One of the SEC’s best-known rivalries hit at least a 17-year ratings low on CBS.
Florida/Georgia scored a 2.6 final rating and 4.5 million viewers on the SEC on CBS last weekend, down 16% in ratings and 12% in viewership from the same matchup last year (3.1, 5.0M) and down 16% and 11%, respectively, from Mississippi State/Kentucky in 2014 (3.1, 5.0M).
The 2.6 rating is the lowest for the Florida/Georgia rivalry since at least 1999, falling below the previous mark of 2.8 in 2001. The 2002 game, the last edition to air on ESPN rather than CBS, had a 2.9 and 4.7 million.
Of the nine editions of the SEC on CBS this season, the Gators’ win ranks fifth in ratings and viewership.
Despite the lower numbers, Florida/Georgia was the top game in its mid-afternoon timeslot — topping Baylor/Texas on ABC (2.2, 3.5M), Miami/Notre Dame on NBC (1.7, 2.6M) and Washington/Utah on Fox Sports 1 (0.9, 1.4M).
(Wknd. numbers via Sports Business Daily 11/4)
