80% of us in Birmingham TV market were watching the 4 OT Iron Bowl classic

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Auburn
Jordan-Hare Stadium at Auburn University. Photo by Pat Byington for Bham Now

What were you doing during overtime of the 2021 Iron Bowl? Four out of five of us in the Magic City were watching the 24-22 (4OT) Alabama victory over Auburn.

According to longtime Birmingham sports broadcaster Ryan Brown at The Next Round .up to 80% of television viewers in the Birmingham-Anniston-Tuscaloosa market tuned in to watch the instant classic overtime game at Jordan-Hare.

Iron Bowl
Screenshot of Ryan Brown tweet

More astounding numbers.  CBS Sports PR reports this year’s Iron Bowl garnered 55% more viewers than in 2020. Paramount+ , CBS’s live sports streaming also declared the 2021 version of the Iron Bowl as its most streamed college football game ever.

Ratings Winner

High TV ratings in the Birmingham Metro area, especially for the first overtime game between the two in-state rivals should come as no surprise. The Magic City is crazy about football and sports.

As we reported back in January 2021, Birmingham has been ESPN’s top ranked television market for 12 consecutive years.

Where Were You?

Whether your favorite team won or lost, years from now folks are going to ask… where were you? Tell us your 2021 Iron Bowl story.  We want to hear from you. Tag us on social media @bhamnow 

Pat Byington
Pat Byington

Longtime conservationist. Former Executive Director at the Alabama Environmental Council and Wild South. Publisher of the Bama Environmental News for more than 18 years. Career highlights include playing an active role in the creation of Alabama's Forever Wild program, Little River Canyon National Preserve, Dugger Mountain Wilderness, preservation of special places throughout the East through the Wilderness Society and the strengthening (making more stringent) the state of Alabama's cancer risk and mercury standards.

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