Rose Bowl Game Least Viewed in History

The Rose Bowl scored its lowest TV rating ever, but there is another way to look at that.

The game was the most-watched non-playoff game.

According to ESPN only 10.2 million people watched the game between Penn State and Utah on Monday. 

According to one published report, that number is more than 3 million less than the 2016 Stanford-Iowa matchup, the previous record low viewership.

Last year’s game between Ohio State and Utah pulled in 16.6 million viewers.

Some attributed the low ratings to the game being played on Jan. 2 instead of Sunday, which would have put the game against NFL matchups. 

Cable TV audiences have been declining for several years and this year’s game was not a CFP bowl game. 

According to a statement by the College Football Playoff, the Rose Bowl will host CFP quarterfinal games in 2024 and 2025.

The Tournament of Roses which organizes the game came to an agreement after the CFP issued an ultimatum to the tournament. Officials wanted to keep traditional start times and game dates.

The CFP announced that for the 2024 and 2025 seasons, the four quarterfinal games and two playoff semifinal games will be played in bowl games on a rotating basis.