Story perspectives

College Football Week 13 Ratings Dip; Rivalries Boost Anticipation

11/26/2025

Summary

Story summary

Week 13 college football ratings declined slightly, though several games remained highly watched.
American Broadcasting Company (ABC)'s Texas vs. Arkansas game led the week with 5.61 million viewers.
Oregon's 5.43 million-viewer victory over USC was CBS's second-most watched game.
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network (ESPN) presented Florida State's game against NC State and attracted over 2 million viewers.
Ratings are expected to rise in Week 14 due to significant rivalries.

History

Historical Context

The decline in college football ratings in 2014, exemplified by the Texas vs. Arkansas game attracting 5.61 million viewers, reflects a broader trend in television viewership. This shift began after the 1984 Supreme Court ruling that allowed schools to negotiate their own broadcast contracts, leading to increased competition among networks like CBS and ESPN, which now face challenges in retaining audiences amidst changing media consumption habits.

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Story summary

Week 13 college football ratings declined slightly, though several games remained highly watched.
American Broadcasting Company (ABC)'s Texas vs. Arkansas game led the week with 5.61 million viewers.
Oregon's 5.43 million-viewer victory over USC was CBS's second-most watched game.
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network (ESPN) presented Florida State's game against NC State and attracted over 2 million viewers.
Ratings are expected to rise in Week 14 due to significant rivalries.

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