NFL Ratings Down - Page 2

The Moekid · #11 10-07-2016, 10:18 AM

Could be. Quality, concussion, anthem...

"The quality of the early-season matchups could be an issue, due in large part to a lesser number of star players on great teams. Peyton Manning has retired, Tom Brady is suspended (his team nevertheless had two of its first three games televised nationally), and some of the best quarterbacks remain largely unknown and/or unaccomplished.
The concussion crisis, and the reality that football has become the pin cushion for criticism even though plenty of sports and other activities entail a risk of head injuries, likely has caused some fans to feel guilty about watching or enjoying football. In turn, the league’s efforts to make the game safer probably has influenced others who want big hits and who don’t care about the physical consequences to lose interest.
Some are suggesting that the anthem protests are causing fans to boycott the NFL, but it’s hard to see a connection between the objections to the behavior of a small group of players and the decision of significant numbers of fans to deprive themselves of something they enjoy. The NFL has made its position on the anthem clear, and the vast majority of players continue to stand at attention."

Other reasons:

"Meanwhile, viewing habits have changed, dramatically. The younger generation no longer congregates around a large box; they carry small ones everywhere they go, constantly staring at them like zombies peering in to a sardine can full of brains. Many members of Generation Z don’t feel compelled to take the time to witness the flow of a game, the shifts in momentum, the nuances that set the stage for game-changing moments in the fourth quarter. They just want the highlights and the stats, so that they can see how their favorite team and, perhaps more importantly, their fantasy team performed.
Speaking of fantasy football, consider the perspective of kids who were born after the rise of what once was a collateral consideration to traditional rooting interests. With the pieces of a fantasy team spread over various NFL franchises, plenty of fans may not have the same zeal about one specific team, with the us-against-the-world mindset inherent to pre-fantasy fans fully undermined by the reality that, for example, an ardent Panthers fan may have Saints quarterback Drew Brees on his fantasy team."

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...ewership-down/

charger1_sj · #12 10-07-2016, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Moekid

Could be. Quality, concussion, anthem...

"The quality of the early-season matchups could be an issue, due in large part to a lesser number of star players on great teams. Peyton Manning has retired, Tom Brady is suspended (his team nevertheless had two of its first three games televised nationally), and some of the best quarterbacks remain largely unknown and/or unaccomplished.
The concussion crisis, and the reality that football has become the pin cushion for criticism even though plenty of sports and other activities entail a risk of head injuries, likely has caused some fans to feel guilty about watching or enjoying football. In turn, the league’s efforts to make the game safer probably has influenced others who want big hits and who don’t care about the physical consequences to lose interest.
Some are suggesting that the anthem protests are causing fans to boycott the NFL, but it’s hard to see a connection between the objections to the behavior of a small group of players and the decision of significant numbers of fans to deprive themselves of something they enjoy. The NFL has made its position on the anthem clear, and the vast majority of players continue to stand at attention."

Other reasons:

"Meanwhile, viewing habits have changed, dramatically. The younger generation no longer congregates around a large box; they carry small ones everywhere they go, constantly staring at them like zombies peering in to a sardine can full of brains. Many members of Generation Z don’t feel compelled to take the time to witness the flow of a game, the shifts in momentum, the nuances that set the stage for game-changing moments in the fourth quarter. They just want the highlights and the stats, so that they can see how their favorite team and, perhaps more importantly, their fantasy team performed.
Speaking of fantasy football, consider the perspective of kids who were born after the rise of what once was a collateral consideration to traditional rooting interests. With the pieces of a fantasy team spread over various NFL franchises, plenty of fans may not have the same zeal about one specific team, with the us-against-the-world mindset inherent to pre-fantasy fans fully undermined by the reality that, for example, an ardent Panthers fan may have Saints quarterback Drew Brees on his fantasy team."

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...ewership-down/

I think all the other reasons given above are long term trends. The ratings are down this year and it's due to the NFL's decision not to discipline Kaepernick and Co. actions. Lots of pissed off folks. We're also in an election year and the race to the White House is more contentious than it's ever been, which means it quite entertaining for some people.

I see the ratings going back to normal by the December time frame when the POs loom and things start to get interesting.

Bigbirdsd · #13 10-07-2016, 10:42 AM

It's the presentation... College football is doing well, but the NFL has destroyed the products by putting their opinion on every aspect of the game.
I'm not a fan of players celebrating every play, but TD celebrations are fine.
I'm not a fan of players getting involved in penalty opinions, the only player who should talk to the ref is the captain when they ask him if he wants to accept the penalty or not.
I'm a fan of old fashioned smash mouth football and respect for the team aspect of the game not the look what I did generation.
And lastly, the announcers, the camera angles and sideline reporters are killing me. I want to see the pre snap motion, I want to read the blitz, I don't need to see a close up of the QB's face while he is calling out signals.
I know I would get all this if I went to more games, but the NFL doesn't care if I'm in the stands, they only care that I watch on TV, watch the commercials and buy their products. Stadiums are built for the corporate world where they can do business on Sundays in their little glass suites and not even know who is playing.
I want a Red Sox, Cubs World series, baseball is still the best game to watch on TV and in person.

The Moekid · #14 10-07-2016, 11:15 AM

Of course, for many charger fans the games just make them sick so they stopped watching

Chargerfreak · #15 10-07-2016, 11:37 AM

Brady and Gronk will drive the ratings going forward.

Especially Brady. That is all.

marion butts · #16 10-07-2016, 11:48 AM

chargers suck, ratings drop.

woodeye2000 · #17 10-07-2016, 12:23 PM

Gronk's hammy is tighter than Joey's.

dtm · #18 10-07-2016, 12:24 PM

1. elections, 2. TNF games have sucked for the past like 5+ years, 3. NFL is drama, yes, but it's same ol' drama, 4. Brady hasnt been playing (ok, jk)

LongTimeOCBolts · #19 10-07-2016, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Moekid

Or the product just isn't any good:

Cardinals-49ers stinker was exactly what ratings-poor NFL didn’t need

Now we know the real reason why the NFL is threatening to fine teams for broadcasting too much game video online. Watching Thursday night’s game between the Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers was all the proof we needed. . . . .

There isn’t an enticing Thursday matchup until after Thanksgiving. And the league is wondering why the numbers are down? That one — one of many. More than one of which was on display in this stinker. . . . http://sports.yahoo.com/news/cardina...033204099.html

What morooon. Doesn't even know that the Mighty Chargers play on TNF before Thanksgiving.