• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
Nominations Are Open for Front Office Sports Honors! Submit Now

ESPN Enjoys High Bowl Viewership Despite Rose, Cotton Bowl Flops

  • The CFP semifinals drew high viewership, while the Rose and Cotton bowls suffered historic lows.
  • More than a dozen non-NY6 bowls notched more than 2 million viewers.
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

The new 12-team College Football Playoff structure is on its way in two years. But in the meantime, the existing system continues to show its might.

The New Year’s Six and the rest of the bowl season drew impressive television numbers, despite disappointing showings for the Rose and Cotton bowls.

The NY6 bowls have returned to their pre-pandemic popularity — averaging 13 million viewers, according to ESPN. That’s more than any of the last three seasons.

TCU

Epic College Football Playoff Semifinals Give ESPN Ratings Boost

ESPN’s College Football Playoff semifinals ratings were up 28%.
January 2, 2023

More than a dozen non-NY6 bowls notched more than 2 million viewers, suggesting value in bowl games whose relevance has been questioned. And ESPN’s back-to-back coverage of the CFP semifinals — the Peach and Fiesta Bowls — averaged 21.7 million viewers, which was the most in five years.

But the New Year’s Six wasn’t without some major ratings disappointment.

Despite Tulane’s thrilling and historic last-second win over USC, the Cotton Bowl drew an average of about 4.17 million viewers. That’s the lowest Cotton Bowl turnout since 2005, according to SportsMediaWatch. Multiple non-NY6 matchups usurped it.

The Rose Bowl drew an average of 10.19 million viewers, a whopping three million fewer than its previous low, per SportsMediaWatch. While the game wasn’t in its normal New Year’s Day slot, previous viewership on Jan. 2 had never been that bad. 

Non-NY6 bowls, on the other hand, were a success story.

For example, the Gator Bowl between South Carolina and Notre Dame drew 5.8 million viewers. It’s the highest non-NY6 rating since 2015-16 and the best Gator Bowl since Jan 16. The Celebration Bowl between North Carolina Central and Jackson State — two FCS HBCU teams — also drew a historic high of 2.42 million viewers. 

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

March Madness Ratings Dip After Record Start: Will Final Four Deliver?

Viewership had been at a record pace through the opening rounds.
Dec 17, 2022; Orchard Park, New York, USA; NFL Network personality Peter Schrager on the sidelines before a game between the Buffalo Bills and the Miami Dolphins at Highmark Stadium.

ESPN Finalizes Deal With Peter Schrager

Schrager will appear across ESPN’s studio programming.

Featured Today

Seattle Kraken

Samantha Holloway Is Seattle’s NHL Present—and Hopeful NBA Future

Samantha Holloway is steering the Kraken and hoping to revive pro hoops.
Brehanna Daniels
March 31, 2025

NASCAR Pit Crew Member Brehanna Daniels Didn’t Know She’d Be a Trailblazer

The first Black female tire changer didn’t know she’d be a trailblazer.
Columbia, SC - February 16, 2025 - Colonial Life Arena: Rebecca Lobo and Ryan Ruocco during a regular season game.
March 30, 2025

Inside Ryan Ruocco’s Rapid Rise to ESPN’s Top Voice of Women’s Hoops

The top voice became “quickly addicted” to calling the women’s game.
Mar 27, 2025; Newark, NJ, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide guard Chris Youngblood (8) and the Alabama Crimson Tide bench celebrate during the second half against the Brigham Young Cougars during an East Regional semifinal of the 2025 NCAA tournament at Prudential Center.
March 29, 2025

How Alabama Became College Basketball’s Newest Juggernaut

The Crimson Tide have found success rivaling their historic football program.
Oct 20, 2024; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; General view of a television camera operator during the game between the Houston Texans and Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field.

Sources: NFL ‘Virtual Lock’ to Opt Out of Media-Rights Deals

Data continues to support an early opt-out of the league’s rights.
March 31, 2025

Yankees RSN and Comcast Clash Intensifies As Deadline for Deal Nears

The invective escalates as a contract deadline approaches Monday night.
March 31, 2025

Former ESPN Reporter Zach Lowe Rejoins Bill Simmons at The Ringer

Lowe worked with Ringer co-founder Bill Simmons at Grantland.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
exclusive
March 28, 2025

ESPN Making Erin Dolan In-Game Betting Analyst for UFL Games

Erin Dolan will provide betting news and notes during game broadcasts.
Both teams line the field during the singing of the national anthem prior to the start of the opening day game between the NY Yankees and Milwaukee Brewers at Yankee Stadium on Thursday, March 27, 2025.
March 27, 2025

Yankees RSN, Comcast Reach Last-Minute Extension in Ongoing Dispute

The two sides will keep negotiating as large-scale issues remain unresolved.
March 26, 2025

Yankees RSN Faces Comcast Blackout Threat Ahead of Opening Day

The Yankees-led RSN and the No. 2 U.S. cable carrier clash again.
Jan 13, 2025; Glendale, AZ, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) is pursued by Los Angeles Rams linebacker Jared Verse (8) during an NFC wild card game at State Farm Stadium.
March 26, 2025

RFK-Threatened Pharma Ad Ban Wouldn’t Hurt NFL Broadcasters

It wouldn’t be the first effort to restrict drug ads.