Notre Dame's Diminished Title Hopes Impact Network Ratings, College Football TV Season Thrives Despite Challenges

Strategic Insights -

Notre Dame's loss to Boston College has significantly impacted the Irish's title hopes, affecting network ratings for NBC's remaining games against Brigham Young, Navy, and Air Force. Despite NBC's deal, ABC is also facing a decline in ratings for its November games against Florida State and Southern Cal. The college football TV season has seen a strong start, with ABC's average rating up 14% from last year to 6.5, and NBC's Notre Dame rating up 76% to 6.0. ESPN's Thursday night college football rating is up 50% to a 3.6 average, and its Saturday night rating is up 18% to a 4.0.

Key Takeaways:

  • ABC's average rating is up 14% from last year to 6.5, while NBC's Notre Dame rating is up 76% to 6.0.
  • ESPN's Thursday night college football rating is up 50% to a 3.6 average, and its Saturday night rating is up 18% to a 4.0.
  • NBC's remaining games against Brigham Young, Navy, and Air Force are likely to draw lower ratings due to Notre Dame's diminished title hopes.
  • ABC's ratings for its November games against Florida State and Southern Cal are also expected to decline.
  • The absence of baseball on Saturdays, nationally and locally, has contributed to the improvement in college football TV ratings.
  • ESPN's ratings have been aided by fewer routs, scheduling help from conferences, and strong games like Georgia-Alabama.
  • ABC has selected games suited to various regions, and ESPN has chosen College Football Association games that were passed up by ABC.
  • The college football landscape will change drastically in 1996 with the addition of the Big East and Southeastern conferences to CBS and the Army-Navy game.

Statistics:

  • ABC's average rating: 6.5 (up 14% from last year)
  • NBC's Notre Dame rating: 6.0 (up 76% from 3.4)
  • ESPN's Thursday night college football rating: 3.6 (up 50% from last year)
  • ESPN's Saturday night rating: 4.0 (up 18% from last year)
  • Notre Dame's remaining games against Brigham Young, Navy, and Air Force: expected to draw lower ratings
  • ABC's November games against Florida State and Southern Cal: expected to draw lower ratings
  • The increase in college football TV ratings: attributed to the presence of strong teams, smart game selection, and the absence of baseball on Saturdays.

Sources:

  • "NBC May Have Lost Out on College Football Rights" by David Down, ABC Sports vice president
  • "Notre Dame's Loss May Hurt NBC's Ratings" by Dick Ebersol, president of NBC Sports
  • "College Football TV Ratings on the Rise" by Mike Aresco, senior program manager for ESPN
  • "CBS to Get Big East, S.E.C. and Army-Navy Games" by Len Deluca, vice president of programming for CBS Sports
  • Nielsen ratings