Media Life Magazine’s Diego Vasquez writes that “judging by the disappointing ratings thus far for the Bowl Championship Series, new BCS carrier Fox just might sink to record lows for its bowl finale.”
The all time record low for the National Championship game was a 13.7 for USC/Oklahoma in 2005, a 55-17 rout by the Trojans that included a sorry performance by Ashlee Simpson at halftime. There is every possibility that OSU/Florida could break that dubious record.
There are many factors making this year a terrible one for the BCS. First, the move from ABC to FOX. Too often people overlook the effect a change in networks can have on ratings. The 2003 NBA Finals got horrible ratings for many reasons (including the fact that the Spurs and Nets, both small market teams, played horrible basketball for six grueling games), but the biggest reason was the change from NBC to ABC. Several people switched to NBC to see the Finals, and ended up staying there for Law and Order reruns. Moving the BCS from ABC to FOX has likely caused some viewer confusion.
As I mentioned in a previous column, the teams involved in this year’s BCS are not powerhouse programs with prestige and historical moments. Louisville and Wake Forest are far better known for basketball prowess, and Boise State was largely ignored prior to this year.
The biggest factor, bigger than network changes or bad casting, is the four day break between the Sugar Bowl and the National Championship game. College football is the last thing on many sports viewers minds at this point; the NFL has taken over, and most sports fans are still buzzing over the weekend’s Wild Card games. The National Championship game could have — and should have — been played on Thursday or Friday, with a minimum break between bowl games and before the NFL Playoffs began. Playing the National Championship a full week after New Year’s Day cheapens the event.
The game will certainly get at least a 12 rating, and likely a 14 to 15. FOX has been hyping the game far more than they hyped the World Series, and that could factor in to stopping the bleeding somewhat. But there is a strong possibility that a record low will be set tonight, especially if there’s a blowout.
