Monday, May 12, 2025
Join us May 14 at 1 p.m. ET for Future of Sports: Leagues of Their Own Register Now

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

Bill Belichick

UNC Denies Report Jordon Hudson Was Barred From Football Facility

Pablo Torre stood by his reporting on Bill Belichick’s girlfriend.

Roku’s $10M MLB Deal Resumes Despite ESPN Drama

Early Sunday games begin with a high-profile Cubs-Mets matchup.
exclusive

Shams Charania on Draft, Breaking Dončić Trade, ‘Whirlwind’ ESPN Tenure

Charania will work on his first NBA draft lottery for ESPN on Monday.
Sports are shown on TVs behind a bar as guests enjoy the grand opening of DraftKings Sports & Social in Ohio.

DraftKings, FanDuel Interested in Sports Prediction Markets

Sports betting giants are eyeing sports “prediction” markets.

Featured Today

Apr 18, 2024; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal vs Grand Canyon University Antelopes during the MPSF Men's Volleyball Championship at Galen Center.
May 10, 2025

‘What Just Happened’: Inside the Abrupt End of Grand Canyon Men’s Volleyball

Inside Grand Canyon’s shocking decision to cut men’s volleyball.
Mar 26, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Actor and filmmaker Spike Lee (l) greets former professional boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. during the game between the LA Clippers and the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
May 9, 2025

‘Friends of the Garden’: Inside the NBA’s Most Exclusive Celebrity Suite

“Among the titans of industry, deals are done at Suite 200.”
Fat Perez reacts after hitting his shot on the 16th tee during the WHOOP Shot at Glory on the 16th hole at TPC in Scottsdale on Feb. 5, 2025.
May 7, 2025

Golf Influencers Are the New Currency for PGA Tour and LIV

YouTube golf is big business. The rival tours are staging formal events.

Caitlin Clark Is Still Must-See TV, Even in the WNBA Preseason

Indiana will have 41 regular-season games nationally televised or streamed.
May 4, 2025

Kentucky Derby Sets Ratings, Betting Records Despite Attendance Dip

The crowd of 147,406 at Churchill Downs was down 6% from last year.
May 5, 2025

NBA Misses a Dynasty Duel—but Gains a Star-Making Moment

The Warriors defeated the Rockets in seven games.
Sponsored

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

Portfolio Players is our bi-weekly spotlight on the athletes and investors reshaping the business of sports. This week, venture capitalist Kai Cunningham unpacks why athletes land top deals and how the usual investing rules don’t always apply.
Fubo-TV
May 2, 2025

Fubo Loses Subscribers; Focused on Disney Deal Despite Antitrust Probe

The streaming company plans to debut its planned sports bundle this fall.
Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; ESPN president John Skipper during the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Clemson Tigers at Raymond James Stadium.
exclusive
May 2, 2025

Former ESPN President John Skipper Leaving Meadowlark Media

Skipper co-founded the company with host Dan Le Batard in 2021.
May 1, 2025

Formula One Courts Bidders As ESPN Exclusivity Laps Out

The motorsports property is in the final year of its ESPN deal.
May 1, 2025

How Larry Collmus Became the Longest-Running Kentucky Derby Caller

Collmus will call his 15th straight Derby on NBC.