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MW vs PAC viewership chart

RebelinWA

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Jan 24, 2015
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In one of the other threads someone posted a medium article that had an average viewership per school. In my opinion that data was pretty sloppily aggregated. So I took it upon myself using data that is public information that in no way violates my existing NDAs; I created a list on average viewership for all of the MW and PAC schools. This data does not include any unknown numbers, and is simply the available viewership per game of a school divided by the number of games that had data.

Going with our current rivalry theme, the good guys are marked in red, while the pac is marked blue.



Boise (12-2)2.4m, 1m W/O CFP (9 games)
CSU (8-5)1.1m, 634k W/O CU (5 games)
UNLV (11-3)1.05m (7 games)
OSU (5-7)913k (8 games)
FSU (6-7)694k (8 games)
Hawaii (5-7)694k (2 games)
WSU (8-5)691k (11 games)
UTEP (3-9)602k (3 games)
reno (3-10)471k (5 games)
SDSU (3-9)454k (4 games)
SJSU (7-6)387k (7 games)
New Mexico (5-7)358k (7 games)
AFA (5-7)343k (5 games)
USU (4-8)308k (4 games)
Wyoming (3-9)245k (3 games)

For fun, here is Memphis and Tulane
Memphis (6-2)424k (10 games)
Tulane (9-5)695k (11 games)


By comparison, OSU and WSU's viewership has more than halved since 2023. (2.3m over 9 games for OSU, and 2.15 over 6 for games WSU). I predict OSU and WSU numbers will DECREASE further in 2025.

Notes:
1. Included are bowl game numbers and conference championships when available for all teams.

2. I did not differentiate between linear and streaming, though I do have that data.

3. Its interesting to note that without Boise's CFP data or CSU playing CU, UNLV would have been at the top of the list.

4. There is only limited publicly available CBS data (3 games total)

5. If you really want to see the separation between the P4 and G6, the Texas V Georgia averages for both of their games against each other for this season averaged higher than Boise vs Penn state (14.9m vs 13.8m)

6. Hawaii's numbers are a bit of a black box since Spectrum doesn't publish numbers.

Sources are a mix of https://www.sportsmediawatch.com/college-football-tv-ratings/ (which is sourced from Nielsens) and articles posted by included schools.
 
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Its a bit correlative. OSU's value was higher because of who they were playing. It'll drop based on the averages of the other schools going to the Pac. Honestly, it'll be the same for us too.

I think it's true of all G5.

Give them a good P4 opponent, TV numbers are good.

G5 vs G5 not in a championship game numbers come way down.

UNLV vs Kansas solid numbers.

UNLV vs UNM, not so much.

CSU vs CU great numbers.

CSU vs USU literally nobody outside of Logan and Ft Collins gives a damn.
 
TY for putting this info together RebelinWA. I’m wondering, with UNLV being at the top when removing BSU’s CFP game, is there any other G5 school with higher numbers than UNLV? (Thinking about UNLV being at the top of the P4 selection list.)
 
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I believe Mullen alone as the coach is enough to give a nice boost to the viewership for UNLV. My expectation is that UNLV will easily win the viewership numbers next season, and I wouldn't put it out of line that UNLV has a chance to win the attendance numbers also. As a side note regarding attendance, UNLV had the second highest year over year percentage increase only a fraction of a percent beyind SMU at over 36%!
 
I believe Mullen alone as the coach is enough to give a nice boost to the viewership for UNLV. My expectation is that UNLV will easily win the viewership numbers next season, and I wouldn't put it out of line that UNLV has a chance to win the attendance numbers also. As a side note regarding attendance, UNLV had the second highest year over year percentage increase only a fraction of a percent beyind SMU at over 36%!
I'm not sure how we count attendance. Is it butts in the seat or is it tickets sold? We know suds counts tickets sold. I don't think they filled 30% of the butts in the seats this season but they have sold a lot of tickets where it seems like 80%.
 
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I'm not sure how we count attendance. Is it butts in the seat or is it tickets sold? We know suds counts tickets sold. I don't think they filled 30% of the butts in the seats this season but they have sold a lot of tickets where it seems like 80%.
I believe every school uses "tickets sold", which includes tickets that are "for the students".

