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NFL TV Ratings Down Big

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ashleys handfull

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Sep 18, 2005
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i lost interest a couple of years ago, got burnt out playing fantasy football. Games too long, too many commercials, too many flags, average QBs, RB carousels, players acting like idiots on and off field, screaming and hot dogging after every play, 6 hour long pregame shows, vomit inducing amount of coverage from ESPN, crappy prime time match ups, boring divisional play--I don't need to see the Patriots beat the crap out of the Jets/Dolphins/Bills 6 times a year, Bungles Browns twice a year etc etc. Really it's gotten to be the same games over and over just playing in different colored uniforms.
 
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pikespeak1

All-Conference
Nov 30, 2008
1,460
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kycatw\claws said:
i lost interest a couple of years ago, got burnt out playing fantasy football. Games too long, too many commercials, too many flags, average QBs, RB carousels, players acting like idiots on and off field, screaming and hot dogging after every play, 6 hour long pregame shows, vomit inducing amount of coverage from ESPN, crappy prime time match ups, boring divisional play--I don't need to see the Patriots beat the crap out of the Jets/Dolphins/Bills 6 times a year, Bungles Browns twice a year etc etc. Really it's gotten to be the same games over and over just playing in different colored uniforms.
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I will never watch it again.
 
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JDHoss

JDHoss

Heisman
Jan 1, 2003
16,462
40,037
113
* Cord cutters - I'm watching more NFL than ever, but not with cable.

* My stepson and several of his buddies pitch in and buy Sunday ticket every fall and watch the games.

* The sports bars here are packed on Sunday as well, cutting out more single viewers.
 
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T

Tskware

Heisman
Jan 26, 2003
25,151
21,763
113
There is a "bust" coming in college and pro sports, similar to the housing bust ten years ago. Nothing goes up forever, live attendance is down at many sports. DVR has made it easy to NOT watch any commercials - so where is the bang for the buck in advertising dollars?

One of these days, everyone at once is going to realize the Emperor has no clothes and will look around at the insane amounts of money spent on stadiums/coaches/players and wonder WTF we were thinking.
 
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BlueRaider22

All-American
Sep 24, 2003
15,562
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Ratings are down but it's still the highest rated sport by a large margin. But it's not as bad as it seems.

First, it's an election yr. NFL ratings always take a pretty good hit during an election yr. And this election has been considerably more of a circus than usual.

But a large part is due to the last CBA and rule changes. The new CBA reduced practice time by a large, large amount. The quality of play since the CBA during the first half of the yr has been very poor. The rule book continues to get more complicated and thicker. This is not only confusing but it makes games much longer.

Like others have said, commercials haven't helped either. A nice suggestion I heard involved running the commercials at times down in the corners of the screen while still showing play. They've started doing this a little with NASCAR. I'm ok with this as long as it's not a 100% non-stop ticker.
 
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T

TuckyFB

Heisman
Jun 21, 2016
8,223
21,275
65
NFL historically takes a hit during election years. It especially has in this one because how crazy it is.
 
T

truebluewildcat_rivals34254

All-American
Feb 21, 2006
8,403
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NFL is really going to have to start looking into a running clock like Soccer, as well as cutting all the unnecessary stoppage of play.

One huge reason Soccer is becoming so popular is that it fits the millennial schedule and entertainment pallet. It's over in 90 minutes and it is continuous activity with out a lot of stoppage for ref discussions, replay, changing play calls, switching formations, etc.

Same for the meteoric rise of UFC. Continuous activity/movement, and a match doesn't take very long, some are over real quick.

Younger generations don't want to sit around for 4 hours nor do they really want to plan an entire day or weekend around a singular event.
 
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M

mhroe1984

Heisman
Dec 16, 2007
14,060
10,627
0
kycatw\claws said:
i lost interest a couple of years ago, got burnt out playing fantasy football. Games too long, too many commercials, too many flags, average QBs, RB carousels, players acting like idiots on and off field, screaming and hot dogging after every play, 6 hour long pregame shows, vomit inducing amount of coverage from ESPN, crappy prime time match ups, boring divisional play--I don't need to see the Patriots beat the crap out of the Jets/Dolphins/Bills 6 times a year, Bungles Browns twice a year etc etc. Really it's gotten to be the same games over and over just playing in different colored uniforms.
Click to expand...

