THE LINEUP: ESPN’S CFP National Championship Coverage
Monday night in Atlanta, the College Football Playoff National Championship delivered another heart-pounding thriller.
Rallying from a double-digit fourth-quarter deficit, Alabama defeated Georgia in overtime, 26-23. ESPN’s presentation of the epic College Football Playoff National Championship delivered a massive 16.7 overnight rating on its Nielsen-rated networks (ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU) as part of its MegaCast production, up nine percent from the thrilling 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship on the same three networks.
The ESPN-only presentation delivered a monster 16.0 overnight rating for the Crimson Tide’s overtime victory, up eight percent from the ESPN-only presentation last season, a game which featured a dramatic, last-minute touchdown to win the game.
Below, Front Row has assembled a sampling of social media reactions to ESPN’s blanket coverage of the college football season’s finale. Visit ESPNImages.com for additional photo coverage.
TAKES ON GAME, MEGACAST PRESENTATION
How was Alabama’s winning touchdown called across ESPN’s MegaCast Monday night? David Cutcliffe looked prescient, Aaron Murray was stunnedhttps://t.co/EwmVGKtDVD pic.twitter.com/QUsJW3yHUY
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 9, 2018
https://twitter.com/TheJudge44/status/950596144165371905
The ESPN #Megacast has something for everyone. pic.twitter.com/BpM4IZTecI
— Dan Molloy (@DanMolloyTV) January 9, 2018
Really enjoying the #NationalChampionship on @ESPN SkyCam. Just crowd noise & football. Makes you feel like you're in the game. pic.twitter.com/EygVnO83lm
— Joshua Whittenburg (@jmwhittenburg) January 9, 2018
The team of @cbfowler & @KirkHerbstreit absolutely outstanding tonight, as always @CFBPlayoff
— Dan Bell (@danpbell) January 9, 2018
https://twitter.com/SatansJacuzzi/status/950563171991019521
Love this @ESPN Command Center version of the #NationalChampionship MegaCast as long as you have a big TV. Program feed, skycam, each coach cam, and live stats all on one screen. #FutureOfSportsBroadcasting pic.twitter.com/AlrXSoIWhs
— Austin Minnihan (@austinminn) January 9, 2018
@LeBatardShow @Stugotz790 Last night’s ESPN3 megacast was AMAZING!!! Never been so happy watching a college football game. I’m shot this morning but it was worth it!!!
— Jonny Ballgame (@JonnyBallz) January 9, 2018
ESPN had terrific reactions throughout the Megacast. The main one was expected. The Homer broadcasts were great, especially Aaron Murray. The voices were great with Elle Duncan walking off stage the best https://t.co/XlSOP1HD0q
— Tracy Tran (@tracytran) January 9, 2018
ICYMI: Here's a summary of the @LeBatardShow with @Stugotz790 MEGACAST @MichaelRyanRuiz pic.twitter.com/FCUBSQz3RW
— Angel Resto (@angelresto28) January 9, 2018
One thing I loved about last night was going back and watching the end of the game on all of the different ESPN broadcasts they had. Cool Room, Lebatard, Coaches breakdown, homer broadcast, local radio feed, all awesome ideas. Should do it for every big sporting event.
— brettdunlap (@brettdunlap) January 9, 2018
Dude. @espn #MegaCast production was awesome. Beautiful @CFBPlayoff #nationalchampionship finish to a fun 2017 @NCAAFootball season. Congratulations #RollTide . @AlabamaFTBL pic.twitter.com/uYGa5S182i
— Nathan Toth (@BEAVER15) January 9, 2018
Even though the game didn’t end the way a lot of people wanted Kirk Herbstreit and Chris Fowler did a helluva job on air tonight #CFBChampionship
— Braden_Treaster_5 (@Braden_Treaster) January 9, 2018
I think @KirkHerbstreit is one of the most talented dudes on tv.. I think he and @cbfowler were incredible tonight. pic.twitter.com/fnE8YEh8As
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) January 9, 2018
My wife has never watched a football game with me until tonight’s megacast with @LeBatardShow
— Mike Zundel (@drzundel) January 9, 2018
Most food eaten on ESPN networks in the past year…
1. @LeBatardShow CFB megacast
2. Nathan’s Hot Dog eating contest@Stugotz790 shines at night! @MichaelRyanRuiz @billygil @chriscote954 @roybelly— Brandon Behrens (@gimmick31) January 9, 2018
@LeBatardShow watching the megacast on rewind and I’m loving it can i watch all the big games like this please
— Francisco Gonazalez (@FranchySan) January 9, 2018
I say this every year because Alabama is seemingly always there: @GregMcElroy is tremendous on the Megacast telecast. He teaches you the game.
— Richard Deitsch (@richarddeitsch) January 9, 2018
#FinebaumFilmRoom is fascinating with @ESPNBooger @GregMcElroy expert analysis and the shot of both coaches. Grasshopper is outdoing the master so far @finebaum
— Will in Gulfport (@wilhildebrand4) January 9, 2018
Finebaum’s Film Room is easily the best side broadcast
— Michael E. Lehr (@MichaelELehr) January 9, 2018
Nailed it. @SECNetwork @Finebaum film room is always on point during big games. #NationalChampionship #Bama #UGA https://t.co/DZsI1RVnZB
— Jason Grill (@JasonGrill) January 9, 2018
.@GregMcElroy is one of the most impressive college football analysts in the business. He should be in the booth more often and get a promotion. Absolutely killing it on @finebaum film room tonight on @SECNetwork portion of the Megacast. #NationalChampionship #Bama #UGA
— Jason Grill (@JasonGrill) January 9, 2018
Incredible pregame TV on SEC Network anchored by the brilliant @LauraMRutledge. What a star she is.
— Neil W. Blackmon (@nwblackmon) January 9, 2018
Great job @GregMcElroy You guys do a great job on @SECNetwork #RollTide
— Joe McSpadden (@joe_mcspadden) January 9, 2018
@SECNetwork @TimTebow @mspears96 @LauraMRutledge @GregMcElroy Did a great job pregame and postgame. Great interviews. #RollTide
— Bass Riggins (@bamaalum1994) January 9, 2018
THE GAME-WINNING PLAY VIA ESPN FRONT ROW’S INSTAGRAM
THE COUNTDOWN BEGINS FOR 2019
Instant Classic!! See y’all next year!! #megacast #CFPChampionship @Stugotz790 @LeBatardShow @MichaelRyanRuiz @roybelly @chriscote954 @billygil #FoolRoom #KennyG #Teriyaki #Wiiiiings #EntertainmentPurposes #All4Hours #Bama #Dawgs pic.twitter.com/grB2QSI0aM
— Stephen Boyd (@stevegotsoul) January 9, 2018
Amanda Brooks, Andy Hall, Josh Krulewitz and Rachel Siegal contributed to this post.