Story perspectives

College Football Ratings Surge: ABC's Highest Viewership Yet

11/19/2025

Summary

Story summary

College football viewership rose 2% year over year in Week 12.
American Broadcasting Company (ABC) returned to YouTube TV, delivering 8.2 million viewers, its highest ratings since the season's start.
The top game was Oklahoma defeating Alabama, attracting 10.5 million viewers.
ESPN reported strong ratings for other matchups, including Clemson's victory over Louisville.
Week 12 marked a significant boost in college football ratings and sets the stage for the finish.

History

Historical Context

The introduction of the College Football Playoff in 2014 marked a significant shift in college football, enhancing viewer engagement and attracting over 28 million viewers for the championship game. This change followed decades of evolving television rights, particularly after the 1984 Supreme Court ruling that allowed schools to negotiate their own contracts, leading to increased broadcast options and audience growth in college sports.

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Story summary

College football viewership rose 2% year over year in Week 12.
American Broadcasting Company (ABC) returned to YouTube TV, delivering 8.2 million viewers, its highest ratings since the season's start.
The top game was Oklahoma defeating Alabama, attracting 10.5 million viewers.
ESPN reported strong ratings for other matchups, including Clemson's victory over Louisville.
Week 12 marked a significant boost in college football ratings and sets the stage for the finish.

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