NFL viewership off 11% YOY (1 Viewer)

[Keith R]

So what are possible solutions that make economic sense for the NFL?  

Getting rid of Thursday games won't happen.  

Expansion will get more markets involved, albeit by watering down the talent base further.  This will be amplified in the not-too-distant future if parents discourage their kids from playing

The TV contracts are too fat for streaming to be an option in the foreseeable future.

Could games be shortened without compromising ad revenue?

Any other ideas?

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Nothing like the drama of the CL

Unless we get another all-Madrid final ...

 

[elbowrm]

So what are possible solutions that make economic sense for the NFL?  

Getting rid of Thursday games won't happen.  

Expansion will get more markets involved, albeit by watering down the talent base further.  This will be amplified in the not-too-distant future if parents discourage their kids from playing

The TV contracts are too fat for streaming to be an option in the foreseeable future.

Could games be shortened without compromising ad revenue?

Any other ideas?

Crowd sourced instant replay, 30 seconds to text in your vote.  Votes are divided by a team's social media followers to account for homerism.

 

[comfortably numb]

Two really good offenses.  It will be a good one.

Yup. Just like GB/AT...Oh wait

 

[Slapdash]

Unless we get another all-Madrid final ...

Still not as bad as Bama vs Clempson 

 

[RUSF18]

So what are possible solutions that make economic sense for the NFL?  

Getting rid of Thursday games won't happen.  

Expansion will get more markets involved, albeit by watering down the talent base further.  This will be amplified in the not-too-distant future if parents discourage their kids from playing

The TV contracts are too fat for streaming to be an option in the foreseeable future.

Could games be shortened without compromising ad revenue?

Any other ideas?

They need to do more with integrating sponsors/ads into the telecast without breaking away from the action. "This portion of the game is brought to you commercial-free by Budweiser..." and you keep showing the logo or pop up ads during replays.

 

[KarmaPolice]

They need to do more with integrating sponsors/ads into the telecast without breaking away from the action. "This portion of the game is brought to you commercial-free by Budweiser..." and you keep showing the logo or pop up ads during replays.

I am all for their uniforms looking like NASCAR drivers if it means I don't have to sit through so many commercials and the games don't go 3 1/2 hours+. 

 

[need2know]

Yup. Just like GB/AT...Oh wait

Or Pitt/ne

 

[RC94]

I am all for their uniforms looking like NASCAR drivers if it means I don't have to sit through so many commercials and the games don't go 3 1/2 hours+. 

I agree, but knowing the greediness of the NFL and the owners, it won't be instead of commercials, it will be in addition to.  Networks are paying too much to the NFL to cut advertising time.

 

[GROOT]

So what if the NFL is down? How does it affect anything in your life? seriously. Who cares. If one likes the NFL, watch it.  It isn't going anywhere.

 

[NotSmart]

This Super Bowl sucks. Mu guess is 90% of the viewers are only watching for:

1. Commercials

Or

2. Hoping the Patriots lose

2 for 2 for me.

I'd also be happy for ATL if they win.

 

[Poke_4_Life]

This Super Bowl sucks. Mu guess is 90% of the viewers are only watching for:

1. Commercials

Or

2. Hoping the Patriots lose

2b. Watching the awkward moment when Goodell hands the 'cheating' Pat's the trophy. 

(Still rooting for the Falcons, F the Pats.)

 

[Fariq]

or pitt/ne 

Anybody who thought Pittsburgh could keep it close vs NE was sort of a moron

 

[pollardsvision]

So what are possible solutions that make economic sense for the NFL?  

Getting rid of Thursday games won't happen.  

Expansion will get more markets involved, albeit by watering down the talent base further.  This will be amplified in the not-too-distant future if parents discourage their kids from playing

The TV contracts are too fat for streaming to be an option in the foreseeable future.

Could games be shortened without compromising ad revenue?

Any other ideas?

Commercials seem to be the biggest complaint, and the solutions are obvious as mentioned by others (in-game ads). There are many things the NFL could do. Being motivated to is the issue.

But as bolded, TV contracts are fat. If they remain fat, the commercial problem will continue to get worse. The only way anything would change is for the NFL to see a continual decline in ratings. Our choice is simply to watch or not. Next year will be more telling without a polarizing election taking place.

Viewers generally end up getting what they want (or more accurately, what they are willing to put up with).

The NFL is probably a long way from any real change or shakeup, but MLB is probably getting close (or is in process). Regional networks made a lot of huge TV deals that are no longer paying off as people started cutting the cord (and not getting the stupid tiers that have those channels). MLB and the networks still haven't killed the local blackouts on MLB.tv, but it seems that shouldn't be too far off. Either way, the TV contracts should start seeing some significant shake-ups going forward.

 

[NotSmart]

MLB and the networks still haven't killed the local blackouts on MLB.tv, but it seems that shouldn't be too far off. 