Couldn't agree more! The NFL has turned into pure crap. It's just boring football in my opinion. Analysts always talk about the "systems" different teams run but they're all exactly the same. There's no creativity in the offenses. It's basically just hand it off for a 2 yard run right into a pile of linemen.
 
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B

buster3.0

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Aug 10, 2009
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truebluewildcat said:
NFL is really going to have to start looking into a running clock like Soccer, as well as cutting all the unnecessary stoppage of play.

One huge reason Soccer is becoming so popular is that it fits the millennial schedule and entertainment pallet. It's over in 90 minutes and it is continuous activity with out a lot of stoppage for ref discussions, replay, changing play calls, switching formations, etc.

Same for the meteoric rise of UFC. Continuous activity/movement, and a match doesn't take very long, some are over real quick.

Younger generations don't want to sit around for 4 hours nor do they really want to plan an entire day or weekend around a singular event.
Click to expand...

NFL games are not nearly as slow as college games. NFL games typically stay under 4 hours consistently, and sometimes only last 3 hours. College games, OTOH, we have seen go as long as 5 hours this year. 4 hours plus for network games is the norm. At least the NFL doesn't stop the clock on every first down. Plus, I have never seen near the amount of commercials for an NFL game as I have on CBS for the SEC game of the week.
 
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A

assistbyhawkins

All-Conference
May 22, 2002
12,041
1,444
0
kycatw\claws said:
i lost interest a couple of years ago, got burnt out playing fantasy football. Games too long, too many commercials, too many flags, average QBs, RB carousels, players acting like idiots on and off field, screaming and hot dogging after every play, 6 hour long pregame shows, vomit inducing amount of coverage from ESPN, crappy prime time match ups, boring divisional play--I don't need to see the Patriots beat the crap out of the Jets/Dolphins/Bills 6 times a year, Bungles Browns twice a year etc etc. Really it's gotten to be the same games over and over just playing in different colored uniforms.
Click to expand...

Your opinion of the NFL doesnt bother in the least, I enjoy it because its obviously a much better quality of player and the matchups are more competitive, unlike college football. And I see some of you points. But anyone that is a fan of college football that bitches about the time of an NFL is not very smart. A college game is much longer than an NFL, its a statistical fact.

Keep in mind when they take the average of ALL college games, they are using all the games that arent even on TV every week, and there are a ton, which means the number should actually be HIGHER. If they only counted the televised college games it would be embarrassing.

http://www.wsj.com/articles/college-football-games-are-far-too-long-1473894842
 
A

ashleys handfull

Junior
Sep 18, 2005
413
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It's a variety of factors. The NFL pushes the election is why, but many polls say the number one reason is players kneeling.
 
ukalum1988

ukalum1988

Heisman
Dec 21, 2014
12,165
31,418
113
My uncle and I have split season tickets for the Colts for the past 8 or 9 years, and I am strongly leaning towards this being my last year of this arrangement.

My two boys just don't care for the Colts like they used to. My oldest son cried big-time when the Colts lost to the Saints in the Super Bowl back in 2009 (he was eight at the time). Now, neither one of them care all that much about the Colts and they certainly aren't emotionally invested like they used to be.

I used to "veg" in front of the TV for a full Sunday double-header but I seldom watch a game start to finish anymore unless it's a playoff game.

The drop in the ratings for NFL games has not gone un-noticed by the league. Many of the reasons have already been mentioned, but I think the NFL is driven by greed as they leave no potential revenue stream untapped if they can. The NFL is starting to become like the NBA to me, where I just won't pay a lot of attention to it until the playoffs start.
 
S

SWVA WildcatFan

Sophomore
Sep 12, 2002
5,240
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Roe07 said:
It's basically just hand it off for a 2 yard run right into a pile of linemen.
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I am watching a different game than you.Maybe teams that have no QB does that..49ers...But,without looking it up,I would think passing is more prevelent in most of the teams offensive game plan.
I dont see the soccer argument either....who watches MLS? I only watch soccer if a have a rooting interest,UK or USA soccer....I really dont think I have ever watched a soccer game/match otherwise.Of course,I am not a "millinnial" but not that far from it.

