But, but, but, ESPN and Finebaum and Sheridan Said It Was the MOST Hyped!

[Townhallsavoy]

http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/01/alabama-lsu_produces_lowest_tv.html

NEW ORLEANS -- Alabama loved a rematch. Not so much of the rest of the country.

It turns out most television viewers didn't want to see Alabama-LSU again, at least not an uncompetitive rematch.

Overnight ratings for Alabama's 21-0 victory over LSU were the lowest for a national championship in the 14-year history of the BCS. The All-SEC affair, the first championship pairing teams from the same conference, drew a 13.8 overnight rating on ESPN. The previous record low was a 14.3 for Miami-Nebraska at the 2002 Rose Bowl.

To put last night's rating in perspective, Alabama-LSU on Nov. 5 drew an 11.5 on CBS. Last night's game was down 14 percent from Auburn's three-point victory over Oregon last year. It was down 24 percent from Alabama's last national championship when the Crimson Tide defeated Texas in 2010.


Alabama-LSU capped a disappointing ratings year for the BCS on ESPN. Even before Monday night, the BCS' 7.3 average rating was down 10 percent from the 2010 season and 21 percent from 2009, when the games aired on Fox.

The Rose, Orange, Sugar and BCS Championship all took ratings hits this season. West Virginia's 70-33 rout of Clemson at the Orange Bowl drew just a 4.5 rating, making it the lowest-rated game in BCS history.

Interestingly, the three lowest overnight ratings for the BCS Championship Game occurred in a year when there was some controversy over the participating teams. The previous low (14.3), in 2002, featured Nebraska, which didn't win its conference. LSU's win over Oklahoma in 2004 featured a Sooners team that didn't win its conference.

Last night, Alabama became the first school since Minnesota in 1936 to win a national title without winning its conference. Alabama fans are understandably rejoicing.

Much of the rest of the country apparently tuned out.

E-mail: jsolomon@bhamnews.com

Twitter: twitter.com/jonsol

[Townhallsavoy]

I think I know why ESPN is losing ratings -

They're attempting to control what happens on the field and the effects off the field. 

It was blatantly obvious that ESPN wanted Alabama vs. LSU in the BCSCG in New Orleans. 

They patted themselves on the back with the pregame shows trying to depict New Orleans as a hotbed of college football hype.  There were numerous hyperbolic comments such as Kirk's "I've never seen a BCS game this hyped with so many fans excited to just be in the area." 

They thought that the Saban vs. Miles story would hold strong.  That people still connected Saban to LSU and wanted to see the fans react to their former coach.  They thought that people wanted to see these two teams go at it again.

They assured everyone that Oklahoma State would have had no shot. 

And what did they get for it?  Luckily, exactly what they deserved. 

The least watched BCSCG of all time.  No one cared except Alabama and LSU fans and the SEC fans that just love football.  The rest of the nation preferred to do something else. 

If ESPN is really concerned about alluring college football fans to viewing their network, they would make it equal.  Fair and square.  Discuss all talking points and allow for relevant, poignant discussion about the issues at hand. 

But I can't say I feel sorry for them.  After the bullshit from 2004, I hope ESPN rots in hell.

[JR4AU]

From reading other boards that are not SEC football boards, or even football centric, I knew the rest of the country could give a shit. 

[The Prowler]

Last night, Alabama became the first school since Minnesota in 1936 to win a national title without winning its conference. Alabama fans are understandably rejoicing.

I guess that should shut up the we won a Nashinul Shampiunship in '41 bullshit.

[JR4AU]

I guess that should shut up the we won a Nashinul Shampiunship in '41 bullshit.

Bammer math: 5 + 3 = 14

[JR4AU]

Ha!  Finebaum doesn't understand why the Birmingham ratings for last night's game were lower than last year's Auburn BCS game. 

[Townhallsavoy]

Give him a minute.  He'll claim that most Alabama fans were in New Orleans watching it in bars. 

Or that Alabama fans were having big parties in Birmingham with lots of people only watching one TV while last year, every single Auburn fan watched it on his or her own TV because they don't have any friends to watch it with. 

Next week he'll have a psychologist on to discuss how depressed Auburn people are.

[JR4AU]

Give him a minute.  He'll claim that most Alabama fans were in New Orleans watching it in bars. 

Or that Alabama fans were having big parties in Birmingham with lots of people only watching one TV while last year, every single Auburn fan watched it on his or her own TV because they don't have any friends to watch it with. 

Next week he'll have a psychologist on to discuss how depressed Auburn people are.

You, my friend, get this shit!