That would be awesome... but I'm not holding my breath. :(  

 

[BowieMercs]

Watched 30 for 30 episode about the XFL last night. After watching it, I was thankful that Vince McMahon has not been nominated for any cabinet posts (yet  ).

Takeaway: McMahon's ego is only exceeded by Costas' whining  

 

[SacramentoBob]

I agree, but knowing the greediness of the NFL and the owners, it won't be instead of commercials, it will be in addition to.  Networks are paying too much to the NFL to cut advertising time.

The following Budweiser commercial is brought to you by Budweiser.

 

[pollardsvision]

That would be awesome... but I'm not holding my breath. :(  

I wouldn't hold my breath either, but it feels inevitable as massive regional TV deals are becoming less profitable. At some point, it has to come down to how many people are willing to pay for cable at all or pay for the tiers that include these networks. If people are less and less willing to buy the MLB product through local TV deals, then at some point, I don't see how they could continue to ignore the people that are willing to pay for their product. 

Though, I guess the intermediate "fix" would be more and more networks adding their channels to Sling/Vue and other streaming services. Surely, they make less, but something is better than nothing when the networks have already paid for the content.

It feels like these teams have a larger, long-term issue on the horizon. There's a growing generation of would-be baseball fans that, more and more, just don't have access to watching their local team play on TV. 

 

[jon_mx]

They need to do more with integrating sponsors/ads into the telecast without breaking away from the action. "This portion of the game is brought to you commercial-free by Budweiser..." and you keep showing the logo or pop up ads during replays.

Copy NASCAR and cover the uniform with logos.  Rename teams to include their major spouncer and require announcers to use the full name at all times. 

 

[BowieMercs]

Copy NASCAR and cover the uniform with logos.  Rename teams to include their major spouncer and require announcers to use the full name at all times. 

I can just hear Bob Costas introducing Dan Snyder's team: Taking the field now with absolutely no defense is The Marriott Signature Sheets Washington Redskins



PS: HTTR 

 

[need2know]

Anybody who thought Pittsburgh could keep it close vs NE was sort of a moron

If bell hadn't have gotten hurt it would have been alot closer.  Still would have lost though.

 

[KarmaPolice]

This Super Bowl sucks. Mu guess is 90% of the viewers are only watching for:

1. Commercials

Or

2. Hoping the Patriots lose

So people will be doubly annoyed tomorrow because of:

1.  The Political commercials

2.  The Pats winning

 

[KarmaPolice]

If bell hadn't have gotten hurt it would have been alot closer.  Still would have lost though.

 

[need2know]

Really.  You think the Steelers losing their best player didn't help the pats.  Gotcha

 

[KarmaPolice]

Really.  You think the Steelers losing their best player didn't help the pats.  Gotcha

Did I say that?  Just disagree with it being A LOT closer.  Bell doesn't play D or call smarter plays for the D.  But that's not what this thread is about - sorry for the derailing. 

 

[Slapdash]

Copy NASCAR and cover the uniform with logos.  Rename teams to include their major spouncer and require announcers to use the full name at all times. 

I can just hear Bob Costas introducing Dan Snyder's team: Taking the field now with absolutely no defense is The Marriott Signature Sheets Washington Redskins



PS: HTTR 

I would watch even less

 

[Sammy3469]

Somehow it's fitting that the best part of this season was a Lady Gaga Super Bowl halftime show

 

[Slapdash]

Maybe shouldn't have such a long halftime that one squad is off the field for over an hour.  Certainly shouldn't point it out.  Pathetic sport

 

[NREC34]

So people will be doubly annoyed tomorrow because of:

1.  The Political commercials

2.  The Pats winning

Not looking good for the Pats

 

[Max Power]

NFL Just Jumped the Shark.  So Long....

 

[gump]

  Successful night for the NFL.  

 

[KarmaPolice]

Not looking good for the Pats

 

[culdeus]

Somehow it's fitting that the best part of this season was a Lady Gaga Super Bowl halftime show

 

[Vanilla Guerrilla]

Somehow it's fitting that the best part of this season was a Lady Gaga Super Bowl halftime show

Entertaining watching a 6.5 doing the halftime show.

 

[Sammy3469]

I'm an idiot go figure

 

[Cjw_55106]

NFL Just Jumped the Shark.  So Long....

Whats this now? 

 

[saintsfan]

Bunch of College Football or MLB fans on this thread??

Last night was spectacular.  First Super Bowl to go to overtime.  Largest comeback in Super Bowl history.  Brady wins 5.  And Ga Ga was great.  Please explain how this was a bad night for the NFL??

 

[Tiger Fan]

Fox's broadcast of Super Bowl LI on Sunday night drew a 48.8 overnight rating, according to Nielsen data released by the 21st Century Fox unit.

The 48.8 rating is lower than the previous two Super Bowls, despite a thrilling finish that saw the New England Patriots pull off a 25-point comeback to win the National Football League's first overtime Super Bowl.