SchoolConference2024 averages2023 average
Fresno StatePac 40,60039,969
Boise StatePac 37,23535,867
Oregon StatePac 35,79936,969
Colorado StatePac 33,08226,509
UNLVMountain West32,20323,661
South FloridaAAC31,42437,944
Air ForceMountain West26,22629,616
San Diego StatePac 24,77024,832
MemphisAAC24,55229,782
Washington StatePac 22,41328,023
WyomingMountain West21,93723,163
ToledoMAC21,51919,675
UTEPC-USA19,39318,160
renoMountain West17,41916,998
Utah StatePac 16,99219,282
San Jose StateMountain West16,05816,804
New MexicoMountain West16,00115,982
HawaiiMountain West12,96311,251
TulaneAAC23,98025,021
Texas StateSun Belt23,61921,184
UTSAAAC21,05928,876
Northern IllinoisMAC12,1629,456
UC DavisBig Sky12,10811,141

New Mexico State would be in-between New Mexico and Hawaii at 14,350
 
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The two biggest factors for G4 schools in viewership is opponent and which channel the game airs on.
I would add that date and time factor in as well. Evening games on the west coast definitely lose a lot of east coast views. It gets very bad if its West Coast late, and not on the weekend.
 
TY for putting this info together RebelinWA. I’m wondering, with UNLV being at the top when removing BSU’s CFP game, is there any other G5 school with higher numbers than UNLV? (Thinking about UNLV being at the top of the P4 selection list.)
I haven't factored all of the G5 schools, but shooting from the hip, I know that USF in the AAC averaged 1.19 across the 6 games they had on air. A lot of that average comes from facing #4 Alabama on ESPN in week 2.
 
NIU's stadium holds 23, 595 so they are a little over 50% capacity for games.
NIU Stadium seating capacity

Washington State's capacity is 35,117. Almost 64% capacity.
Washington State's Stadium

Memphis holds 58,325. Around 42% capacity.
Memphis' Stadium

Allegiant holds 65,000 for NFL games according to Wikipedia. I couldn't find numbers for UNLV games (although last year's USC vs LSU game brought in 63,969, so if we are an attraction, we can be at 65,000 max as well). Last season, we were just short of 50%.
Allegiant Stadium
 
NIU's stadium holds 23, 595 so they are a little over 50% capacity for games.
NIU Stadium seating capacity

Washington State's capacity is 35,117. Almost 64% capacity.
Washington State's Stadium

Memphis holds 58,325. Around 42% capacity.
Memphis' Stadium

Allegiant holds 65,000 for NFL games according to Wikipedia. I couldn't find numbers for UNLV games (although last year's USC vs LSU game brought in 63,969, so if we are an attraction, we can be at 65,000 max as well). Last season, we were just short of 50%.
Allegiant Stadium
It has to be quite a bit less ( a few thousand?) than the NFL 65,000 because for UNLV games the moveable section in the South Endzone is removed. They remove it to make the moveable grass section faster to bring in.
 
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It has to be quite a bit less ( a few thousand?) than the NFL 65,000 because for UNLV games the moveable section in the South Endzone is removed. They remove it to make the moveable grass section faster to bring in.
I'm just comparing us to the USC vs LSU games.
Maybe 5,000 less is more accurate??? I don't know.

So we are above 50%. Far from USC and LSU, obviously.
 
It has to be quite a bit less ( a few thousand?) than the NFL 65,000 because for UNLV games the moveable section in the South Endzone is removed. They remove it to make the moveable grass section faster to bring in.
They can and would put it back in if needed for games. They did put it back in for at least one of the UNLV games.
 
They can and would put it back in if needed for games. They did put it back in for at least one of the UNLV games.
My understanding is they can put it back if the Raiders are not playing SUN ( when we play a Thurs nite game) but if the Raiders are playing on the same weekend they cannot put it back. I believe it's contractual.
 
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Just wanted to point out that in addition to their streaming viewership halving, WSU also dropped in attendance. I can't think of a program that is more in freefall. @Loyal Coug1 Not trying to be mean here, I know you're one of the more realistic Pac fans. But I would be extremely worried. I'm not sure how to save your program without shutting down football.

SchoolConference2024 averages2023 averageyear to year %5 year average5 year to year %capacity
Washington StatePac 22,41328,023-20.02%27,211-17.63%69.50%
 
Just wanted to point out that in addition to their streaming viewership halving, WSU also dropped in attendance. I can't think of a program that is more in freefall. @Loyal Coug1 Not trying to be mean here, I know you're one of the more realistic Pac fans. But I would be extremely worried. I'm not sure how to save your program without shutting down football.

SchoolConference2024 averages2023 averageyear to year %5 year average5 year to year %capacity
Washington StatePac22,41328,023-20.02%27,211-17.63%69.50%
That made me laugh. "Not trying to be mean here but, not sure how to save your program without shutting down football".
 
