Preliminary numbers indicate a drop-off for the two biggest New Year’s Day bowls.
FOX averaged 11.9 million viewers for the prime time portion of the Sugar Bowl between Hawaii and Georgia, according to preliminary numbers. The 11.9 million viewers is off only 3% from Boise State/Oklahoma last year. Among adults 18-49, the game averaged a 4.7 rating, up 12% from last year.
Compared to last year’s Sugar Bowl, however, the drop was larger. Hawaii/Georgia was down 18% and 10%, respectively, from LSU/Notre Dame in ’07. Last year’s Sugar Bowl was played on January 3.
If the numbers for the final half-hour are any indication, ratings for the Rose Bowl will be lower than last year. USC’s rout of Illinois averaged 9.3 million viewers during the final half-hour, down 51% from 19 million viewers for the final half hour of USC/Michigan in ’07. Keep in mind USC/Illinois was a blowout; viewership was likely higher earlier in the game.
