• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, October 15, 2024
The Best Employers in Sports survey is now open! Take the survey

Ohio State-Michigan Thriller Produces Record Viewership For Fox

  • Saturday’s game averaged just over 19 million viewers — the most-watched regular-season college football game in Fox’s history.
  • The network’s pregame show, Big Noon Kickoff, reportedly edged out ESPN’s College Gameday in the viewership battle for the first time.
Michigan Wolverines running back Blake Corum rushes in the second half against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Michigan Stadium.
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

One of the most consequential editions of The Game between Ohio State and Michigan yielded unprecedented television viewership.

Saturday’s 30-24 victory for the Wolverines over the Buckeyes on Fox averaged just over 19 million viewers — the most-watched regular season college football game in the network’s history and the most-watched game on any network since 2011.

It was an 11% increase in viewership from last year’s version of the rivalry game and was, of course, the most-watched game of the college football regular season. Fox adds that it was also the most-streamed game contest in its history. 

It was also the second-most watched iteration of The Game, trailing only 2006’s “Game of the Century,” which attracted over 21 million viewers for a No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup, per SportsMediaWatch.

The matchup’s 9.0 rating was the third-best for the rivalry all-time and the best since 2016.

It wasn’t Fox’s only win on Saturday.

The network’s pregame show, Big Noon Kickoff, attracted 2.34 million average viewers, just enough to edge out ESPN’s College GameDay in the viewership battle — the first time that has happened, per Andrew Marchand

This year’s edition of The Game certainly lived up to its hype: tickets to the game on the secondary market were selling for record-high prices in the lead-up.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Big Ten, SEC Reject Super League Idea but Are Exploring Scheduling Deal

SEC teams are 2–1 in games against Big Ten programs this season.

Hawai‘i to Join Mountain West As Full Member in 2026

It’s the latest move in the most recent wave of conference realignment.

MLB Playoff Ratings Keep Climbing

The MLB playoffs are down to the final four teams.
Sep 21, 2024; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) walks through Buff Walk before the game against the Baylor Bears at Folsom Field.
opinion

The NIL Era Is a Wild West. Is Anyone Surprised?

Amateurism is dead and college athletes are professionals. How’s that working out?
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

Haason Reddick’s Holdout Continues With Top NFL Agent

0:00

Featured Today

Sep 15, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs fans celebrate after a touchdown by Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice (4) during the first half against the Cincinnati Bengals at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.

‘This Is My Whole Life’: How Swifties Became NFL Superfans

The “Chiefties” have arrived. And they are “fully committed” to football.
October 11, 2024

‘We’re Ready for FBS’: Sacramento State Is Serious About the Jump

How the Hornets got themselves on the short list of potential call-ups.
Duante' Abercrombie News Ch.4 interview
October 9, 2024

Tennessee State’s Ambitious Plan to Launch an HBCU Hockey Program

TSU has big plans, but the university is facing an existential dilemma.
October 8, 2024

Ryan Smith Sees Salt Lake City As Next Vegas-Like Sports Town

Utah Hockey Club’s owner says all the pieces are falling into place.
Feb 14, 2024; Kansas City, MO, USA; The Kansas City Chiefs logos at midfield and end zone at Arrowhead Stadium at the Truman Sports Complex.

Alternate Super Bowl Broadcast Could Further Boost NFL’s Record Ratings

Super Bowl LIX will see the NFL evolve its alt-cast strategy.
October 14, 2024

WNBA Postseason Ratings Still Surging Post–Caitlin Clark

The WNBA playoffs still had serious momentum entering the Finals.
October 14, 2024

Cricket Is World’s No. 2 Sport. Can New Series Add U.S. Audience?

The new series will come a year after the T-20 World Cup.
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.
October 11, 2024

ESPN Expands ‘Monday Night Football’ on ABC With Six Additional Games

The 2024 slate of dual-network NFL coverage now looks much more like last year’s.
October 10, 2024

ESPN’s Bold Future: Pitaro Unveils Ambitious Sports Streaming Plans

The current network chair also continued to downplay a much-used former slogan.
October 10, 2024

College Football’s Most-Hyped Weekend: Networks Set to Cash In

NBC gets No. 2 Ohio State at No. 3 Oregon, while ABC has No. 9 Ole Miss at No. 13 LSU.
October 9, 2024

MLB Asks DSG for Immediate Clarity on 2025 Broadcast Plans

The league seeks answers from the regional sports network operator regarding the 2025 season.