My understanding is they can put it back if the Raiders are not playing SUN ( when we play a Thurs nite game) but if the Raiders are playing on the same weekend they cannot put it back. I believe it's contractual.
The retractable field takes approximately 65 minutes to move in or out of Allegiant Stadium. It also takes minimal time to move the seats back into place. I have found nothing that says there is any contractual agreement that doesn't allow for the bottom section to be closed in for seating. Everything I could find says this was a UNLV decision to save money. If ticket sales continue to increase, and they need those additional seats, I am sure they can add them in, but then will need to cover the additional labor cost.
 
That made me laugh. "Not trying to be mean here but, not sure how to save your program without shutting down football".

Oregon State and WSU will/should be able to be near top of G6 for a bit. But unless there is massive increase in NIL commitment, they will fall back to the median sooner rather than later.

Large debts to pay off for both schools, especially WSU.

Both are going to be functioning on about a third of what they were.

OSU is in better shape than WSU.

And while the Mullen hire doesn't guarantee success was there ever a time you could imagine UNLV paying nearly double what two 'Power' schools were paying their head coaches.

Buried in their hubris of thinking that they could create some pseudo Power conference is the realization they will be slumming it with the rest of the G6 soon enough.
 
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Oregon State and WSU will/should be able to be near top of G6 for a bit. But unless there is massive increase in NIL commitment, they will fall back to the median sooner rather than later.

Large debts to pay off for both schools, especially WSU.

Both are going to be functioning on about a third of what they were.

OSU is in better shape than WSU.

And while the Mullen hire doesn't guarantee success was there ever a time you could imagine UNLV paying nearly double what two 'Power' schools were paying their head coaches.

Buried in their hubris of thinking that they could create some pseudo Power conference is the realization they will be slumming it with the rest of the G6 soon enough.

Mullen would be 58th in the country if we had him last year. Only Power schools ahead of him, and ahead of a few power schools.
The salary definitely drops significantly and quickly. Pretty incrementable until about 3 mil per year, then it quickly drops to 2.5 mil after that.
AS for WAZZU's debt, I did see that the school moved about 40 mil of dept from other departments of the school to the athletic budget. Not sure why they did this? Maybe it was ahead of old PAC media negotiations and they though they were going to get significantly more?
I never believed that THEY believed they were going to be anything other than another G5 conference. Sure they were trying to sell the PAC name hard, and that is what they should have done. But I don't believe they thought they could retain AQ status.
 
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Mullen would be 58th in the country if we had him last year. Only Power schools ahead of him, and ahead of a few power schools.
The salary definitely drops significantly and quickly. Pretty incrementable until about 3 mil per year, then it quickly drops to 2.5 mil after that.
AS for WAZZU's debt, I did see that the school moved about 40 mil of dept from other departments of the school to the athletic budget. Not sure why they did this? Maybe it was ahead of old PAC media negotiations and they though they were going to get significantly more?
I never believed that THEY believed they were going to be anything other than another G5 conference. Sure they were trying to sell the PAC name hard, and that is what they should have done. But I don't believe they thought they could retain AQ status.

Possible but somebody floated 12-18 million hard early on. Which would more than double any current 'Group of' conference.

I think members of their leadership thought it was attainable and they have heard otherwise since.

There are still people calling shots who were in the room when the PAC turned down 30 million from ESPN.
 
Just wanted to point out that in addition to their streaming viewership halving, WSU also dropped in attendance. I can't think of a program that is more in freefall. @Loyal Coug1 Not trying to be mean here, I know you're one of the more realistic Pac fans. But I would be extremely worried. I'm not sure how to save your program without shutting down football.

SchoolConference2024 averages2023 averageyear to year %5 year average5 year to year %capacity
Washington StatePac22,41328,023-20.02%27,211-17.63%69.50%
Realistically, they need a p4 invite, or they will just keep sliding down the hole.
Possible but somebody floated 12-18 million hard early on. Which would more than double any current 'Group of' conference.

I think members of their leadership thought it was attainable and they have heard otherwise since.

There are still people calling shots who were in the room when the PAC turned down 30 million from ESPN.
You all suck.
That said, in order:
Rebel - shut down FB? Yeah WSU is now G6. We aren't any worse off then 60-some other teams. And yes our attendance tanked in 2024. Yeah well compare home games against Wisconsin, AZ, Colorado, etc. (2023) to 2024 home games with SJSU, Hawaii and Wyoming (in late November).

Bull - yes your sentiment is not lost on me at all.... :) Now add 5 traitors to replace our traitors.
 
