FC/OT: CFB viewership 2026….

[PSUFTG]

[Tangentially related: The video linked below is very much worth a watch, for PSU fans]

I would be very surprised if this decline becomes regular or permanent.

That said: It is a HUGE decline year-over-year.

Some relevant info:
Through 4 weeks last year there were 11 ranked-vs-ranked ("Good vs Good") matchups
Through 4 weeks THIS year, there were 12 ranked-vs-ranked ("Good vs Good") matchups.
Suffice to say, not a huge inventory of "must see" gamkes - in either year.

This year, of the 12:
8 of them involved at least one SEC team (and 5 were SEC vs SEC)
4 involved at least one Big Ten team (2 were Big Ten vs Big Ten)
2 involved an ACC team (1 was ACC vs ACC)
1 involved a Big 12 (it was Big 12 vs Big 12)

That is not a lot of marquee games. Would viewership improve with more "Good vs Good"? Probably.

This year's Ranked-vs-Ranked:
OleMiss/Louisville
OSU/Texas
Michigan/Oklahoma
Houston/TexasTech
OleMiss/LSU
SMU/Louisville
Texas/Tennessee
OleMiss/Florida
TAMU/LSU
USC/Oregon
Iowa/Michigan
Missouri/MississippiSt

Would ratings improve with more "Good vs Good"?
Probably. And I am sure the TV folks are pushing for it (especially out of the Big Ten - were you have 18 teams and many weeks of the season you can't find 2 intriguing games to broadcast - not good for the TV folks writing the big checks)
Problem is, most schools outside of the SEC are VERY timid wrt scheduling games against teams they might not walk-over. Something, eventually, has got to give.


Aside from the viewership numbers, what should REALLY concern "college" football powers-that -be:
Situations like last week's PSU - Wisconsin game
A reported 108,000 fans (that was actually no more than 85.000 asses in the seats - and nowhere NEAR 108.000 tickets sold) - for a conference opener - on Homecoming - for an undefeated team with a new coach - on a beautiful afternoon - in the midst of an uber-publicized stadium blowout.
That is shocking.


The TV viewership numbers reflect whether or not there is a general "I am just not that interested anymore" (due to professionalization of the sport or whatever). If that continues, it is not good.

Situations like PSU reflect that - plus, obviously, whether or not folks feel the $ vs benefit equation to buy tickets is worth it.
PSU, in this case, may be the canary in a coal mine - especially if the issues persist over the next couple years.
I have always fully expected that for AT LEAST THE FIRST FEW YEARS of the "renovated stadium" era to lead to very good attendance numbers (and that still may prove to be the case) - before cracks might appear.
But even that is already looking very shaky. About 1/2 of the "premium seating" still unsubscribed for next year? PSU offering (at great reluctance) ticket discounting (after early shoppers already paid full price)?

Some good discussions here, FWIW:

It is nice to finally see some of this stuff said out loud, even though it has been a few frustrating years of people ignoring the obvious - and pimping propaganda.



:

 

[manatree]

Don’t forget the highly motivating, crowd pumping Blue Band renditions of Phantom of the Opera and Les Miserables! Makes me want to run through a wall!

Don’t forget their love of ‘Oh Fortuna.’

 

[Catch1lion]

I came across this post, and was thinking yeah this is part of the reason for the decline in viewership. Lotsa guys on here didn't/wouldn't pay to watch the PSU game on the Cock.

 

[NoBareFeet]

#24 in the current system is going to be a MAC or Sun Belt team--they're not opting out
We've yet to see a starter opt out of a playoff game--we never will.

Don't kid yourself. It wasn't long ago that we never, ever saw kids sit out of bowl games. it was unheard of.

 

[PSUFTG]

Don't kid yourself. It wasn't long ago that we never, ever saw kids sit out of bowl games. it was unheard of.

Hell, even at "12" we have already seen a HEAD COACH opt-out
Georgia had adozen or more guys opt-out of last year's playoffs - not sure how impactful any of them were. but that many will most certainly impact a team.
I am sure plenty of other teams with similar situations - though I would have to check on exact numbers.
And in 2024, as PSU fans know, a very impactful guy (Pribula) opted out.

Obviously that just is going to increase as the postseason field expands.

 

[ApexLion]

Hell, even at "12" we have already seen a HEAD COACH opt-out
Georgia had adozen or more guys opt-out of last year's playoffs - not sure how impactful any of them were. but that many will most certainly impact a team.
I am sure plenty of other teams with similar situations - though I would have to check on exact numbers.
And in 2024, as PSU fans know, a very impactful guy (Pribula) opted out.

Obviously that just is going to increase as the postseason field expands.

exactly

 

[Mile High Lion]

OSU Texas did gangbusters. Think someone said one of the best ratings numbers ever. But even that cannot carry the rest of the dead weight. Anymore, if not two top teams, no one will tune in. And I think you’ll see more top match ups lose steam as well.

