Football Ratings Are Down

[muwarrior69]

Older Viewers and Conservatives Are Watching Less NFL, Survey Finds
Morning Consult survey also cites election coverage and over-saturation of prime-time games
Nov. 30, 2016 5:28 p.m. ET

http://www.wsj.com/articles/older-viewers-and-conservatives-are-watching-less-nfl-survey-finds-1480544927?mod=e2twcmo

Explanations for this year’s sagging National Football League TV ratings have ranged from competition with election coverage to an overload of prime-time games to impatience with commercials.

A survey of 2,088 people by Morning Consult finds evidence for all those theories. It also shows declines in viewership among older viewers and those with conservative political views.

As for political leanings, conservatives are watching less football this season compared to last season versus other political groups. Some 28% of conservatives said they were watching some or much less NFL, versus 20% for moderates and 16% for liberals.

The survey did not explore why older and conservative viewers might be losing more interest than other groups this season and whether protests by players during the playing of the national anthem are a factor.

Older viewers cited political coverage less frequently than their younger counterparts as playing a part in their decision to not watch football.

After this election I'm dubious of any survey or poll; and that is pretty sad.

[GGGG]

After this election I'm dubious of any survey or poll; and that is pretty sad.

I'm with you.  The first thing I always do is check out who is conducting the poll and what their motivations might be.

[Tugg Speedman]

Do not disagree with your skepticism of polls.

That said, this poll "all of the above" is hurting NFL ratings.  So no reason, instead it is every reason.

I'm not sure what to make of that.

[Herman Cain]

Do not disagree with your skepticism of polls.

That said, this poll "all of the above" is hurting NFL ratings.  So no reason, instead it is every reason.

I'm not sure what to make of that.

NFL was great when it was solely about football. Obviously lots of issues.

I also believe the production values have to go back to a more old school approach when it was all about the kind. Things are too high tech and glamorized and it loses the sheer essence of the guts and glory of the sport.

Many years ago each division in the NFL had its own distinct personality that the viewers knew and embraced. The announcers and game production really keyed off all of that.  If you were a fan of one team in a division you knew all the other players on the other teams even their lineman. It was a better sport to watch.

In summary the sport is less appealing to the customer. It needs to go back to its roots.

[GGGG]

NFL was great when it was solely about football. Obviously lots of issues.

I also believe the production values have to go back to a more old school approach when it was all about the kind. Things are too high tech and glamorized and it loses the sheer essence of the guts and glory of the sport.

Many years ago each division in the NFL had its own distinct personality that the viewers knew and embraced. The announcers and game production really keyed off all of that.  If you were a fan of one team in a division you knew all the other players on the other teams even their lineman. It was a better sport to watch.

In summary the sport is less appealing to the customer. It needs to go back to its roots.

Like what?  Give me an example of what you are talking about.

[Eldon]

Director of the Seton Hall poll:

https://www.yahoo.com/finance/video/pollster-kaepernick-protests-hurting-nfl-194544844.html

Here's the tl;dr: Protests are a factor, not the factor.  Thinks people used poll as a chance to air their displeasure with the protests.  Thinks the quality of the product has gone done.  That's the biggest factor, in his opinion.

[MU82]

This just in ...

Ratings tick up for Thursday football toward season's end

Thursday Night Football has ended for the year, and ended well for NBC, with its share of the schedule averaging 17M viewers.

That's up from the CBS' five-game portion earlier in the season, which averaged 14.7M viewers but competed with a heavily watched U.S. presidential election. NBC's games came after the election was over.

NBC and CBS split a season of broadcasts that were simulcast on the NFL Network and on Twitter. For Twitter's part, the average minute audience was 220,000 viewers, significantly smaller than the linear broadcast numbers.

Football ratings were down 14% Y/Y in the early part of the season, prompting networks to give make-goods to advertisers.

Despite criticism from various angles, the NFL denied speculation that it would back off from the weeknight: "We are fully committed to Thursday Night Football and any reports to the contrary are unfounded."

[Sir Lawrence]

TV Ratings: NFL Playoff Tops World Series, Best Telecast Since Super Bowl


http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/tv-ratings-nfl-playoff-tops-world-series-best-telecast-super-bowl-964486

http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/packers-cowboys-divisional-round-ratings-history-20-years-highest-011617

The Cowboy fan base is incredible.....

