Dawgs on Top. Georgia dominated college football viewership in 2024, averaging 8.6 million viewers per game—outpacing Ohio State by 1.8 million. Well, at least we won something… Let’s take a quick look back at Georgia’s TV ratings from 2024 and set our sights on 2025.
Between the Hedges: Can Georgia’s TV Ratings Stay #1?
A Perfect 10 in 2024
Georgia had 10 appearances in the top 50 games of the 2024 season, the best in the nation. Alabama (8), Texas (7), LSU, and Texas A&M (5) were the other SEC representatives in the top six. Ohio State was the lone Big Ten representative in the big kids group with six appearances. The 2024 Georiga schedule shows nine of the 10 games were in the Top 25. What was the secret to success? The SEC’s move to ABC surely didn’t hurt. We’ll get to that more in a second, but first, let’s look closer at the list.
- 1. Dec. 7 Georgia vs. Texas (SEC Championship): 16.6 million (ABC)
- 2. Oct. 19, Georgia @ Texas: 13.19 million (ABC)
- 4. Sep. 28, Georgia @ Alabama: 11.99 million (ABC)
- 7. Nov. 16, Tennessee @ Georgia: 9.96 million (ABC)
- 14. Nov. 29, Georgia Tech @ Georgia: 8.47 million (ABC)
- 18. Aug. 31 Clemson vs. Georgia: Aflac Kickoff 7.58 million (ABC)
- 20. Nov. 9, Georgia @ Ole Miss: 7.08 million (ABC)
- 22. Georgia vs. Florida: World Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party, 6.97 million (ABC)
- 24. Sep. 14, Georgia @ Kentucky: 6.6 million (ABC)
- 42. Oct. 5, Auburn @ Georgia: 4.93 million (ABC)
Disney Magic Just Means More
Do you believe in magic? You just might after seeing these numbers. 2024 marked the first year of the SEC’s shift to ABC’s family of networks, bringing SEC games to viewers in three, four, or five viewing windows from noon to night. Sure, we are still missing the SEC theme song; it just doesn’t hit the same for Minnesota and Iowa, not that we or anyone else is watching. The new partnership has benefited both ABC and the SEC.
A year into the change, the results speak for themselves: ABC’s investment in the SEC has paid off, dominating the competition. With SEC games airing throughout the day, ABC accounted for over two-thirds of the most-watched games in 2024. The network led with 34 appearances, far outpacing Fox (7), CBS (4), ESPN (3), and NBC (2). What a difference a year makes. In 2023, the SEC barely edged out the Big Ten, 37-35, in total appearances in the top 50 games. Fast forward to 2024, and getting fully behind ABC has proven to be a game-changer for the SEC. As the conference looks to expand from eight to nine conference games possibly. These ratings will prove to be a valuable bargaining chip for Greg Sankey.
A Playoff Dip
Georgia played only one game in the expanded College Football Playoff, and its ratings fell short of its regular-season numbers. The quarterfinal round averaged 16.9 million viewers, but the Bulldogs’ numbers just didn’t add up. Georgia’s loss to Notre Dame in the delayed Sugar Bowl drew 15.8 million, making it the third most-watched of the four matchups. Texas’ Peach Bowl win over Arizona State performed better, averaging 17.3 million viewers. Ohio State’s Rose Bowl victory over Oregon topped the rankings with an average of 21.1 million viewers.
Can Georgia’s TV Ratings Stay #1 in 2025?
Ten games were quite impressive for 2024. Georgia will find it challenging to match that number in 2025. While the Clean Old Fashioned Hate with Georgia Tech will likely draw plenty of eyeballs, the Dawgs non-conference schedule is largely forgettable. Marshall, Austin Peay, and Charlotte will likely be relegated to the 12:45 or 2:45 SEC Network or SECN+ slates.
Despite the weaker non-conference slate, Georgia will have plenty of opportunity to garner the nation’s eyeballs in 2025. Here’s a quick look at Georgia’s SEC matchups and their viewership potential—minus Kentucky and Mississippi State.
- Sept. 13, @Tennessee: The Vol Navy will sail the high seas to welcome the Dawgs. Both teams will likely be ranked in the Top 15. This sets up well for an SEC on ABC Saturday night.
- Sept. 27, Alabama: We may have a blackout at Sanford Stadium to welcome the Tide. Let’s hope the Dawgs avoid the black uniforms. Gameday and another SEC on ABC Saturday night.
- Oct. 11, @Auburn: What will Auburn be in 2025? I don’t even think Hugh Freeze knows. Still, this one has 3:30 or a primetime matchup on The Plains.
- Oct. 18, Ole Miss: The Lane train comes back to Athens. Georgia will have blood on their month. Gameday and a night game to boot. This one should be fun.
- Nov. 1, Florida: Why is this in Jacksonville? The number jumps in The Swamp or Between the Hedges instead of being a stale NFL stadium.
- Nov. 15, Texas: Arch and the likely #1 Horns. LFG!
- Nov. 28, Georgia Tech: The Rambling Wreck has a chance to make some noise in the ACC. This game moves to Mercedes Benz for 2025…we’ll miss Bobby Dodd.
- Dec. 6, SEC Championship: Always the best show in town, can the Dawgs get here?
Main Photo: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
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