As I've said before, college football is evolving into a winner take most environment. Eventually there will be one super division of 30-40 teams, mostly SEC and B1G. Everyone else will drop down to a lower tier. They will realize they can't or don't want to compete and the money and TV contracts will dry up. Maybe it will be like the English football league system where a team in the top super league isn't competitive they will drop down and another lower team will want to give it a try and take their place.

 

[NoBareFeet]

Hell, even at "12" we have already seen a HEAD COACH opt-out
Georgia had adozen or more guys opt-out of last year's playoffs - not sure how impactful any of them were. but that many will most certainly impact a team.
I am sure plenty of other teams with similar situations - though I would have to check on exact numbers.
And in 2024, as PSU fans know, a very impactful guy (Pribula) opted out.

Obviously that just is going to increase as the postseason field expands.

Further contributing to this is the factor that most of these kids aren't trying to win a championship for their school anymore. Most players will have very little attachment to whatever football program ponied up the most money to have them play for them. Do you think these Iowa State transfers are "bleed blue and white" Penn Staters?

 

[psuro]

Maybe it will be like the English football league system where a team in the top super league isn't competitive they will drop down and another lower team will want to give it a try and take their place.

I always had hoped they would do that for college football officials, if the officials all were part of a national group as opposed to being associated with specific conferences. After grading the officials, the bottom 10% drop to the (now) G6 level, and the top 10% of the G6 level get elevated to P4.

But, I also like to ride my pink unicorn through the clouds....

 

[LionJim]

But, I also like to ride my pink and black unicorn through the clouds....

Fixed, ffs. I sometimes worry about you, Ro.

 

[psuro]

Fixed, ffs. I sometimes worry about you, Ro.

 

[KingLando]

Don't kid yourself. It wasn't long ago that we never, ever saw kids sit out of bowl games. it was unheard of.

But they should have...unless it determined the champ it was meaningless. A playoff never is.

 

[Catch1lion]

Another possible reason for decreased viewership is that there are 5 events on at once. You have to be a monkey on crack or operating 5 splits screens to take it in.

 

[KingLando]

Hell, even at "12" we have already seen a HEAD COACH opt-out
Georgia had adozen or more guys opt-out of last year's playoffs - not sure how impactful any of them were. but that many will most certainly impact a team.
I am sure plenty of other teams with similar situations - though I would have to check on exact numbers.
And in 2024, as PSU fans know, a very impactful guy (Pribula) opted out.

Obviously that just is going to increase as the postseason field expands.

Beau is the only contributor that has opted out. And will remain the only one.

The coach didn't opt out...he wanted to stay for the playoff run

 

[psuro]

Another possible reason for decreased viewership is that there are 5 events on at once. You have to be a monkey on crack or operating 5 splits screens to take it in.

Pfffttt......who the hell wants to watch Pittsburgh at Cleveland when the Hilltoppers are visiting the Aggies?

 

[Big_O]

Further contributing to this is the factor that most of these kids aren't trying to win a championship for their school anymore. Most players will have very little attachment to whatever football program ponied up the most money to have them play for them. Do you think these Iowa State transfers are "bleed blue and white" Penn Staters?

That sums it up for a lot of what is going on with CFB today. For a lot of us this has diminished our desire to watch or attend games.

 

[KingLando]

That sums it up for a lot of what is going on with CFB today. For a lot of us this has diminished our desire to watch or attend games.

Older generations which isn't the target audience...right or wrong

 

[Grant Green]

Will someone please argue with Lando. He’s trying really hard and getting virtually no response.

 

[Midnighter]

Will someone please argue with Lando. He’s trying really hard and getting virtually no response.

This seems like one of those situations where arguing with actual numbers seems pointless.....? Let me get my quant.... @LionJim ?

 

[PSUFTG]

Another possible reason for decreased viewership is that there are 5 events on at once. You have to be a monkey on crack or operating 5 splits screens to take it in.

Is that different from last year?

 

[Catch1lion]

Is that different from last year?

I would say it’s becoming more frequent . Netflix NFL games are ridiculous. It’s not 11%, but some of the decline . People are cutting back cause of cost. Young adults don’t even have cable or main channel streaming . The declining numbers as you know have multiple causes .

 

[Midnighter]

I was in the Blue Band, but yes, some new material once in a while would be nice.

If you're gonna go Broadway at a college football game where you're competing with Who Let the Dogs Out? and Kanye West's 'Power', you need to go big or go home - 'Do You Hear The People Sing?' from Les Mis, or more appropriately for PSU fans, The Book of Mormon's 'Tomorrow is a Latter Day!' would work well.

 

[BCS PSU]

I would say it’s becoming more frequent . Netflix NFL games are ridiculous. It’s not 11%, but some of the decline . People are cutting back cause of cost. Young adults don’t even have cable or main channel streaming . The declining numbers as you know have multiple causes .

I don't think that there's any doubt that interest is being diminished except in a few select markets like Columbus because of the current state of the game with yearly revolving rosters and no loyalty. This is creating greater disinterest and apathy.

Also, the product is being diluted, especially on a Saturday when there are games on from 12:00 p.m. to early on Sunday morning on upwards of ten networks if not more.