[MU82]

TV Ratings: NFL Playoff Tops World Series, Best Telecast Since Super Bowl


http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/tv-ratings-nfl-playoff-tops-world-series-best-telecast-super-bowl-964486

http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/packers-cowboys-divisional-round-ratings-history-20-years-highest-011617

The Cowboy fan base is incredible.....

This is impossible.

Smuggles says nobody ever will watch another NFL game because of Kaepernick.

[GB Warrior]

TV Ratings: NFL Playoff Tops World Series, Best Telecast Since Super Bowl


http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/tv-ratings-nfl-playoff-tops-world-series-best-telecast-super-bowl-964486

http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/packers-cowboys-divisional-round-ratings-history-20-years-highest-011617

The Cowboy fan base is incredible.....

The historical success of GB-DAL was offset by the other 3 game, for an overall decline in ratings this year. Part of that is the crap show that was Houston and the fact that ATL-SEA quickly developed into a laugher.

This should all be taken with a grain of salt, because the NFL is STILL enjoying ratings that every other league would kill for. I still think they need to reinvest and bolster their current offering rather than look for new markets, but I doubt it will happen. We have slowed the pace of safety initiatives a little bit, where they all feel a bit more common sense, so that helps. Let them celebrate and players may have fun again.

[forgetful]

The historical success of GB-DAL was offset by the other 3 game, for an overall decline in ratings this year. Part of that is the crap show that was Houston and the fact that ATL-SEA quickly developed into a laugher.

This should all be taken with a grain of salt, because the NFL is STILL enjoying ratings that every other league would kill for. I still think they need to reinvest and bolster their current offering rather than look for new markets, but I doubt it will happen. We have slowed the pace of safety initiatives a little bit, where they all feel a bit more common sense, so that helps. Let them celebrate and players may have fun again.

GB-DAL is a dream game.  Two of the top 4 fan bases (really the top 2 fan bases).  Expect to see ratings for NE-Pitt also huge (3 and 4 fan bases).

Ideal Super Bowl fan base wise is GB-NE, with GB-Pitt a close second. 

[Tugg Speedman]

This is impossible.

Smuggles says nobody ever will watch another NFL game because of Kaepernick.

And Kaps knee, the controversy around it, had nothing to do with this.  Just a coincidence, right?

EXCLUSIVE: Lady Gaga Asked Not to Talk About Politics, Donald Trump During Super Bowl Halftime Show, Source Says

http://www.etonline.com/news/207705_exclusive_lady_gaga_instructed_not_to_talk_about_politics_donald_trump_during_super_bowl_halftime_show/

hen Lady Gaga hits the Super Bowl stage, at least one subject will be off limits: Politics.

A source close to the halftime show tells ET, "Lady Gaga was told by the NFL that she cannot say anything or bring anything up about the election, or mention Donald Trump."

A rep for the NFL calls this "nonsense from people trying to stir up controversy where there is none."

"The Super Bowl is a time when people really come together," the NFL's statement continues. "Lady Gaga is focused on putting together an amazing show for fans and we love working with her on it; we aren’t going to be distracted by this."

[MU82]

And Kaps knee, the controversy around it, had nothing to do with this.  Just a coincidence, right?

EXCLUSIVE: Lady Gaga Asked Not to Talk About Politics, Donald Trump During Super Bowl Halftime Show, Source Says

http://www.etonline.com/news/207705_exclusive_lady_gaga_instructed_not_to_talk_about_politics_donald_trump_during_super_bowl_halftime_show/

hen Lady Gaga hits the Super Bowl stage, at least one subject will be off limits: Politics.

A source close to the halftime show tells ET, "Lady Gaga was told by the NFL that she cannot say anything or bring anything up about the election, or mention Donald Trump."

A rep for the NFL calls this "nonsense from people trying to stir up controversy where there is none."

"The Super Bowl is a time when people really come together," the NFL's statement continues. "Lady Gaga is focused on putting together an amazing show for fans and we love working with her on it; we aren’t going to be distracted by this."

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Honestly think it has more to do with Streep than Colin.

[brandx]

And Kaps knee, the controversy around it, had nothing to do with this.  Just a coincidence, right?

