When the national title game was set between Georgia and TCU, most college football fans knew it wouldn’t be the same draw as if a bigger brand was involved.
That was confirmed on Tuesday.
Per ESPN’s PR team, “The 3-game [College Football Playoff] was up 9% year-over-year, averaging 20.6 million viewers across the Peach Bowl, Fiesta Bowl and national championship.” Adding, “Monday night’s finale featuring TCU and Georgia registered 17.2 million viewers.”
The 3-game @CFBPlayoff was up 9% year-over-year, averaging 20.6 million viewers across the @CFAPeachBowl, @Fiesta_Bowl & the #NationalChampionship
Monday night’s finale featuring @TCUFootball & @GeorgiaFootball registered 17.2 million viewers#CFBPlayoff 📷 by @ESPNImages pic.twitter.com/jJZWBv2377
— ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) January 10, 2023
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Viewers reacted to the disappointing numbers on Twitter.
“The blowout absolutely tanked the rating. Ouch,” a user said.
The blowout absolutely tanked the rating. Ouch https://t.co/7zr1EQrOQP
— Ben Koo (@bkoo) January 10, 2023
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As expected, not a lot of people — relatively speaking —- watched the 65-7 game,” tweeted the AP’s Ralph D. Russo.
As expected, not a lot of people — relatively speaking —- watched the 65-7 game. https://t.co/qjFaB9gu7x
— Ralph D. Russo (@ralphDrussoAP) January 10, 2023
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“Wow only 17.2 mil.”
Wow only 17.2 mil https://t.co/aVwBrDmLly pic.twitter.com/osNKDhZfj4
— Chris Bennett (CB) (@chrisgb002000) January 10, 2023
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“Oooff.”
Oooff https://t.co/tkqLW0BluU
— Jesse (@silverindow) January 10, 2023
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The Bulldogs’ blowout of the Horned Frogs likely played a large role as well, with the game largely being non-competitive pretty much from the opening kick.