Notre Dame versus Alabama was billed as the next great “game of the century” but it didn’t quite reach those expectations – so much for hype! Even though I predicted the final score to be lower than 42-14 my biggest missed prediction was on TV viewership. My guess was that it would be through the roof. But as the overnight ratings showed, the game fell short in terms of most-viewed championship game ever. (This year ranked second for a televised cable event at 17.5 compared to 17.8 for Auburn vs. Oregon two years ago, both are below the BCS record set on ABC in 2006.)
Comparing network to cable is apples and oranges. Be assured not one of our clients bought the first spot in this game. But here is what I do find interesting. ESPN reported the number of fans engaged through their different apps increased dramatically over last year with an average minute audience on their SportsCenter app up over 300 percent and their College Football app up 192 percent.
So, while Alabama got to hoist the crystal ball, I am going to gaze into my crystal ball with an even closer eye on the growth in non-traditional viewing habits especially with the Super Bowl being on CBS this year.
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John Paul Strong
John Paul Strong combines his two decades of automotive marketing experience with a team of more than 150 professionals as owner and CEO of Strong Automotive.
