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The 11 College Football Playoff games averaged 15.6 million viewers according to Nielsen, as audiences increased during each round. According to ESPN, viewers consumed nearly 36 billion minutes of live coverage, a 63% increase over last year's seven-game slate of the CFP title game and New Year's six bowl games. The four first round games averaged 10.6 million viewers with the quarterfinals at 16.9 million. The semifinals averaged 19.2 million while Ohio State's 34-23 victory over Notre Dame in Monday night's national championship game drew 22.1 million. There are some headwinds that ESPN will deal with under the current format. The semifinal audience decreased 17% from last year and the title game was down 12% from 2024.
