College Football Championship Game -- What's Wrong?

I have to congratulate the Alabama Crimson Tide.  What a great College Football Championship game this past week.  

So I was shocked when the TV ratings started rolling in.

This years game ratings were down 23% to 25.7 million viewers. Compare that to the previous year at 33.4 million viewers.

If ESPN made rating guarantees with advertisers at 33 million viewers then…., well, let’s just say I wouldn’t want to be an ESPN traffic coordinator.  

Now some folks think it’s the teams which played this year… Alabama and Clemson vs. the previous year, Ohio State and Oregon.  That might have something to do with it.

I believe there’s more going on and opportunity to increase ratings.

1. Competition — the NFL playoffs are the same time… getting a great deal of clean pre-game promotion is tough.  Beef up the promotion and create stronger sponsor involvement.  It is going to be tough given Super Bowl competition, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be done.
2. When it airs — Perhaps it’s time to think about moving the game to a Saturday evening?  There’s issues with the NFL game schedule, but this might be worth a look.  a
3. Where it airs — the game ran on ESPN exclusive.  What about putting this on ABC? A solid prime time channel and time. 
4. How it airs — online viewership was up 38% this year.  I wouldn’t make any changes. 

The College Football Championship game should be drawing 32 million viewers… it’s a showcase of talent and passion.  ESPN has some work to do.

Scott