The trade among four networks that brought LSU-Alabama into primetime last night paid off big for CBS. After ESPN, Versus, CBS Sports Network and CBS all made concessions to get the #1 vs. #2 matchup into Saturday night, the hype and a close game that went into overtime gave CBS a huge win in the primetime ratings. Not only did CBS win the night handily, no other network came close to equaling the overnight ratings. While LSU-Alabama was a 9-6 game in favor of the Tigers, the ESPN on ABC game between Kansas State-Oklahoma State was an offensive juggernaut and a better game, but could not draw even three million viewers.
Robert Seidman at TVbytheNumbers says LSU-Alabama drew an average of 18.03 million viewers and drew a big rating in the 18-49 demographic.
We should get a press release from CBS either today or tomorrow. The numbers are huge and certainly worth the trade by CBS to bring the game from a late afternoon timeslot into primetime.
UPDATE, 11/7/11, 8:10 a.m.: USA Today’s Mike McCarthy writes that LSU-Alabama
received an 11.9 overnight rating.
