NFL and TV Execs dumbfounded as why ratings are tanking.

[EL PRESIDENTE]

Viewership down 10%.

I WONDER WHY.

http://www.wsj.com/articles/ratings-fumble-for-nfl-surprises-networks-advertisers-1475764108

The NFL has been sacked for a loss.

Once considered immune to the audience erosion plaguing the television industry, ratings for the National Football League have slipped through the first four weeks of the season.

TV networks have spent heavily on sports, and the NFL in particular, because of their must-see nature. While more viewers today watch commercial-free streaming services like Netflix or record shows on DVRs and skip the ads, sports programming primarily is still watched live, making it valuable to advertisers.

This season, network viewership is down about 10% from last season, according to Nielsen data, with steeper declines for prime-time games on Sunday, Monday and Thursday. The drop has caught advertisers and rights holders off guard and left them scrambling to find a cause.

“We’re scratching our heads,” said Andy Donchin, a media buyer at Amplifi US, an ad-buying unit of Dentsu Aegis Network, whose clients include General Motors Co. “We cannot pinpoint any specific reason why the numbers are down. It is probably being caused by a confluence of events.”

One reason often cited is the election. The Sept. 26 debate between Hillary Clinton andDonald Trump drew 84 million viewers, cutting into ESPN’s “Monday Night Football.” While this Sunday’s New York Giants versus Green Bay Packers matchup on NBC will probably fare better, its ratings likely will be impacted by the head-to-head competition with the second presidential debate.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Election, concussions, protests, bad games, retiring/suspended stars. There are lots of reasons viewership is down.

 

[blue32]

OK my take.

1. The last four weeks of TNF and MNF have been freaking snoozefests.

2. WAY TO MANY FUCKING COMMERCIALS. Stop it already with a commercial session every god damn time after a kickoff possession change, and the 2 minute warnings. The action of the NFL is getting watered down w/all of the interruptions.

3. Stop talking about the fucking anthem. This is a sporting event, keep it about sports; I don't give two shits how many people are kneeling, jerking off, standing, fisting, whatever the fuck.

4. Stop throwing flags for stupid shit like "twerking" in the end zone, or when ODB and Norman go at it, etc. Let the warriors battle it out. Man, I feel like I am watching powder puff out there half the time; as a viewer penalties like this are damn frustrating and just prolong this game that takes FOREVER to complete because of #2 above.

5. Sometimes the announcers are just...... ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzZZZZZzzzzz boring. But this is because the game just drones on forever and they run out of shit to talk about.

6. Speed the game up, people got shit to do on the weekend, let's get a fucking move on already. Keep the clock running in certain situations.

 

[Natebishop3]

They have turned the game into a boring pile of shit.

Why the hell would you flag and fine a player for doing the bow and arrow? I get that people have made the "No Fun League" joke for years, but this is ridiculous. One of my favorite players of all time was Dion Sanders. I can't even imagine how many flags he would have received if he played today.

The NFL needs to unclench their butthole.

 

[oldfisherman]

There is a lot more continues action with fewer commercials watching the riots.

 

[BoBoBREWSKI]

I agree with the 4 posts above.
And I think lots of people watch the RedZone channel on Sunday. No commercials and you basically get to watch all the games at the same time.

 

[Natebishop3]

Another thing, I have always considered the NBA to be kind of shady, but the NFL makes the NBA look like the most trustworthy organization in America. They have really taken a beating lately. Their players can't seem to stay out of trouble. They had the whole "concussion coverup" thing, and they come off as very arrogant.

 

[H.C.]

Too many commercials, shitty announcers who rarely talk about the game...
Not to mention they sound like they belong on narrating the dukes of hazzard.
If I have to watch american football I'd rather watch redzone.
Oh and picking shitty ass teams to put on national tv.
Who the fuck wants to watch teams that finish the season 2-14?

 

[santeesioux]

This seems like a really shitty football year, not to mention all the other distractions going on.

 

[dviss1]

OK my take.

1. The last four weeks of TNF and MNF have been freaking snoozefests.

2. WAY TO MANY FUCKING COMMERCIALS. Stop it already with a commercial session every god damn time after a kickoff possession change, and the 2 minute warnings. The action of the NFL is getting watered down w/all of the interruptions.

3. Stop talking about the fucking anthem. This is a sporting event, keep it about sports; I don't give two shits how many people are kneeling, jerking off, standing, fisting, whatever the fuck.

4. Stop throwing flags for stupid shit like "twerking" in the end zone, or when ODB and Norman go at it, etc. Let the warriors battle it out. Man, I feel like I am watching powder puff out there half the time; as a viewer penalties like this are damn frustrating and just prolong this game that takes FOREVER to complete because of #2 above.

5. Sometimes the announcers are just...... ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzZZZZZzzzzz boring. But this is because the game just drones on forever and they run out of shit to talk about.

6. Speed the game up, people got shit to do on the weekend, let's get a fucking move on already. Keep the clock running in certain situations.

Every bit of this.

 

[dviss1]

This seems like a really shitty football year, not to mention all the other distractions going on.

But my Eagles are undefeated tho....

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

I blame Kaepernick, and OBJ.

 

[blue32]

But my Eagles are undefeated tho....

We disagree on 90% of things, but we both love the Eagles!?!

holy fuck

 

[ripcityboy]

Oh shit. This just means the sports media will just up the amount of negative press it directs at baseball.

 

[dviss1]

I blame Kaepernick, and OBJ.

Meh. Wait til he takes Gabbard's spot.

 

[dviss1]

We disagree on 90% of things, but we both love the Eagles!?!

holy fuck

They'll be my team till Portland gets a home team.

Fly Eagles fly!

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

Meh. Wait til he takes Gabbard's spot.

It won't matter, he's equally terrible.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Too many immigrants don't understand that football and soccer are different sports. :MARIS61: