Moving from broadcast to cable, the Capital One and Gator Bowls both experienced double-digit declines in overnight ratings on Saturday.
ESPN earned a 4.0 overnight for Alabama’s blowout win over Michigan State in the Capital One Bowl Saturday, down 42% from last year (PSU/LSU: 6.9, ABC), and down 44% from 2009 (UGA/MSU: 7.2, ABC).
The 4.0 overnight is the lowest for the Capital One Bowl since at least 1999 (overnight ratings prior to 2000 were not available). From 2000-10, the game drew at least a 5.0 overnight each year.
Despite the lower numbers, the game outperformed ESPN’s comparable New Year’s Day bowl game last year, the Outback Bowl (NWSTN/AUB: 3.7).
Over on ESPN2, Mississippi State’s blowout of Michigan in the Gator Bowl earned a 2.0 overnight, down 54% from both last year (FSU/WVU: 4.3, CBS) and 2009 (NEB/CLEM: 4.3, CBS).
As with the previously mentioned Capital One Bowl, the 2.0 overnight for the Gator Bowl ranks as the lowest for that bowl game since at least 1999. From 2000-10, the game drew less than a 4.0 overnight only once — in 2008 (TTU/VA: 2.7, CBS).
Both games finished well behind the Outback Bowl on broadcast network ABC, which drew a 7.6 overnight.
