CFB ratings

[Beatle Bum]

College football is my favorite sport and it is not close, but CFB television viewership for the 2026 season is down 11% through September compared to the same period in 2025.

Only two games topped 10 million viewers during September 2026 (Ohio State vs. Texas at 14 million, and LSU vs. Ole Miss at 10.9 million), compared to four major games in Week 1 of 2025.

According to AI, analysts suggest that an expanding playoff format reduces the urgency or incentive for top-tier programs to schedule high-stakes, marquee non-conference games early in the season. This year has seen two less high value matchups in the first 4-5 weeks.

I have friends who also say the portal and NIL have caused their interest to lessen.

 

[ScWildcat3]

Also a lot of bad games the first 2-3 weeks. Now conference play is heating up ratings will go up. Realistically though only big ten and sec have top tier games to watch. Acc is 1 team league. Big 12 no one really cares about.

the nil thing has always been funny to me. Nothing has changed except it’s out in the open now. But you still have some who truly believe their teams never paid players before now. It’s comical.

 

[Smeegs]

It really is a significant drop. And quite unexpected after last year’s CFB playoffs did so well in the ratings.

NIL and the transfer portal turning some fans off probably has something to do with it. But you have wonder if the playoffs might also be a factor. College basketball basically wrecked its regular season by expanding the tournament so much that fans now feel like there’s no need to tune in until March. I hope college football doesn’t make the same mistake.

 

[ScWildcat3]

The lack of good teams outside of 2 conferences hasn’t helped either. No one is going to watch acc unless it’s Miami at this point.

 

[GeraldV]

I think it was the athletic that did an article last week positing that the extra conference game added meant that most teams softened up their non conference schedule. Worse games means worse ratings.

 

[Beatle Bum]

No conference matchup has garnered 10 million viewers this year. I have to think this past weekend involved probably the worst matchups for TV.

 

[MichaelGray]

There's going to be some highly rated games next Saturday for viewing, mainly one I'll be at in Lexington

Sec 23 as always


Georgia @ Alabama will probably get the highest rating though.

 

[OGtruebluewildcat]

A lot of stinker games early.

The big matchup events that we’ve had I think will eventually become more normal.

The puff cake games have been trending unwatchable for years.

Those games may become exhibitions eventually.

The P2 teams have been separating for decades. The idea that Alabama and WKU are both “Division 1” is asinine.

SEC/BIG will most likely gobble up a few more teams each and spin off into their own entity.

Or at least mandate that more big games between the two.

Could also see them forcing ND to do something in OOC. Like telling Irish if they don’t want to join a conference then they at least have to schedule a SEC and BIG team because ACC road just isn’t cutting it.

Big ND early season games…v Texas, Bama, Ohio State, Michigan, etc would smash ratings records.

 

[DonAndy]

There's going to be some highly rated games next Saturday for viewing, mainly one I'll be at in Lexington

Sec 23 as always


Georgia @ Alabama will probably get the highest rating though.

Man what do those season tickets run ya? If that's private info my bad.

 

[vhcat1970]

A lot of stinker games early.

The big matchup events that we’ve had I think will eventually become more normal.

The puff cake games have been trending unwatchable for years.

Those games may become exhibitions eventually.

The P2 teams have been separating for decades. The idea that Alabama and WKU are both “Division 1” is asinine.

SEC/BIG will most likely gobble up a few more teams each and spin off into their own entity.

Or at least mandate that more big games between the two.

Could also see them forcing ND to do something in OOC. Like telling Irish if they don’t want to join a conference then they at least have to schedule a SEC and BIG team because ACC road just isn’t cutting it.

Big ND early season games…v Texas, Bama, Ohio State, Michigan, etc would smash ratings records.

Actually, I’d rather SEC & B1G not schedule ND at all. F their high opinion of ND.

 

[MichaelGray]

Man what do those season tickets run ya? If that's private info my bad.

My 2 seats cost me a little over $1500, the K fund drives the price up considerably.