The 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship game between the No. 1 Clemson Tigers (14-0) and the No. 2 Alabama Crimson Tide (13-1), kicks off tonight at 8:30 p.m. EST. The game is poised (the sponsors hope) to beat out last year’s landmark television broadcast that averaged 33.4 million viewers. There are a few reasons for this. First, it’s the only game this calendar season that’ll put two Heisman Trophy finalists — Clemson’s Deshaun Watson and Alabama’s Derrick Henry (winner) — up against each other. Two, it’s the second-ever final resulting from college football’s captivating new playoff system, which debuted last year. Finally, in light of the previous two games’ poor ratings, ESPN is pulling all the stops to ensure that this game will rake in the viewers.
All of which is to say that as part of their Megacast Presentation, ESPN is giving viewers unprecedented freedom to watch the game on their own terms. Tired of listening to Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit? Craving some hometown bias? Want to hear just the live sounds of the game, sans commentary? ESPN has got you covered. For ESPN’s full list of viewing options, look below.
Where to watch: ESPN or WatchESPN
Broadcast: traditional telecast
Brief: Gold-team duo Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit, along with Heather Cox and Tom Rinaldi reporting from the sidelines, will lead ESPN’s marquee channel.
Where to watch: ESPN2 or WatchESPN
Broadcast: Film Room
Brief: Several ESPN college football analysts, including Brian Griese and Chris Spielman, will provide continuous in-game analysis of the game.
Where to watch: ESPNEWS or WatchESPN
Broadcast: ESPN Voices
Brief: ESPN personalities — including soccer analyst Taylor Twellman and boxing trainer Teddy Atlas — watch the game “in a living room-type atmosphere.”
Where to watch: ESPNU or WatchESPN
Broadcast: Homers Telecast
Brief: Biased commentators and alma mater, like Clemson’s all-time leading passer Tajh Boyd and former Alabama’s three-time national champion Barrett Jones, analyze the game. If your team’s losing, switch for (probably) conspiracy theories.
Where to watch: SEC Network or WatchESPN
Broadcast: Finebaum Film Room
Brief: SEC Network analysts like Greg McElroy and Marcus Spears comment on the game.