Overnights for Alabama-Washington and Clemson-Ohio State together averaged a 10.4, up six percent from last year’s CFP doubleheader, which drew a 9.8.
MORE: Crimson Tide defense set to carry ‘Bama to another title
The Crimson’s Tide’s 24-7 win over the Huskies drew a 10.9 overnight rating, up 12 percent from last year’s Clemson-Oklahoma game, which drew a 9.7.
The Tigers’ 31-0 blowout of the Buckeyes, meanwhile, pulled a 10.0 overnight, up one percent from Alabama-Michigan State last season, which posted a 9.9.
The CFP and ESPN tried to start a new tradition by playing the the semifinals on New Year’s Eve. They thought the games would become as much a part of the New Year’s Eve ritual as watching the ball drop in Times Square.
But the CFP quickly abandoned those plans after TV viewership plummeted 40 percent for last year’s New Year’s Eve games compared to the 2014 semifinals played on New Year’s Day.
The fact that this year’s semifinals were played on Saturday (rather than a Thursday night last year) also helped, according to Sports TV Ratings.
BENDER: Will Ohio State’s brutal loss impact playoff process?
But ESPN and the CFP should be concerned that semifinals ratings are still way off from 2014.
Via Sports TV Ratings:
ESPN has a lot at stake with the CFP. The “Worldwide Leader in Sports” cut a $5.64 billion, 12-year deal to televise the four-team playoff in 2012.
