CBS’ annual primetime college football game stumbled in the ratings last week.
The October 1 college football game between #3 Alabama and #12 Florida earned a 4.6 final rating and 7.593 million viewers on CBS, down 8% in ratings and 12% in viewership from the same primetime matchup last year (UF/ALA: 5.0, 8.595M), and down 25% and 28%, respectively, from the network’s lone primetime game in 2009 (UF/LSU: 6.1, 10.496M).
The 2009 game took place in Week 6 of the season.
Alabama’s 28-point win earned CBS’ largest college football audience of the season, though it should be pointed out that six games last year (including the SEC title game) earned better numbers.
Earlier in the day, Auburn/#10 South Carolina scored a 3.2 and 4.814 million viewers, up 23% in ratings and 18% in viewership from last year (TEN/LSU: 2.6, 4.089M), but down 9% and 13%, respectively, from 2009 (LSU/UGA: 3.5, 5.542M).
The CBS tripleheader began with Air Force/Navy, which earned a mere 1.2 and 1.733 million viewers. There was no comparable game last year.
(Nielsen)