EXCLUSIVE: Lady Gaga Asked Not to Talk About Politics, Donald Trump During Super Bowl Halftime Show, Source Says

http://www.etonline.com/news/207705_exclusive_lady_gaga_instructed_not_to_talk_about_politics_donald_trump_during_super_bowl_halftime_show/

hen Lady Gaga hits the Super Bowl stage, at least one subject will be off limits: Politics.

A source close to the halftime show tells ET, "Lady Gaga was told by the NFL that she cannot say anything or bring anything up about the election, or mention Donald Trump."

A rep for the NFL calls this "nonsense from people trying to stir up controversy where there is none."

"The Super Bowl is a time when people really come together," the NFL's statement continues. "Lady Gaga is focused on putting together an amazing show for fans and we love working with her on it; we aren’t going to be distracted by this."

Are you trying to inject politics into every thread?

[rocket surgeon]

  "A rep for the NFL calls this "nonsense from people trying to stir up controversy where there is none."


  the nfl would be incredibly ignorant NOT to tell whoever they put on stage to ZIP -IT.  just like if they had any reason, God forbid, to put lena dunham on for the half time show, they should be telling her the same thing, along with giving her a dress code. NO ONE wants to see any more of that body than they absolutely have to

[Tugg Speedman]

  "A rep for the NFL calls this "nonsense from people trying to stir up controversy where there is none."


  the nfl would be incredibly ignorant NOT to tell whoever they put on stage to ZIP -IT.  just like if they had any reason, God forbid, to put lena dunham on for the half time show, they should be telling her the same thing, along with giving her a dress code. NO ONE wants to see any more of that body than they absolutely have to

The NFL is very involved in all half-time shows.  They manage the hell out of this issue.  They always have and always will.  Laughable to think this issue has not come up.

That is why they chose the words above, they deflected and did not answer the question.  They don't want to say they are muzzling her, but did say they did not either.

And regarding political, I don't care who the president is, or what the politics of the performers are.  Events like the Superbowl are escapes from these issues and dragging them in is a very bad idea ... period.

[Benny B]

Are you trying to inject politics into every thread?

Mods: can we get an IP check on Yukon Corny and Brandy?  The latter accusing the former of injecting politics seems very chicoloop, ifyaknowhatimean.

[GGGG]

The NFL is very involved in all half-time shows.  They manage the hell out of this issue.  They always have and always will.  Laughable to think this issue has not come up.

That is why they chose the words above, they deflected and did not answer the question.  They don't want to say they are muzzling her, but did say they did not either.

And regarding political, I don't care who the president is, or what the politics of the performers are.  Events like the Superbowl are escapes from these issues and dragging them in is a very bad idea ... period.

My guess is that there is a clause in her contract where she doesn't get paid if she does.

She may do so anyway. 

[MerrittsMustache]

My guess is that there is a clause in her contract where she doesn't get paid if she does.

She may do so anyway.

SB Halftime performers don't get paid. The NFL pays production costs only. Perhaps, they'd put in a clause making her pay that sum (at least a half-mil) if she goes rogue 

[Spotcheck Billy]

Events like the Superbowl are escapes from these issues and dragging them in is a very bad idea ... period.

Now if only Scoop can be an escape like the SB.

[Tugg Speedman]

My guess is that there is a clause in her contract where she doesn't get paid if she does.

She may do so anyway.

The NFL does not pay the halftime act.  They do it for the exposure alone, which can mean millions in sales and concert ticket sales.

[GGGG]

The NFL does not pay the halftime act.  They do it for the exposure alone, which can mean millions in sales and concert ticket sales.

Which likely would not be harmed by a political statement.  May even be enhanced.

[Tugg Speedman]

Now if only Scoop can be an escape like the SB.

It is ... tons of threads that have no politics at all ... stay there.

[Tugg Speedman]

Which likely would not be harmed by a political statement.  May even be enhanced.

and if the halftime was Kanye West with guests Kid Rock and Ted Nugent, all Trump supporters, and their was talk/rumors that would give their political statements, I doubt you would think that enhances your halftime show experience.

Remember Michael Jordan's line about why he stayed out of politics ..."republicans buy air Jordans too."  No political statement enhances any non-political broadcast.  They are always worse when politics are injected into them.