### College Football Playoff Ratings Decline Amid NFL Competition The College Football Playoff (CFP) experienced a **7% drop in viewership** during its first round, averaging **9.9 million viewers** across various networks, including ABC, ESPN, TNT, TBS, and truTV. This decline is attributed to stiff competition from the NFL, particularly a high-profile game between the Chicago Bears and the Green Bay Packers, which attracted **21.3 million viewers**. The CFP's ratings were further impacted by the scheduling of key games on networks that traditionally draw fewer viewers compared to ABC and ESPN, where the most popular games are typically aired. Notably, Alabama's comeback against Oklahoma was the standout game, drawing **14.9 million viewers** [https://www.nbcnews.com/sports/college-football/college-football-playoff-ratings-drop-7-nfl-competition-impacts-viewer-rcna250901][https://apnews.com/article/cfp-ratings-tv-alabama-oklahoma-espn-793e0c26cad0c9b4f7918821b4be08fb]. ### Breakdown of the Situation 1. **Viewership Statistics**: The first round of the CFP averaged **9.9 million viewers**, a decrease from **10.6 million** the previous year. 2. **NFL Competition**: The NFL's regular-season games significantly overshadowed the CFP, with two games averaging **18.4 million viewers** each. 3. **Game Scheduling**: Key CFP games aired on TNT, TBS, and truTV, which are less popular than ABC and ESPN, contributing to lower viewership numbers. 4. **Top Performers**: Alabama vs. Oklahoma was the most-watched game, while the later games on Saturday struggled due to overlap with NFL broadcasts [https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/college-football-playoff-tv-ratings-214744913.html][https://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/cfp_ratings_plummet_7_as_games_opposite_nfl_struggle_again/s1_17047_43246628]. ### Supporting Data and Evidence - **Average Viewership**: - **CFP First Round**: 9.9 million viewers (2025) - **Previous Year**: 10.6 million viewers - **Alabama vs. Oklahoma**: 14.9 million viewers - **NFL Game (Bears vs. Packers)**: 21.3 million viewers - **Miami vs. Texas A&M**: 14.8 million viewers (early game without NFL competition) [https://frontofficesports.com/cfp-first-round-viewership-falls-7-amid-stiff-nfl-competition][https://www.thelocalreport.in/college-football-playoff-ratings-drop-7-as-nfl-contests-impact-viewership]. ### Conclusion and Key Takeaways The **7% decline in College Football Playoff ratings** highlights the **significant impact of NFL competition** on college sports viewership. The following points summarize the findings: 1. **Overall Ratings Decline**: The CFP's first round saw a drop to **9.9 million viewers**, down from **10.6 million** the previous year. 2. **NFL Dominance**: NFL games continue to attract larger audiences, with the Bears vs. Packers game drawing over **21 million viewers**. 3. **Scheduling Issues**: The airing of key CFP games on less popular networks contributed to the decline in viewership. 4. **Top Games**: Alabama's game was the most-watched, indicating that matchups featuring traditional powerhouses still draw significant interest. In conclusion, the College Football Playoff must navigate the challenges posed by NFL competition to maintain and grow its audience in future seasons [https://www.nbcnews.com/sports/college-football/college-football-playoff-ratings-drop-7-nfl-competition-impacts-viewer-rcna250901][https://apnews.com/article/cfp-ratings-tv-alabama-oklahoma-espn-793e0c26cad0c9b4f7918821b4be08fb].