The CW ratings for WSU and OSU, blackouts and streamers, Week 2 viewing options and more

Welcome to a new feature on the Hotline—a weekly column dedicated to the college football media landscape, where we’ll cover the latest news, controversies, ratings, and highlight the top matchups of the week.

Pac-12 Ratings Update
This season, the performance of Washington State and Oregon State on the field is only part of the equation; their TV ratings are crucial as well. These ratings are just as important as wins and losses in their bid for relevance as a two-team conference.

In Week 1, their audience numbers were decent but not exceptional. Washington State’s game against Portland State attracted 223,000 viewers at noon on The CW, while Oregon State’s win over Idaho State drew 381,000 viewers at 3:30 p.m., according to SportsTVRatings.

“Considering the matchups—and especially the competition OSU faced—it’s a solid start for The CW’s first week,” said Bob Thompson, former president of Fox Sports.

Comparing these numbers year-over-year is challenging, as The CW is new to college football and West Coast teams. For context, Oregon State’s viewership this season is comparable to the 418,000 viewers for their win over San Diego State last season on FS1.

Additionally, comparing the Cougars’ and Beavers’ ratings on The CW to those on the now-defunct Pac-12 Networks is difficult since those figures weren’t measured by Nielsen. The Hotline will keep a close eye on WSU and OSU’s ratings throughout the season.

Exposure and Blackout Issues
There are two significant carriage disputes potentially leading to blackouts this weekend: Disney-owned games on DirecTV and Big Ten Network (BTN) games on Comcast on the West Coast. Many games are also exclusively available via streaming services.

Here’s a breakdown for former and current Pac-12 schools:

• Streaming Only: Arizona (ESPN+), Stanford (ESPN+), Oregon (Peacock)
• Blackouts on DirecTV: Arizona State (ESPN), Cal (ESPN2)
• Blackouts on Comcast: USC (BTN), Washington (BTN)

However, four teams will be accessible on broadcast or cable networks without issues: Colorado (NBC), Oregon State (CBS Sports Network), Utah (Fox), and Washington State (Fox).

Recent comments from DirecTV’s CFO suggest a resolution to the dispute with Disney may take longer than expected. Ray Carpenter noted, “We’re not playing a short-term game. We need something sustainable for our video customers.”

We’ll see if this stance holds until the kickoff of Monday Night Football on ESPN.

Viewer’s Guide for Week 2
After a spotlight on the SEC’s new deal with ESPN and ABC in the opening week, this week’s focus shifts to the Big Ten with its matchups on Fox (9 a.m.), CBS (12:30 p.m.), and NBC (4:30 p.m.). Each network will showcase an intriguing non-conference game.

Matchups (All times Pacific):

1. Texas at Michigan (9 a.m. on Fox): Highly anticipated non-conference clash featuring two playoff teams from last season.
2. Iowa State at Iowa (12:30 p.m. on CBS): After Iowa’s offensive performance last week, it may take 21 points to secure a win.
3. Colorado at Nebraska (4:30 p.m. on NBC): Both second-year coaches (Deion Sanders and Matt Rhule) seek momentum. Will Nebraska’s rookie quarterback, Dylan Raiola, rise to the occasion against Shedeur Sanders?
4. Tennessee at N.C. State (4:30 p.m. on ABC): The ACC has endured a rough start; the Wolf Pack aim to regain some relevance.
5. Boise State at Oregon (7 p.m. on Peacock): Are the Ducks as good as expected or as disappointing as they seemed last week? Watch for Boise State’s standout tailback, Ashton Jeanty.

Ratings Recap and Crew News

• Colorado’s opener against North Dakota State averaged 4.8 million viewers—an impressive figure for a game against an FCS opponent—making it ESPN’s highest-rated Thursday opener in seven years.
• USC’s win over LSU attracted 9.2 million viewers, slightly down from last season’s marquee matchup, yet still a strong showing that underscores the potential of Labor Day weekend for college football broadcasts.
• Former Texas quarterback Colt McCoy will debut as an NBC analyst during the Colorado-Nebraska game, likely irritating both fan bases.
• The Fox crew for Utah-Baylor includes Jason Benetti (play-by-play), Brock Huard (analyst), and Allison Williams (sideline), recognized as one of the best teams in the business.
• Kickoff times for Week 4 will be announced on Monday.