University of Tennessee Athletics
Knoxville Among ESPN's Top Markets Again
December 10, 2014 | Football
Dec. 10, 2014
Also, ESPN has announced the crew which will call the TaxSlayer Bowl in Jacksonville. Veterans Mark Jones and Rod Gilmore will call the action with Jessica Mendoza on the sidelines. On ESPN Radio, Adam Amin will call the action with John Congemi on color.
Since Knoxville became a metered market in 2002, it is one of only four markets to rank in the top 10 each year in terms of watching ESPN's College Football game telecasts. Also ranking among the top 10 in each of the last 13 seasons are Birmingham, Ala., Columbus, Ohio and Jacksonville, Fla.
For the 2014 season, only Birmingham (9.2) and New Orleans, La. (4.2) had higher ratings than the home of the Vols. Three markets in the state of Tennessee were among the top 10 for the third year in a row. Memphis (3.8) tied with Atlanta for fifth on the list and Nashville (2.9) tied with Columbus, Ohio on the list.
Tennessee is the only state to have three markets in the Top 10 for the third year in a row.
Since 2002, Knoxville has ranked in the top three on 10 occasions including being the second-highest in 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2009. The market ranked third in 2003, 2010, 2012, 2013 and 2014.
Here's a rundown of Knoxville's yearly ratings and national rankings according to ESPN.
Knoxville Ratings For ESPN College Football
2002: 4.8 (2nd)
2003: 4.0 (3rd)
2004: 4.3 (2nd)
2005: 3.3 (6th)
2006: 5.9 (2nd)
2007: 4.0 (4th)
2008: 4.8 (2nd)
2009: 5.1 (2nd)
2010: 4.1 (3rd)
2011: 3.0 (10th)
2012: 4.6 (3rd)
2013: 4.4 (3rd)
2014: 4.1 (3rd)
Top 10 Markets for 2014 ESPN College Football
1. Birmingham (9.2)
2. New Orleans (4.2)
3T. Knoxville (4.1)
3T. Greenville (4.1)
5T. Memphis (3.8)
5T. Atlanta (3.8)
7. Jacksonville (3.5)
8. Oklahoma City (3.4)
9. Tulsa (3.1)
10T. Nashville (2.9)
10T. Columbus (2.9)
