Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game Helps ABC Win the Night
  
ATLANTA (September 10, 2009) – At its peak, more than five and a half million households tuned in to watch No. 5 Alabama defeat No. 7 Virginia Tech 34-24 in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game on ABC Saturday night.

The broadcast averaged 4,832,000 households and a 4.2 rating making ABC the number one network in households, total viewers and across all key demographics. The game posted a 20% increase in households (vs. 4,030,000) and a ratings increase of 17% (vs. 3.6) over last year's Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game.

“We’re obviously thrilled with the viewership numbers and with the incredible national attention this game received,” said Gary Stokan, Chick-fil-A Bowl president and CEO. “We owe a great deal to our partners at ESPN, Alabama, Virginia Tech and Chick-fil-A for helping put together such a great BCS-style match-up to kick off the 2009 season.”

The game was attended by a sold-out crowd of 74,954 – the fourth-largest football crowd in the history of the Georgia Dome.

“The Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game provided Saturday Night Football with a great game, an incredible atmosphere and a tremendous ratings boost for all of our ABC affiliates,” said Dave Brown, ESPN vice president, programming and acquisitions. “It was a big win all the way around.”

The Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game annually matches top-ranked teams in a neutral site, BCS-style game to open the college football season in Atlanta. The game is managed by the Chick-fil-A Bowl in partnership with ESPN.

Contacts:
Matt Garvey    
Chick-fil-A Bowl   
404-586-8496    
mgarvey@macoc.com