• Loading stock data...
Saturday, November 2, 2024
The Best Employers in Sports survey is open through Nov. 6 Learn More

Pat McAfee Draws 251K Viewers For First CFB Alt-Cast On ESPN2

  • That’s about 5% of 5M total viewers who watched Clemson-NC State.
  • About even percentage-wise with ESPN2’s first ‘ManningCast’ in 2021.
Syndication: The Knoxville News-Sentinel

Former teammates Pat McAfee and Peyton Manning are business partners in the burgeoning area of alternative sports telecasts.

The debut of “CFB Primetime with The Pat McAfee Show” on ESPN2 registered 251,000 viewers. 

McAfee and co. gave viewers an alternate, more free-wheeling version of the primary game telecast of NC State vs. Clemson on ABC. 

The 251,000 viewers equaled 5% of the overall viewership of 5 million for the game on ABC and ESPN2. 

That’s roughly the same percentage-wise as the first edition of Peyton and Eli Manning’s “Monday Night Football” ManningCast last year. 

That first ManningCast of the Baltimore Ravens vs. Las Vegas Raiders on Sep. 13, 2021 attracted 800,000 viewers — accounting for around 5% of the overall game viewership of 15.3 million across ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN Deportes. 

McAfee’s 251,000 also tops the 200,000 average over eight games for ESPN’s “KayRod Cast” with Michael Kay and Alex Rodriguez.

The former Indianapolis Colts teammates are two of the hottest names in sports media. They’re supporting each other in their post-playing media careers.

Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions is producing McAfee’s CFB alt-cast. The Pro Football Hall of Famer appeared on McAfee’s first CFB alt-cast. During his appearance, Manning explained the origin of his famous “Omaha” pre-snap call.

“All I can say is I’m a big deal in Omaha, Nebraska now,” joked Manning. “I went there a couple of years ago. I got the key to the city. I got some steaks out of the deal.”

McAfee, meanwhile, has already appeared twice on ESPN2’s ManningCast. The former Colts punter was on the show recently when co-star Eli Manning joked the Denver Broncos should have paid the team’s punter $235 million instead of struggling quarterback Russell Wilson. 

Omaha will produce six CFB “McAfee-Casts” this season. McAfee has also joined the cast of ESPN “College GameDay” — and will make select appearances on Mike Greenberg’s “Get Up” morning show as well as select NFL coverage.

ESPN’s lead college football TV team of Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit, and Holly Rowe called the primary telecast of Clemson’s 30-20 victory over NC State on sister Disney network ABC.

The Manning brothers averaged 1.6 million viewers for their “ManningCast” of the San Francisco 49ers win over the Los Angeles Rams on Monday night.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Sep 28, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; GOP Presidential candidate Donald Trump waves flanked by former Georgia Bulldogs player Herschel Walker, recording art Kid Rock, professional golfer John Daily, Alabama senators Tommy Tuberville (R) and Katie Britt (R) during the second half of the game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Georgia Bulldogs at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Mission Swing State: College Football’s Political Advertising Battle

Trump, Harris, and the PACs that support them are utilizing the sport.
Fubo-TV

Fubo Reports 9% Subscriber Growth As Venu Sports Trial Looms

The sports-focused streamer grew revenue by 21%.

Inside Cosm’s Plans for a Fourth Location—and Beyond

The downtown Detroit site will add to the city’s sports and entertainment district.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

First-Ever 12-Team CFP Takes Shape

0:00

Featured Today

The Untapped Revenue ‘Powder Keg’ of Women’s NFL Fandom

There’s a “boatload” of money at stake for brands and the league.
Oct 19, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway (2) shakes hands while entering the locker room after a game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
October 28, 2024

NIL Director Is the Trendy New Job in College Sports. But the Role Is Chaos

Athletic departments nationwide are hiring for what’s become their most important position.
FuboTV signage
opinion
October 26, 2024

Fubo’s Fight Against Streaming Giants Feels Futile

Fubo notched a legal win, but subs and stock still slump.
October 25, 2024

Inside The Wall at L.A. Clippers’ New $2B Home

FOS went inside the “contagious” energy at the L.A. Clippers’ Intuit Dome.
Adam Schefter

Adam Schefter Uses Same Pirated NFL Clips As Everyone Else

ESPN’s NFL insider posted a video from an illegal stream Thursday night.
October 31, 2024

Comcast’s Olympic Gold: Paris Games Spark Surge in Peacock Subscribers

Company revenue and Peacock subscriptions rise thanks to a big Olympics boost.
October 31, 2024

World Series Delivers 7-Year Ratings Record, Marking MLB’s Big Comeback

Viewership of the five-game win by the Dodgers soared by 74% over last year.
Sponsored

World Series Delivers High-Demand Marquee Matchup

The hype around the World Series matchup drove ticket prices to record levels—but the Dodgers’ dominance quickly quieted the fervor.
October 30, 2024

World Series Game 4 Draws 16.7M Viewers, Up 92% From 2023

The average audience of 16.7 million nearly doubles the comparable figure from last year.
October 30, 2024

Controversy, Championship Battles Keep F1 Viewers Tuned In

Lando Norris and Max Verstappen had a controversial encounter again Sunday.
October 30, 2024

NFL TV Ratings Up and Down in October As Election Draws Near

The NFL took an 8% ratings hit around the 2016 presidential cycle.
October 29, 2024

Baseball Wins the Night: World Series Outdraws ‘Monday Night Football’

MLB gains a rare head-to-head viewership win over the NFL.