Clemson’s blowout victory over Alabama in the College Football Playoff title game on Monday evening proved a ratings disappointment.
The game at Levi’s Stadium drew a 14.6 overnight rating across ESPN platforms, making it the lowest-rated title game in the five-year-old format.
This was down to a sense of fatigue – it was the fourth consecutive year that the teams met in the post-season – and also due to viewers turning off when it became clear Clemson were going to win.
According to an ESPN press release, overnight ratings peaked at 16.2 in the first half and were on a par with the 2017 title game between the two teams through three quarters.
The game had a final attendance figure of 74,814 but it was not an official sell-out at the 75,000-seat venue. Around 1,000 seats, though sold, remained empty.