The Dec. 30 contest posted a 3.1 US HH rating on ESPN
NASHVILLE, Tenn., (Jan. 19, 2017) – Representatives from the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl announced today that this year’s game between Nebraska and Tennessee, played on December 30, 2016 at 2:30 p.m. CST, delivered a 3.1 US HH rating on ESPN and an average of over five million viewers (P2+). In addition, the Bowl saw double digit streaming growth on WatchESPN compared to 2015, with an average minute audience of 125K viewers (+63% vs last year’s game) and 418K total unique viewers (+14% vs last year’s game).
Prior to the 2014 and 2015 games, the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl had never reached over five million viewers in back-to-back years and has now accomplished that feat in three consecutive years. The Bowl’s three-year total viewership is 15,764,184.
In addition, with a capacity crowd of 68,496, this year’s Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl was the fourth highest attended bowl game in the nation and the highest attended bowl game outside of the New Year’s Six bowls. The Bowl celebrated its millionth fan at this year’s game, with all-time attendance now standing at 1,054,498. In its 19 year history, the Bowl has averaged over 55,000 fans per year.
The 19th installment of the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl featured two storied programs, Nebraska and Tennessee, which had not met on the field since the 2000 Fiesta Bowl. The two teams combined for 17 regular season wins in 2016 – the most ever combined wins by the two participating programs in the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl. Nebraska was making its first-ever trip to Nashville and the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl, with Tennessee making its second appearance in the game. It also marked the first time Nashville hosted a Big Ten team since 2005.
While Nebraska was within a touchdown three separate times in the game, Tennessee led the entire contest. After a scoreless first quarter, the teams combined for a total of 62 points, with Tennessee earning the victory 38-24. Both teams finished the season 9-4.
The 2017 Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl will mark the game’s 20th anniversary.
About the Bowl:
The Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl (501(c)(3) non-profit organization) is an annual postseason collegiate Bowl featuring the Atlantic Coast or Big Ten and Southeastern Conferences. Since its inception, the Bowl has produced nearly $269 million in direct economic impact. Televised nationally to millions of viewers and listeners on ESPN and ESPN Radio, the Bowl is Nashville’s Holiday Tradition. For more information, call the Bowl office at 615.743.3130 or visit the Bowl online at MusicCityBowl.com.