CFP willing to consider moving semifinals off New Year's Eve

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 2:38 p.m. ET

foxsports

HOOVER, Ala. (AP) The College Football Playoff will consider moving future semifinals off New Year's Eve if it can help increase viewership.

Executive director Bill Hancock told reporters at Southeastern Conference Media Days the conference commissioners who make up the playoff management committee are open to changing future schedules, starting in 2019 when the semifinals are scheduled for New Year's Eve.

The first College Football Playoff after the 2014 season drew record television ratings for ESPN when the semifinals were played on New Year's Day. The first game, the Rose Bowl, kicked off around 5:30 p.m. ET. TV ratings dropped 36 percent for the semifinals played after last season when the games kicked off at similar times on New Year's Eve.

Hancock says alternatives to New Year's Eve are beginning to be explored.