No consensus reached after CFP meetings; a longtime Fox reporter will depart the network; Nielsen reports streaming tops linear TV for the first time last month.
No agreement on CFP format
College Football Playoff leadership has no clear consensus on the future of the tournament after meetings this week, according to ESPN’s Heather Dinich. The Big Ten and SEC, who control the discussion about the playoff, are in disagreement about key points of a new deal.
Previous models explored include a format in which the Big Ten and SEC would be guaranteed four spots each, with two more reserved for each the Big 12 and ACC. The “5+11” model appeared to gain traction last month, which would simply expand the current format to four additional at-large teams.
Among the points of contention is the Big Ten’s objection to the SEC and ACC continuing to play eight conference games annually, instead of nine. The SEC is seeking compensation from ESPN as well as assurances of playoff access before adding additional losses to its teams’ resumes.
A deadline of December 1 is in place to reach agreement on the playoff format for 2026-27 and beyond. This year’s playoff will repeat the twelve-team format from last year, with the slight modification that conference champions will not automatically be given a bye if not ranked in the top four spots.
Laura Okmin departing Fox Sports
Longtime Fox Sports NFL sideline reporter Laura Okmin will not renew her contract, ending her 23-year run with the network, according to Front Office Sports. The network was reportedly “surprised” by Okmin’s departure. Okmin primarily worked on Fox’s lower-tier NFL crews, including this past season alongside Kevin Kugler and Daryl Johnston.
Okmin said in an interview with FOS that she will continue to work the NFL Playoffs and Super Bowl for Westwood One’s radio coverage, but her primary focus will be on her own women’s sports development company.
Okmin finishes her TV career at #3 on the list of all-time NFL sideline broadcasts worked, behind Fox’s Pam Oliver and former NBC reporter Michele Tafoya. Prior to Fox, Okmin worked for TNT Sports and CNN.
Streaming surpasses linear in May, per Nielsen
Viewing of streaming video in the US has surpassed broadcast and cable viewership combined for the first time, according to Nielsen’s analysis of May 2025 data. Combined streaming viewership was 44.8% of all content, exceeding the combined share of broadcast TV (20.1%) and cable (24.1%).
YouTube led all platforms with 12.5% share of media consumption. To put it another way, one out of every eight minutes of video watched last month in the US was accessed through YouTube. Netflix remains in second place with a 7.5% share. Even smaller free platforms have a surprising audience: the combined viewership of Tubi, Roku Channel, and PlutoTV was larger than any individual broadcast television network last month.
Nielsen’s “broadcast” and “cable” categories include linear networks like ABC and ESPN, even when accessed through a streaming platform like YouTube TV. Viewership of ESPN+ is included in the “streaming” category, along with other platforms like Prime Video, Peacock, and Paramount+.
