Who Is Broadcasting College Football Championship 2025?

By Sarah Miller · April 19, 2031

The College Football Playoff National Championship is broadcast nationally in the United States by ESPN, which holds exclusive television rights through the 2025 season. The game is also streamed live on ESPN.com, the ESPN app, and via authorized providers.

Broadcast Overview of the College Football Championship

ESPN has been the exclusive broadcaster of the College Football Playoff (CFP) National Championship since its inception in 2014. As part of a long-term media rights agreement, ESPN airs the championship game across its flagship network, with additional coverage available through digital platforms including the ESPN app and ESPN+ for authenticated subscribers.

Key Broadcasting Platforms

Television: ESPN (primary channel)
Streaming: ESPN app, ESPN.com, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, FuboTV
International: Select games available via ESPN International and regional sports networks
Radio: Westwood One provides national radio coverage

Media Rights and Contract Details

ESPN’s contract with the College Football Playoff extends through the 2025 season, covering all six CFP bowl games and the National Championship. The current deal, signed in 2012 and extended in 2018, is valued at approximately $7.8 billion over 12 years, averaging $650 million per year.

Upcoming Broadcast Schedule (2025 Season)

The 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship will conclude the 2024–2025 season and is scheduled for Monday, January 20, 2025. The game will be hosted at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.

Year	Date	Champion	Runner-up	Location	Viewers (Millions)	Broadcaster
2022	Jan 10, 2022	Georgia	Alabama	Inglewood, CA	21.9	ESPN
2023	Jan 9, 2023	Georgia	Tennessee	Inglewood, CA	22.7	ESPN
2024	Jan 8, 2024	Michigan	Washington	Houston, TX	24.1	ESPN
2025*	Jan 20, 2025	TBD	TBD	Atlanta, GA	Projected ~25M	ESPN

Table data source:1, 2

The viewership for the College Football Playoff National Championship has steadily increased, reaching 24.1 million in 2024—the highest in five years. ESPN continues to dominate live college football broadcasting, with consistent ratings growth attributed to expanded playoff access and high-profile matchups.

How to Watch the Championship Game

Fans can watch the College Football Playoff National Championship live through multiple platforms. Access requires a cable subscription or a live TV streaming service that includes ESPN.

Available Streaming Services

Hulu + Live TV: Includes ESPN and full CFP coverage
YouTube TV: Carries ESPN, ESPN2, and ABC (for non-ESPN years)
FuboTV: Offers ESPN and premium sports add-ons
Direct-to-Consumer: ESPN app with provider login or ESPN+ (limited supplementary content)

About ESPN's Role in College Football

As the primary rights holder for college football’s postseason, ESPN manages production, commentary, and global distribution of the championship game. The network deploys top-tier announcers, including Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit, and Holly Rowe, ensuring comprehensive coverage.

Commentary Team Highlights

Play-by-Play: Chris Fowler
Analyst: Kirk Herbstreit
Reporter: Holly Rowe and Laura Rutledge
Studio Host: Rece Davis (College GameDay)

Frequently Asked Questions About the College Football Championship Broadcast

Who is broadcasting the college football championship in 2025?

ESPN will exclusively broadcast the 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship on Monday, January 20, 2025. The game will also be available via live stream on the ESPN app and ESPN.com with a valid TV provider login.

Can I stream the college football championship for free?

Limited free streaming may be available through the ESPN website or app during select promotional periods. Otherwise, authentication with a paid TV provider or subscription to a live TV streaming service (e.g., Hulu + Live TV) is required to watch the game legally.

Is the college football championship on ABC or ESPN?

The College Football Playoff National Championship is currently aired exclusively on ESPN through the 2025 season. Prior agreements occasionally used ABC, but all recent finals have been on ESPN due to contractual exclusivity.

What time does the college football championship start in 2025?

The 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship is scheduled to begin at 7:30 PM Eastern Time (ET) on Monday, January 20, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.

Will the college football championship be on Peacock or other streaming platforms?

No, the College Football Playoff National Championship is not available on Peacock. It remains exclusively with ESPN and affiliated platforms. NBC (Peacock’s parent) does not hold rights to the CFP; ESPN maintains sole U.S. broadcast and streaming rights through 2025.