I don't know what the problem is if the ratings are down,but I just don't see running the ball or soccer as the problem.
 
A

ashleys handfull

Junior
Sep 18, 2005
413
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Ratings are down almost 12% overall from last year, prime time is plummeting--Thursday night 18%, Sunday night 19% Monday Night 24%
 
A

assistbyhawkins

All-Conference
May 22, 2002
12,041
1,444
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Roe07 said:
Couldn't agree more! The NFL has turned into pure crap. It's just boring football in my opinion. Analysts always talk about the "systems" different teams run but they're all exactly the same. There's no creativity in the offenses. It's basically just hand it off for a 2 yard run right into a pile of linemen.
Click to expand...

:joy::joy: Running the ball?? Yes, you are correct, you dont watch the NFL. The NFL has never been more of a passing league than it currently is. Its why there are rarely any RBs drafted in the first round anymore.

I do see the NFL having a problem in the next 5 to 10 years though due to the fact that college football does not develop QBs and nearly every team runs a read option with very little emphasis on passing the football and reading defenses.
 
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dgtatu01

All-Conference
Sep 21, 2005
8,673
2,622
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I think a big problem this year is lack of quality teams. With Manning gone and Brady out at the beginning of the year it just seemed like all the matchups kind of stunk. The prime time matchups have also been hot garbage so far as well. The They could go a long way towards fixing the desire to watch games by getting rid of the Thursday games. They suck real.bad and they leave a bad taste in your mouth for the whole week.
 
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Cawood86_rivals

Heisman
Feb 20, 2005
36,711
64,713
0
The NFL Network started the over exposure. Then ESPN became "another" NFL Network. They truly only cater to certain teams and cities. The pre-game and post game shows are ad nauseum. Just too much. The NFL shows all through the week. Add to all of that, the fans do not like players not respecting the National Anthem. Games on Sunday and Sunday night. Monday night. Thursday night. Good grief.
 
W

WeepNoMore

Junior
Jan 2, 2005
1,144
260
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kycatw\claws said:
i lost interest a couple of years ago, got burnt out playing fantasy football. Games too long, too many commercials, too many flags, average QBs, RB carousels, players acting like idiots on and off field, screaming and hot dogging after every play, 6 hour long pregame shows, vomit inducing amount of coverage from ESPN, crappy prime time match ups, boring divisional play--I don't need to see the Patriots beat the crap out of the Jets/Dolphins/Bills 6 times a year, Bungles Browns twice a year etc etc. Really it's gotten to be the same games over and over just playing in different colored uniforms.
Click to expand...

Gotta ask: What took you so long???

I quit watching Pro Sports of all kinds in the late 70s. Wouldn't walk across the street to see a pro team for free!!! And you know what: I don't think I've missed much at all!!!!!!:sunglasses:

Too many spoiled children in Pro Sports that think the rules don't apply to them!!!
 
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UKWinsAgainYep

All-Conference
Nov 11, 2014
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I only watch because I'm a huge Pats fan. I love watching Belichick coached teams. It's a work of art what he does every season.
 
T

TTU/UK fan

Heisman
Oct 5, 2011
7,081
17,897
113
JDHoss said:
* Cord cutters - I'm watching more NFL than ever, but not with cable.

* My stepson and several of his buddies pitch in and buy Sunday ticket every fall and watch the games.

* The sports bars here are packed on Sunday as well, cutting out more single viewers.
Click to expand...

Those reasons dont explain ratings going down that quick in one year. People have been doing all of that over the last several years.
 
S

School boy

All-Conference
Oct 29, 2007
5,506
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Teams in college can't play defense and they have a lack of stars to keep up with outside the 4 names you hear each year. Lots of blow outs, here's the case with my college and pro team.

With Kentucky I know we don't have a shot at beating teams like UT/UL/UF/A@M and the list goes on. Now while my pro team the 49ers are awful this year I FEEL THEY HAVE A SHOT AT WINNING ANY GAME, why? because in the NFL you never know and every team has a shot at even beating the best team on a Sunday.

Games are close and I can't miss a second of it.
 
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ULdave

Redshirt
May 29, 2001
898
18
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My anecdote.

