College Football Viewership Declines Double Digits Early in 2026 Season
Despite marquee matchups, early season college football ratings are down 11% compared to last year, while NFL ratings remain stable.
Overall viewership for the 2026 college football season has dropped 11% in its first four weeks when compared to the same period in 2025, according to Nielsen data. FBS broadcasts have averaged 1.7 million viewers this season.
In contrast, NFL ratings have remained relatively flat through their initial three weeks, with some networks experiencing slight upticks and others minor decreases. The NFL's decision to begin its season on a Wednesday, rather than a Thursday, has also influenced the overall average.
This decline in college football viewership is occurring despite the presence of several high-profile games. The first four weeks featured matchups such as LSU vs. Clemson, Ohio State vs. Texas, LSU vs. Ole Miss, and Texas vs. Tennessee. However, key games have seen reduced audiences compared to the previous year.
The Ohio State vs. Texas game, for example, drew 14 million viewers this season, a decrease from the 16.6 million who watched the same matchup a year ago. Several factors may be contributing to this trend. Last season's Ohio State-Texas game occurred in Week 1, when fan anticipation is typically higher, and Ohio State was the defending national champion. The game also kicked off earlier in the day, at noon ET, compared to this year's 7:49 p.m. ET start time.
Late kickoff times have become more prevalent this season, potentially impacting viewership. The Week 1 matchup between LSU and Clemson, delayed by weather, did not begin until 9:40 p.m. ET, which likely affected its audience, drawing under 6 million viewers.
The expanded 12-team College Football Playoff format may also be a factor, potentially lessening the impact of early-season losses. Ohio State's defeat to Texas, for instance, is unlikely to significantly jeopardize its postseason prospects, as the team currently holds a high national ranking.
Broader changes within the sport, such as conference realignment and the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) era, have also been cited by some long-time fans as potential detriments to the sport's traditional appeal and connection with players. However, quantifying the exact impact of these factors on television viewership remains challenging.
As the season progresses, the upcoming matchup between No. 4 Ohio State and No. 14 Iowa on CBS will face increased competition from the ongoing MLB postseason, which could further influence ratings.