Here's how badly New Year's Eve hurt College Football Playoff ratings

By foxsports
Published

Last year's College Football Playoff semifinal ratings were a bonanza for ESPN — but those games were held on New Year's Day.

Not so this year — and the ratings dropoff for New Year's Eve was significant.

Last season, Oregon vs. Florida State (Rose Bowl) and Ohio State vs. Alabama (Sugar Bowl) each drew more than 28 million viewers apiece, per The Washington Post. 

This season, Clemson vs. Oklahoma (Orange Bowl) and Alabama vs. Michigan State (Cotton Bowl) did much, much less. Per Sports Illustrated's Richard Deitsch, the Orange Bowl drew about 15.6 million viewers, while the Cotton Bowl had about 18.6 million.

The problem, in part, lies with the bowls' contractual tie-ins. The Sugar Bowl and the Rose Bowl will always be played on New Year's Day, but those won't always be the bowls that host the semifinal games.

And while New Year's Day is a holiday, New Year's Eve is not. It's a work day for many, who therefore aren't likely able to view the games at their leisure. 

Plus, speaking of leisure, New Year's Eve is traditionally viewed as a time for merry-making and champagne-sipping -- but not really for watching college football.

ESPN reportedly lobbied College Football Playoff organizers to move the date, but playoff officials decided not to do so, apparently in the hopes of creating a new New Year's Eve tradition.

Stay tuned?

(H/t to The Washington Post, ESPN, Sports Illustrated)