ESPN's Rose & Fiesta Bowl Coverage Sees Ratings Increase
By: Caryn Robbins Jan. 02, 2014
Based on Nielsen's overnight ratings, ESPN's two BCS Bowls on New Year's Day - the Rose Bowl Game presented by VIZIO and the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl - saw an 11 percent increase in combined average audience with an 8.9 rating. Last year's two BCS games on January 1 averaged an 8.0 overnight rating (Rose Bowl, Orange Bowl).
The Rose Bowl Game's 11.2 rating for Michigan State's 24-20 victory over Stanford was 17 percent higher than the 9.6 a year ago (Stanford 20, Wisconsin 14). Detroit, the top-rated market, averaged a 27.9 metered market rating, the highest-rated bowl game ever on the ESPN networks in the market (records go back to 2000). Los Angeles averaged a 13.2, the second-highest bowl game ever on the ESPN networks in the market (The highest was the 2011 BCS Championship in 2011, 14.6 for the 22-19 Auburn victory over Oregon). The Fiesta Bowl garnered a 7.1 overnight rating for Central Florida upending Baylor 52-42, up nine percent from the 2013 Orange Bowl, which aired in the corresponding day/time slot (6.5, Florida State defeating Northern Illinois 31-10). Orlando led all markets with a 17.4, the highest bowl overnight rating ever for an ESPN network in the market. Chick-Fil-A Bowl Tops All Non-BCS Games in ESPN History ESPN's telecast of the Chick-Fil-A Bowl from Atlanta, Tuesday, Dec. 31, earned a 5.3 overnight rating, the best ever for any ESPN bowl game telecast outside the BCS. The exciting game saw Texas A&M come from behind to edge Duke 52-48 behind the heroics of 2012 Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel - four touchdown passes and one running.Videos