Saturday nights are traditionally a dead zone when it comes to television ratings, but college football has lifted ABC to strong numbers on the night multiple times this season.
Texas Tech’s classic victory over then-#1 Texas last Saturday night drew an 8.2 overnight rating on ABC, up 74% from a 4.7 for regional coverage last year. The 8.2 overnight is the second highest of the season for a college football telecast, behind an 8.4 for Ohio State/USC in September, and ahead of a 7.2 for Ohio State/Penn State the previous Saturday.
So far this season, Saturday Night Football is averaging a 5.4 overnight rating on ABC, up 35% from a 4.0 through the same point last year.
Early game coverage did not fare nearly as well. Regional action featuring Florida State against Georgia Tech drew a mere 2.8 overnight on ABC, down 32% from a 4.1 for similar regional coverage in ’07.
The lower ratings for the early game were likely a result of tough competition from Florida/Georgia on CBS. The SEC rivalry game drew a 4.4/10 overnight rating Saturday afternoon, up 5% from a 4.2 for last year’s LSU/Alabama telecast, which aired in a later timeslot.
Highest overnight ratings for college football games this season.
8.4: Ohio State/USC (Sat., 9/13, 8 PM ABC)
8.2: Texas/Texas Tech (Sat., 11/1, 8 PM ABC)
7.2: Ohio State/Penn State (Sat., 10/25, 8 PM ABC)
6.3: Oklahoma/Texas (Sat., 10/11, 12 PM ABC)