I used to watch more NFL than college but got burned out on fantasy. Also the college product is so good right now that I spend all Saturday watching football so when Sunday rolls around I feel like I've got to do something other than football.
Another rant of mine is that NFL rosters are too small, it forces the game to focus to much on passing and protection schemes. It severely limits the game from its possibilities.
 
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railroadkat_1

Heisman
Mar 9, 2008
4,328
11,230
0
seccats04 said:
Collin. Kaepernick. Screw the NFL!! I'm not watching any of it. I'm not gonna make these crybabies richer by watching that crap. It's boring anyway. College is much more entertaining!
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It was started by Collin Kaepernick, and the Idiots that support him. Haven't watched a pro game this year and I''m proud of that, College sports are and know our Basketball Wildkats are entertaining. I'll take those every time with a great chance of collecting #9 !
 
K

Kooky Kats_anon

Heisman
Aug 17, 2002
25,741
46,563
0
The reason ratings are down is obvious...

It is directly attributed to the mountains of poorly written and highly annoying Peyton Manning commercials. Papa John Cupcakes, chicken parm, Lionel Richie can all get pumped in the tucchus.
 
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CB3UK

CB3UK

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Apr 15, 2012
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kycatw\claws said:
Ratings are down almost 12% overall from last year, prime time is plummeting--Thursday night 18%, Sunday night 19% Monday Night 24%
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Well lets see.....for me I work Monday morning, Tuesday morning, and Friday morning like most of America. I think that, combined with the overexposure the NFL has been seeing due to its success, means a lot of those matchups just arent priority TV for most people. Stay up til 11:30 or get a full 8 hours? Dont forget we have 9am Sunday games now too in London. Those evening matchups are generally crap and the whole unicolor uniform thing is moronic. Then you have an NFL that will let these idioits do their black lives matter bullcrap but refuses to let teams wear patches or stuff to honor fallen policemen. That sickens me how far off our country's priorities are.

Personally Saturday is football day and then the Bengals game on Sunday. Fiance is a Dolphins fan so om the few days we play at seperatw times it turns into an all day affair but otherwise I have a lot more interest lounging on Saturday and watching random games than Sunday where the NFL operates on a robotic level. People complain college takes too long, I complain that you can set your watch to an NFL game. As was mentioned above, any NFL team can win any game. I don't like that...and I do at the same time. Alabama should beat Kentucky. New England should beat Cleveland.
 
K

know1

Heisman
Dec 8, 2002
12,855
14,923
0
I like watching college football better, but the NFL games are much shorter and more efficient than the college games. That is the thing I like least about college.
 
7

77blueuk

Junior
Sep 4, 2007
208
236
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Tskware said:
There is a "bust" coming in college and pro sports, similar to the housing bust ten years ago. Nothing goes up forever, live attendance is down at many sports. DVR has made it easy to NOT watch any commercials - so where is the bang for the buck in advertising dollars?

One of these days, everyone at once is going to realize the Emperor has no clothes and will look around at the insane amounts of money spent on stadiums/coaches/players and wonder WTF we were thinking.
Click to expand...

This!! If it wasn't for the DVR; fast forward through commercials and half time, I wouldn't watch any sports other than UK football and basketball. It makes it so much more fun. Just record the game; start about an hour late; fast forward through the commercials; then catch up to live near the end of the game so you don't get those "how could we blow this game" texts that reveal who won; and so forth. You should try it.
 
M

Michigan Fan

All-Conference
Feb 18, 2003
9,872
2,274
62
know1 said:
I like watching college football better, but the NFL games are much shorter and more efficient than the college games. That is the thing I like least about college.
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Agreed...College Games are way longer and that includes the 20 minute College Halftime-(NFL is 12 Minutes). NFL games still rarely go over 3 Hours and 15 Minutes...you will be lucky if a College Game is played in 3 Hours and 30 minutes.
 
U

ukats22

Senior
Dec 24, 2007
1,785
706
0
All the excuses above for the rapid drop in viewership all were happening for years, so you would think the trend of decreasing audience would start subtlety.

But this is a huge number, and for me, the only answer would be the casual fan upset of how some players disrespect the flag by kneeling and how ownership, media and the nfl itself have treated the situation.

Thursday night football doesn't lose almost a third of its audience because of an electiion imo.

Dave
 
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