Fight, spin, stick your head in the sand. Do whatever you want. But here’s the Week 1 ratings. https://twitter.com/cnbcnow/status/1305938729635385346">https://twitter.com/cnbcnow/s...
Declines are even more eye opening when you consider:
a.) 2020, for first time ever, counts out of home viewing in ratings
b.) more than a million FANS who would normally be watching live in stadiums are home watching TV
Despite those two buoys...down https://www.outkick.com/full-nfl-week-1-ratings-breakdown-fox-up-for-brady-bucs-everyone-else-down-double-digits/">https://www.outkick.com/full-nfl-...
a.) 2020, for first time ever, counts out of home viewing in ratings
b.) more than a million FANS who would normally be watching live in stadiums are home watching TV
Despite those two buoys...down https://www.outkick.com/full-nfl-week-1-ratings-breakdown-fox-up-for-brady-bucs-everyone-else-down-double-digits/">https://www.outkick.com/full-nfl-...
Let’s explore why. Is it just an election year and ratings are always down in an election year as some contend?
Well, MNF is down dramatically in 2020 from 2016.
So...it’s not that. https://www.sportsmediawatch.com/2016/09/monday-night-football-ratings-down-doubleheader-espn/">https://www.sportsmediawatch.com/2016/09/m...
Well, MNF is down dramatically in 2020 from 2016.
So...it’s not that. https://www.sportsmediawatch.com/2016/09/monday-night-football-ratings-down-doubleheader-espn/">https://www.sportsmediawatch.com/2016/09/m...
Is it (another popular explanation) cable cord cutting?
Well, that would depress every cable network’s ratings, right?
Nope, cable news is setting all time records.
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/tv-ratings-cable-news-has-record-setting-second-quarter-1301220">https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed...
Well, that would depress every cable network’s ratings, right?
Nope, cable news is setting all time records.
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/tv-ratings-cable-news-has-record-setting-second-quarter-1301220">https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed...
Is it there are too many sporting options on tv and ratings are being cannibalized? Maybe.
I have my doubts. This is football we’re talking about. This is the NFL. This is king. And there are more people at home with less to do increasing potential audience.
But, it’s possible.
I have my doubts. This is football we’re talking about. This is the NFL. This is king. And there are more people at home with less to do increasing potential audience.
But, it’s possible.
I think five months of no sports “broke the habit” of watching sports for many people as their leisure activity.
Never underestimate the power of habit and COVID has destroyed habits.
I think that is contributing.
Never underestimate the power of habit and COVID has destroyed habits.
I think that is contributing.
Still...with all that...some sports are not just up but setting records. Like the PGA.
http://www.thefutoncritic.com/ratings/2020/08/25/cbs-sports-delivers-its-best-viewership-average-and-highest-rated-pga-tour-season-in-five-years-734412/20200825cbs02/">https://www.thefutoncritic.com/ratings/2...
http://www.thefutoncritic.com/ratings/2020/08/25/cbs-sports-delivers-its-best-viewership-average-and-highest-rated-pga-tour-season-in-five-years-734412/20200825cbs02/">https://www.thefutoncritic.com/ratings/2...
So...what does that leave? Oh yeah, that when you inject protest and politics into sports you turn off a big chunk of your audience. A pretty simple biz maxim that no one wants to admit.
(I don’t think this is the only reason but it is the major reason.) https://news.gallup.com/poll/319256/farming-rises-sports-tumbles-industry-ratings.aspx">https://news.gallup.com/poll/3192...
(I don’t think this is the only reason but it is the major reason.) https://news.gallup.com/poll/319256/farming-rises-sports-tumbles-industry-ratings.aspx">https://news.gallup.com/poll/3192...