• Loading stock data...
Saturday, December 14, 2024

Love the CFP or Hate It, There’s No Debating It’s Huge, and Only Getting Bigger

  • The oft-criticized event has solidified its status as a major sports TV draw.
  • Numerous networks and streams are actively pursuing rights to the expanded tournament.
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The College Football Playoff is one of the most talked-about events in sports, creating massive amounts of debate and division about who should be part of the current four-team format, and how the future 12-team structure will be built. It has also solidified its status in the last year as the biggest event in all of U.S. sports outside of the NFL, at least in terms of TV audiences. 

Against the CFP’s backdrop of disruption and uncertainty, last year’s championship game ranked 78th among the top 100 U.S. TV broadcasts of 2023, with an average audience of 17.2 million. That game, won by Georgia, was one of just seven entries on the top 100 list that weren’t NFL offerings, and college football was the only other sport on that list. Four games in the current college football season have performed even better, suggesting a monster TV rating to come for Monday’s title tilt between Michigan and Washington:

  • 19.1 million for the Ohio State-Michigan game on Thanksgiving weekend (61st on the 2023 top 100 list)
  • 17.5 million for the SEC title game on Dec. 2 between Alabama and Georgia (74th)
  • 27.2 million for the CFP semifinal between Michigan and Alabama on Jan. 1, representing one of the 10 most-watched cable TV telecasts of all time
  • 18.4 million for the other CFP semifinal on Jan. 1, played between Washington and Texas

These audiences outdistance the current TV draws for other major pro and college sports events, such as the NBA Finals, World Series, Final Four, Kentucky Derby, and the Masters. It’s also why a wide range of TV networks and streamers are coveting the rights to the expanded CFP. ESPN currently holds the rights to the quarterfinals, semifinals, and title game through 2026. 

But talks are underway for the rights to first-round games the next two seasons, and the full CFP package starting in 2026. The growing size of the CFP—both in the number of games and the overall stature of the event—could lead to an NFL-like split of the rights among several media partners.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

The Top-Secret Operation to Create the Army-Navy Football Uniforms

The two-year process includes dozens of employees, NDAs, and military historians.
Mina Kimes and Ryan Clark at NFL draft

ESPN Talent Turns Its Fire on Aaron Rodgers

The network’s NFL talent ripped the QB as ‘hypocritical’ this week.
De'Vondre Campbell

49ers Set to Cut Starter for Refusing to Enter Game: ‘Stupid’ and..

De’Vondre Campbell refused to re-enter the game Thursday night.
Georgia defensive lineman Mykel Williams (13) goes in for a sack on Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers (3) during the second half of the SEC championship game against Texas in Atlanta, on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024.

How the CFP’s On-Campus Guinea Pigs Are Handling Historic December Home Games

The biggest games in school history will be when students are home for break.

Featured Today

Nov 2, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Detailed view of a Wilson NBA basketball held by a referee during the second half between the Utah Jazz against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena

‘Obvious Weak Point’: Refs Remain an NBA Gambling Concern

A season after Jontay Porter, the biggest risk may not be players.
Nov 2, 2024; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines cheerleader runs with a flag before the game against the Oregon Ducks at Michigan Stadium.
opinion
December 7, 2024

College Football’s Billionaire Backer Era Begins

Is this the new normal in CFB recruiting?
LA Galaxy forward Dejan Joveljic (9) celebrates with midfielder Riqui Puig (10) after scoring a goal against Seattle Sounders FC in the second half in the 2024 MLS Cup Western Conference Final match at Dignity Health Sports Park
December 6, 2024

With or Without Messi, Major League Soccer Is Barreling Into the Future

After the Cup final, the league looks to accelerate its growth.
Dec 18, 2022; Lusail, Qatar; FIFA president Gianni Infantino claps during the awards ceremony after the 2022 World Cup final between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium.
December 2, 2024

FIFA Wants More Matches. Resistance Is Growing Inside the Global Soccer World

Resentment and frustration over expanded schedules is nearing a breaking point.
Dec 12, 2024; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels new head coach Bill Belichick speaks to those attending his hiring announcement at Loudermilk Center for Excellence.

UNC Job Brings an End to Belichick’s Short-Lived Media Career

Bill Belichick had six media jobs this football season.
Nov 4, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Broadcaster Scott Van Pelt prior to a game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
December 12, 2024

Scott Van Pelt Headlines ESPN’s Talent Lineup for Tiger’s New Golf League

TGL launches in January with backing from Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy.
December 12, 2024

YouTube TV Jacks Up Prices Again Before NFL Playoffs

The Google product has more than doubled in price over seven years.
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.
December 11, 2024

NFL Scheduling Gambit Pays Off With Two Blockbuster Sunday Games

The Week 15 schedule has a game pairing seen only once since 1970.
December 11, 2024

Pat McAfee’s Kicking Contest Saw $650,000 Awarded—and $5 Million Missed

The weekly contest on ESPN’s “College GameDay” paid out $650,000.
December 11, 2024

F1’s TV Ratings Similar to 2023, but Still Below the Record Highs..

The F1 season averaged 1.1 million viewers in the U.S.
December 11, 2024

WBD Secures Comcast Deal, Readies for Future Without NBA Rights

The TNT Sports parent company continues to remake itself in dramatic fashion.