Finally, rather than making the competition more competitive among a greater number of teams, the pay for play actually has reduced the number of teams that have a legitimate shot at winning a NC and, because of this, there now just are so many more uncompetitive games even within a conference like the Big 10. We all know that if OSU has a typical day, there's only maybe two or three Big 10 teams right now that have a realistic chance of beating them. God, look at what UGA did to another so-called Blue Blood in Oklahoma last week. All but a handful of teams now are playing for scraps and smart people know it.

 

[SkiSkiSki]

24 team playoff >>>> 12 or 16 team playoff with CCGs

In FCS a 15th rated team has won the title once in their history. Most teams rated less than 8th don't go deep into the tournament. A 24 team playoff is useless except to try to make more money. It makes the remaining bowl games even more useless than they already are.

 

[KingLando]

In FCS a 15th rated team has won the title once in their history. Most teams rated less than 8th don't go deep into the tournament. A 24 team playoff is useless except to try to make more money. It makes the remaining bowl games even more useless than they already are.

So those playoff games are useless but bowl games matter? Make it make sense

Every playoff game is infinitely more relevant than a bowl game. Check out the FCS playoff last year.

It also makes more regular season games meaningful.

 

[Moogy]

If you're gonna go Broadway at a college football game where you're competing with Who Let the Dogs Out? and Kanye West's 'Power', you need to go big or go home - 'Do You Hear The People Sing?' from Les Mis, or more appropriately for PSU fans, The Book of Mormon's 'Tomorrow is a Latter Day!' would work well.

 

[BobPSU92]

This won’t help TV ratings:

San Diego State football team dealing with mumps outbreak

San Diego State's football team is dealing with a mumps outbreak as it prepares for Saturday's Pac-12 opener against Texas State.

www.espn.com

 

[PSUFTG]

Finally, rather than making the competition more competitive among a greater number of teams, the pay for play actually has reduced the number of teams that have a legitimate shot at winning a NC and, because of this, there now just are so many more uncompetitive games even within a conference like the Big 10.

That is exactly what the powers-that-be have been working to do all along - including with the senate Bill that is now between chambers.

I think it is an INCREDIBLY stupid and short-sighted and greed-driven move - but I would expect nothing less, given the actions of those powers-that-be over the last many years.


Although I would caveat wrt the Big Ten:

A lot of the reasons why the Big Ten has largely gone to **** in recent years (and it has, top to bottom, to anyone but the most myopic "Big Ten Pimpers" - YES, it has been really strong at the "tippy-top", but complete **** wrt the overall quality. And just about any program from 6-18 in the conference)... a lot of that is self-imposed through the actions of the Big Ten folks.
The counter exhibit: The SEC has remained very deep w quality - and may be getting even deeper.

 

[Catch1lion]

Supersaturation .

 

[Binder74]

I always had hoped they would do that for college football officials, if the officials all were part of a national group as opposed to being associated with specific conferences. After grading the officials, the bottom 10% drop to the (now) G6 level, and the top 10% of the G6 level get elevated to P4.

But, I also like to ride my pink unicorn through the clouds....

So where would B1G officials go go when they're already at the bottom?

 

[Binder74]

I

In FCS a 15th rated team has won the title once in their history. Most teams rated less than 8th don't go deep into the tournament. A 24 team playoff is useless except to try to make more money. It makes the remaining bowl games even more useless than they already are.

I've heard that the bowls are trying to move the bowl games to the beginning of the season so they're not so irrelevant.

 

[KingLando]

I

I've heard that the bowls are trying to move the bowl games to the beginning of the season so they're not so irrelevant.

Which would be ideal--great first weekend of the season

 

[psuro]

So where would B1G officials go go when they're already at the bottom?

UFL.

 

[psuro]

I

I've heard that the bowls are trying to move the bowl games to the beginning of the season so they're not so irrelevant.

Isn't that what happened with the game between UVa and WVU a couple weeks ago? If was in Charlotte-The Mayo Bowl(?)

 

[LionJim]

UFL.

AAFC.

 

[NewEra 2026]

I

I've heard that the bowls are trying to move the bowl games to the beginning of the season so they're not so irrelevant.

Interesting. Traditional bowl sites tend to be unbearably hot at the beginning of the season.

 

[olelion]

Add to the declining viewership that moms are holding their boys back from football and pushing kids to soccer and more notably of late, lacrosse. A few years ago Denver University won the Lacrosse national championship. That was wake up. An eastern sport heading west like that doesn't bode well for the future of football. In summary football has peaked.

 

[BobPSU92]

I've heard that the bowls are trying to move the bowl games to the beginning of the season so they're not so irrelevant.

We probably won’t see the Pinstripe Bowl in late August.

 

[psuro]

Interesting. Traditional bowl sites tend to be unbearably hot at the beginning of the season.

But, they also play NFL, college and high school games in those areas at that time. Florida, Carolinas, Texas, Arizona, etc.

 

[BobPSU92]

Last night’s games:

New Mexico State 34, Western Kentucky 13

North Texas 45, Tulsa 44 (OT)

What were the TV ratings?