Last weekend, CBS drew another strong rating for SEC coverage, while NBC saw its Notre Dame ratings drop.
Saturday’s Tennessee/Alabama game drew a 3.6 rating and 5.7 million viewers on CBS, up 80% and 89%, respectively, from a 2.0 and 3 million for last year’s comparable Alabama/Mississippi game.
This marks CBS’ highest rated, most-viewed SEC telecast of the season that did not involve the Florida Gators. The Gators were involved in the three top games of the season on the network.
On NBC, Boston College/Notre Dame drew a 2.2 rating, off 8% from a 2.4 for Pittsburgh/Notre Dame last year.
The 2.2 rating is the second-lowest of the season for a Notre Dame telecast on NBC, ahead of only 1.3 for Nevada/Notre Dame in September.
Through Saturday, CBS is averaging a 3.9 rating for SEC coverage, while NBC is averaging a 2.6 for Notre Dame games.
Ratings/viewership for college football games on CBS and NBC during ’09 season
CBS
| Date | Game | Net | Rating | Viewers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat., 9/19/09 | Tennessee/Florida | CBS |
4.3
|
6.6 mil
|
| Sat., 9/26/09 | Arkansas/Alabama | CBS |
2.4
|
3.6 mil
|
| Sat., 10/3/09 | LSU/Georgia | CBS |
3.5
|
5.5 mil
|
| Sat., 10/10/09 | Alabama/Mississippi | CBS |
3.1
|
4.9 mil
|
| Florida/LSU | CBS |
6.1
|
10.5 mil
|
|
| Sat., 10/17/09 | Arkansas/Florida | CBS |
4.3
|
6.8 mil
|
| Sat., 10/24/09 | Tennessee/Alabama | CBS |
3.6
|
5.7 mil
|
NBC
| Date | Game | Net | Rating | Viewers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat., 9/5/09 | Nevada/Notre Dame | NBC |
1.3
|
n/a
|
| Sat., 9/19/09 | Michigan St./Notre Dame | NBC |
2.7
|
4.0 mil
|
| Sat., 10/3/09 | Washington/Notre Dame | NBC |
2.9
|
4.4 mil
|
| Sat., 10/17/09 | USC/Notre Dame | NBC |
4.1
|
6.5 mil
|
| Sat., 10/24/09 | Boston College/Notre Dame | NBC |
2.2
|
n/a
|
Source: Sports Business Daily, Nielsen








