Despite drawing the third-highest overnight of the college football season, Saturday night’s Florida/Alabama matchup was down double-digits compared to CBS’ only primetime game last year.
Alabama’s 31-6 win over Florida drew a 5.1 overnight rating on CBS Saturday night, down 25% from the network’s lone primetime game last year (UF/LSU: 6.8), but up 21% from the network’s primetime game in 2008 (LSU/UF: 4.2). The net’s primetime game in 2007 (also UF/LSU) drew a 5.7.
Keep in mind last year’s primetime Florida/LSU game aired opposite MLB postseason coverage.
The 5.1 overnight is the third-highest of the college football season, behind Alabama/Arkansas on CBS one week earlier (5.4) and Boise State/Virginia Tech on ESPN Labor Day (6.8).
Saturday’s telecast topped Saturday Night Football on ABC (Stanford/Oregon or Notre Dame/Boston College) by 50% (5.1 to 3.4).
Earlier Saturday, Tennessee/LSU drew a mere 2.4 overnight, down 35% from LSU/Georgia on the comparable week last year (3.7) and down 8% from Tennessee/Auburn on the comparable week in 2008 (2.6).
(Ratings from Sports Business Daily)