The overnight rating measures 56 major markets in the United States, which represents about 70 percent of the country and is an early indication of what the final number will be.

 

[Dentist]

Fox's broadcast of Super Bowl LI on Sunday night drew a 48.8 overnight rating, according to Nielsen data released by the 21st Century Fox unit.

The 48.8 rating is lower than the previous two Super Bowls, despite a thrilling finish that saw the New England Patriots pull off a 25-point comeback to win the National Football League's first overtime Super Bowl.

The overnight rating measures 56 major markets in the United States, which represents about 70 percent of the country and is an early indication of what the final number will be.

I wonder how many tuned out though at 28-3 and maybe didn't go back for awhile... i know for a fact I may have had the TV "on" but I mentally checked out and was 2nd screening from the 4th ATL TD until the final drive...  I really still felt like Atlanta was going to hang on and win until the 2PT conversion was good to tie the game... 

I imagine a lot of people left parties early and what not...  the comeback was great, but it left a large portion of the game as relatively uninteresting

 

[Dentist]

Entertaining watching a 6.5 doing the halftime show.

she's no katy perry or Britney Spears a la 2001, but the show was pretty solid and I'm only a marginal fan of the tunes.

 

[Slapdash]

Last night was spectacular.  First Super Bowl to go to overtime.  Largest comeback in Super Bowl history.  Brady wins 5.  And Ga Ga was great.  Please explain how this was a bad night for the NFL??

The NFL has just become such a boring product.  Seeing Brady/Patriots win another SB doesn't really help it.

 

[eoMMan]

I wonder how many tuned out though at 28-3 and maybe didn't go back for awhile... i know for a fact I may have had the TV "on" but I mentally checked out and was 2nd screening from the 4th ATL TD until the final drive...  I really still felt like Atlanta was going to hang on and win until the 2PT conversion was good to tie the game... 

I imagine a lot of people left parties early and what not...  the comeback was great, but it left a large portion of the game as relatively uninteresting

Raises hand. I went to bed. That's one big beef I have with the NFL. The night games are too late. Even this one that started at 6:30....come on....people gotta work in the morning. 

 

[Dentist]

Raises hand. I went to bed. That's one big beef I have with the NFL. The night games are too late. Even this one that started at 6:30....come on....people gotta work in the morning. 

I think this is a big problem.. i cant imagine living on the east coast..  often times for TV reasons I wish I lived in mountain time.

I think Super Bowl Saturday would be so much more fun,  but I'm aware that Sunday evening TV time is too valuable to pass up on.

 

[Dentist]

The NFL has just become such a boring product.  Seeing Brady/Patriots win another SB doesn't really help it.

I agree, but has it?  or is it just you and me..  people who have watched the game for over 20 years and it's just an issue where the game has changed some, but we have changed moreso...   sports will probably never matter to me again as much as they did when i was 16-30.

I mean I've witnessed some of my favorite sports events EVER in recent years...  2 world series (1 title) for my Royals,  Federer beating Nadal in a major last week...  and I would have appreciated both of those events a lot more 10 years ago.

 

[Jobber]

The NFL has just become such a boring product.  Seeing Brady/Patriots win another SB doesn't really help it.

Yep, the game was fun to watch. However the other 31 teams fan bases see their teams as having little chance against the current dynasty.

 

[DocHolliday]

Yep, the game was fun to watch. However the other 31 teams fan bases see their teams as having little chance against the current dynasty.

I think Atlanta had a chance last night.  Seattle had a chance 2 years ago. 

 

[Slapdash]

I agree, but has it?  or is it just you and me..  people who have watched the game for over 20 years and it's just an issue where the game has changed some, but we have changed moreso...   sports will probably never matter to me again as much as they did when i was 16-30.

I mean I've witnessed some of my favorite sports events EVER in recent years...  2 world series (1 title) for my Royals,  Federer beating Nadal in a major last week...  and I would have appreciated both of those events a lot more 10 years ago.

I'm still in that age range.  Still enjoy soccer and going to college football games very much.

 

[culdeus]

I think this is a big problem.. i cant imagine living on the east coast..  often times for TV reasons I wish I lived in mountain time.

I think Super Bowl Saturday would be so much more fun,  but I'm aware that Sunday evening TV time is too valuable to pass up on.

I think the prevailing logic about the game staying on Sunday is that the hotel and service industry of the host town would lose 40-60% of their revenue.  

 

[Tiger Fan]

It makes no sense that they start so late.  I let my kids stay up, but I'm sure a bunch of people put their kids to bed......if they want to embrace the young market, they really need to start them earlier.

 

[Long Ball Larry]

Raises hand. I went to bed. That's one big beef I have with the NFL. The night games are too late. Even this one that started at 6:30....come on....people gotta work in the morning. 

10:30 is too late?