The Alabama-Ohio State College Football Playoff finale Monday averaged 18.7 million viewers across the ESPN networks, making it the least-watched title game since 2005.
The ratings declined 27 percent from LSU-Clemson (25.6 million) last year and 26 percent from Clemson-Alabama in 2019 (25.3 million), according to Sports Media Watch. The Crimson Tide won 52-24.
The previous low (21.4 million) for a national title game was USC-Oklahoma at the Orange Bowl in 2005, a blowout win by the Trojans, 55-19.
The Bama-OSU finale drew fewer viewers than the two semifinal games, the first time that’s occurred in CFP/Bowl Championship Series history. Ohio State-Clemson garnered 19.2 million viewers and Alabama-Notre Dame drew 18.9 million on New Year’s Day.
