ABC earned strong numbers for the first and last games of its Saturday college football tripleheader.
The latest edition of Saturday Night Football, featuring Oklahoma/Oklahoma State in 54% of TV markets, earned a 5.2 overnight rating on ABC — down 2% from last year (ND/STAN*: 5.3), and down 28% from 2008 (TTU/OU: 7.2).
Though down from both last year and 2008, Saturday night’s telecast drew the second-largest overnight of the season for college football on ABC. Only the October 30 edition of Saturday Night Football drew better numbers (ORE/USC*: 5.3).
Earlier in the day, regional action featuring Northwestern/Wisconsin in 70% of TV markets earned a 3.8 overnight, up 36% from last year (MIA/USF*: 2.8), and down 19% from 2008 (MSU/PSU*: 4.7).
The 3.8 stands as ABC’s fifth highest of the season in 3:30 PM window (14 telecasts), and is tied as the net’s 11th best overnight overall (27 telecasts).
The day began with the latest chapter of the Michigan/Ohio State rivalry. Ohio State’s victory drew a 4.8 overnight, up 7% from last year’s game between the teams (4.5), and down 6% from their 2008 matchup (5.1).
Last year’s Ohio State/Michigan game aired one week earlier in the season.
The 4.8 overnight is tied as ABC’s highest overnight of the season for an afternoon college football game (16 telecasts), and is tied as the net’s fourth-best overnight overall (27 telecasts).
Even with the strong numbers, none of ABC’s five college football windows over the weekend could come to within even 40% of Friday’s Auburn/Alabama game on CBS (7.5).
(Ratings from Sports Business Daily)