You all suck.
That said, in order:
Rebel - shut down FB? Yeah WSU is now G6. We aren't any worse off then 60-some other teams. And yes our attendance tanked in 2024. Yeah well compare home games against Wisconsin, AZ, Colorado, etc. (2023) to 2024 home games with SJSU, Hawaii and Wyoming (in late November).

Bull - yes your sentiment is not lost on me at all.... :) Now add 5 traitors to replace our traitors.

The whole thing stinks top to bottom.

The PAC may end up in a great place. (In relative terms to the rest of the G5).

But....

If the court cases go in favor of the MWC or the media deal comes in around 10 million dollars (or both).

Think about the shear costs being accrued by the PAC right now.

Legal fees..It has to be approaching millions right now. Not just for the lawsuits but just to ratify contracts within the PAC.

The costs to hire Navigate and Octagon has to be in the millions.

The rebranding and advertising will be in the millions.

It will take years to recoup the money being spent.

For what? The 'prestige' of being the top G6 conference? Sure strength of schedule will help but ultimately PAC will be like every other G6 hoping the top teams in other conferences lose. Be a pretty bitter pill to swallow when Louisiana Monroe or Toledo or some crap goes 11-1 and the PAC cannibalize' itself and 10-2 Boise gets left out of the CFP.

Great job I guess.
 
You all suck.
That said, in order:
Rebel - shut down FB? Yeah WSU is now G6. We aren't any worse off then 60-some other teams. And yes our attendance tanked in 2024. Yeah well compare home games against Wisconsin, AZ, Colorado, etc. (2023) to 2024 home games with SJSU, Hawaii and Wyoming (in late November).

Bull - yes your sentiment is not lost on me at all.... :) Now add 5 traitors to replace our traitors.
I believe only SDSU has more athletic debt. So at least you have that going for you. I've met some great WSU fans. Though I am not a fan of the Pac in its current footprint, I have nothing against WSU at all. Its tough out there. You all have had the deck stacked against you for the whole time you've been in the Pac, yet WSU still found a way to succeed.

Just like UNLV, there are some diehard fans out there that make the commute work, that suffer through bad years; yet find ways to still tailgate. Here in Vegas, we survived the decades of football mediocrity through basketball, and alcohol. It was tough if you didn't love basketball. This is a bit different though. Hopefully your new coach can sustain the success.
 
The whole thing stinks top to bottom.

The PAC may end up in a great place. (In relative terms to the rest of the G5).

But....

If the court cases go in favor of the MWC or the media deal comes in around 10 million dollars (or both).

Think about the shear costs being accrued by the PAC right now.

Legal fees..It has to be approaching millions right now. Not just for the lawsuits but just to ratify contracts within the PAC.

The costs to hire Navigate and Octagon has to be in the millions.

The rebranding and advertising will be in the millions.

It will take years to recoup the money being spent.

For what? The 'prestige' of being the top G6 conference? Sure strength of schedule will help but ultimately PAC will be like every other G6 hoping the top teams in other conferences lose. Be a pretty bitter pill to swallow when Louisiana Monroe or Toledo or some crap goes 11-1 and the PAC cannibalize' itself and 10-2 Boise gets left out of the CFP.

Great job I guess.
You know you are talking to probably the only Coug who has crowed about the reverse merger for over a year now. "I told you so" as my signature is there for a reason. Like a badge of liquid courage.

We could still merge. Seriously. Right now, a what - 16 team FB league and an 18 team BB league? (Am I counting correctly?) Fire that hag Teresa, install my crush Gloria, consolidate offices in Vegas. absolutely the Best G5 conference in all sports.
 
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You know you are talking to probably the only Coug who has crowed about the reverse merger for over a year now. "I told you so" as my signature is there for a reason. Like a badge of liquid courage.

We could still merge. Seriously. Right now, a what - 16 team FB league and an 18 team BB league? (Am I counting correctly?) Fire that hag Teresa, install my crush Gloria, consolidate offices in Vegas. absolutely the Best G5 conference in all sports.

I know you've been probably reverse merger from day one.

I'm not going to let my inherent bias cloud judgement.

PAC will likely land on its feet. Have a better TV deal. Probably own the prestigious crown of best G6 conference. Push for the CFP playoffs more times than not.

But at what cost? Could the same schools likely have accomplished that with a reverse merger at a fraction of the cost? Yep. Would the PAC/MWC merged still be the best among the G5..Also yep.

Unless that media deal is 15 million per, there won't be a true return on investment for years.

Maybe wishful thinking on my part but if Memphis/Tulane/UNLV all end up in power conferences there will be a huge helping of crow to digest for the PAC.

(No I don't think UNLV is headed to a power conference) .
 
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