CBS began its college football coverage on a lower note last weekend.
Saturday’s Florida/Tennessee game drew a 3.3 final rating and 5.149 million viewers on CBS, down 23% in ratings and 22% in viewership from the network’s first game last year, which featured the same teams (4.3, 6.620 mil).
Though down from last year, the 3.3 rating marks a 14% increase from the first CBS game in 2008 (Georgia/South Carolina: 2.9) and a 27% rise from the first game in 2007 (Tennessee/Florida: 2.6).
To put the 3.3 in perspective, none of the seven Florida games on CBS last year drew less than a 4.0 rating. Last year’s Florida team featured high profile QB Tim Tebow, who has since moved on to the NFL.
Despite the decline, Saturday’s telecast outdrew regional college football action on ABC airing at the same time by double-digits.
