The 2026 college football season was supposed to be a ratings bonanza, but the numbers tell a different story. Through the first four weeks, viewership has taken a significant hit compared to the same stretch in 2025.
According to data from Nielsen, FBS game broadcasts are averaging just 1.7 million viewers across all Nielsen-rated networks—an 11% drop from the opening month of last season. That's despite a slate that included marquee matchups like Ohio State-Texas and Lane Kiffin's return to Oxford.
The only game to truly break through was Texas' dramatic 24-23 comeback win over Ohio State, which pulled in 14 million viewers on ABC. Beyond that, just one other contest—LSU at Ole Miss—managed to crack the 10-million mark.
Last year, four games in Week 1 alone topped 10 million viewers, including a record-setting 16.6 million on FOX for the Texas-Ohio State clash in Columbus, which featured Arch Manning's biggest start to date. In total, 11 regular-season games in 2025 reached that milestone.
So far this season, the top 10 most-watched games have been dominated by ESPN/ABC primetime broadcasts, while FOX's "Big Noon" slate has yet to generate the same buzz it did a year ago.
Why the dip? Some analysts point to the political climate—fall sports ratings often take a hit in election years as viewers shift their attention to news coverage. Others suggest that the early-season matchups simply haven't carried the same weight as last year's blockbusters.
Still, there's hope on the horizon. As conference play heats up and playoff implications become clearer, viewership typically climbs. The next few months should bring bigger audiences, especially with rivalry games and championship races on the line.
For now, though, the networks are left wondering if 2026 can match the heights of 2025. The early returns suggest it's going to be an uphill battle.
Related: NFL ratings slip just 4% through two weeks, still third-best ever.
