NFL Draft NFL Excuses Run Out After Ratings Declines Continue - Page 6

Eleazar · 11-03-2017, 05:07 AM

NFL's Litany of Excuses Runs Out After Ratings Fall for Second Year

By Lucas Shaw
Bloomberg.com
November 2, 2017, 11:30 AM CDT

TV networks are running out of excuses for the dwindling popularity of the National Football League.

They blamed the election for ratings declines last year, and hurricanes for a soft week one in September. Protests during the national anthem, and President Donald Trump’s criticism of the league, have faded from the headlines.

Advertisers are starting to believe a different explanation: the viewers aren’t coming back. Audiences are down an average 7 percent from a year ago through the first eight weeks of the season, excluding last Monday. That’s on top of a decrease of about 8 percent last season that spurred numerous changes in the broadcasts, from shorter commercials to better matchups earlier in the year.

“There’s just not as many people watching TV the way they used to watch TV,” said Jeremy Carey, managing director of Optimum Sports, a sports marketing agency. “It’s going to be an issue for advertisers when they can’t reach a large-scale audience the way they have.”

With CBS Corp., 21st Century Fox Inc. and Walt Disney Co. set to report earnings in the next few days, analysts are bound to raise questions. These companies have used the popularity of the games to extract additional fees from cable operators, promote other shows on their networks and sell lots of commercials. Pro football games drew about $3.5 billion in ad spending last year, including the postseason, according to SMI Media Inc.

Media companies have spent billions of dollars on the right to air football games, which had been immune to the erosion of viewership for other TV programming. Audiences for TV networks have diminished for years as the growing popularity of online alternatives Netflix and YouTube and the availability of most shows on-demand have reduced the appeal of dramas and comedies. Live TV, like sports, was supposed to be immune, but that theory looks highly questionable now.

Ratings for the NFL suggest the same societal trends are now affecting the league, even if the declines aren’t as dramatic. The drop in game viewership ranges from 5 percent for NBC’s “Sunday Night Football” to 11 percent for the CBS Sunday package. “Monday Night Football,” on Disney’s ESPN, has attracted more fans this year than a year ago, but the numbers are still down from 2015.

Viewership of the four main broadcast networks fell 8.7 percent last year, and 12 percent among adults 18 to 49, an important demographic for advertisers.

CBS’s 11 percent slump for NFL games is the steepest of the networks. Its parent company, which reports earnings after the close Thursday, is more vulnerable than rivals to the trend because the vast majority of its earnings come from the broadcast network. The declines at CBS reinforce a complaint that has gotten louder and louder in recent weeks: The league got greedy in adding the Thursday night game on broadcast.

Reserving top games for Thursday night robbed other time periods of good match-ups. After a nosedive in ratings at “Monday Night Football” last season, the league has scheduled better games for that time period, further damaging Sunday afternoon.

“Ratings declines on both general entertainment and NFL programming could be the single biggest point of focus for investors this quarter, and we’re not sure what media companies can say about the health and tone of the ad market to assuage fears,” Steven Cahall, an analyst with RBC Capital Markets, wrote in a note last month.

Viewership is dropping fast among people under 54 -- a key demographic for advertisers -- and even faster among those 18 to 34. Audiences for games on CBS, NBC and Fox have slid at least 10 percent among that younger cohort.

Advertisers aren’t abandoning the NFL, one of the only places they can still reach more than 10 million people at once. But they are growing concerned. John Schnatter, who appears in TV spots on behalf of his Papa John’s Pizza International Inc., laid into the league on a conference call this week, blaming the ratings for his company’s slow revenue growth and calling for the league to put an end to player protests.

Networks and other advertisers identify a wide range of reasons for the NFL’s struggles. The league has overexposed itself by making highlights available on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and Snapchat. Identifiable stars like Peyton Manning and Aaron Rodgers have either retired or gotten hurt. The quality of play has deteriorated. Player protests and concussions have driven away some fans.

Some executives argue viewership of the league has still improved over the long term while dropping for every other show. Yet the amount of time people have spent watching football this season is at the lowest point since 2011, back when there were fewer televised games, according to Mike Mulvihill, Fox Sports’ head of research.

“The cumulative effect of everything happening in the world at large is having an impact on NFL viewership,” Mulvihill said. “ The league was defying the laws of gravity.”

BigCatDaddy · 11-03-2017, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TinyEvel

Do you know anyone, ANYONE, who has said “I’m not going to watch NFL games any more because of the player protests.”
It’s purely due to viewing habits/online.

Some and some only watch Chief games now. It has had an impact for sure.

Simply Red · 11-03-2017, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fish

Yeah. More than a few. I've even got a friend on Facebook that was leaving comments anytime someone posted about watching NFL games trying to shame them into not watching. Which went over well...

I know two as well - one will still watch his teams' game - but that's it.

ModSocks · 11-03-2017, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -King-

Name one sport whose ratings didn't go down.

I don't get why people are trying to make it just the NFLs problem as if other leagues aren't seeing falling ratings. I don't understand why no one is mentioning the rise of DVR and cord cutting/streaming as the major cause for falling ratings. I've watched every single Monday night genre this season and all of them were by stream.

Until they figure out a new metric for ratings, we're going to keep seeing falling ratings for tv shows, especially live events
Posted via Mobile Device

The only one's really denying this are conservatives that want to believe it's due to players kneeling...and Trump.

Anyone with half a ****ing brain can see what's occurring here.

ForeverChiefs58 · 11-03-2017, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TinyEvel

Do you know anyone, ANYONE, who has said “I’m not going to watch NFL games any more because of the player protests.”
It’s purely due to viewing habits/online.

Type in “nfl burn notice“ on YouTube and see how many fans burn gear, tickets etc and swear off the NFL.

Fans from different teams burning their NFL stuff.

Every male on my block won’t even watch the NFL anymore. I went from watching every game possible to only watching the chiefs. Kneeling has caused a big fan base to turn elsewhere. No surprise viewing is down.

My neighborhood had a Halloween party and everyone was talking about they don’t even watch Monday night football anymore.

I have to watch because oh sure now the Chiefs will make it to the SB and no one will be watching or care lol

cosmo20002 · 11-03-2017, 12:56 PM

A lot of grumpy old man complaining in here. Not sure why the average fan gives a shit about TV ratings in the first place.

Don't want to watch the Thursday night game? Then don't watch. No need to be pissed that it is taking place. The NFL will quit playing Thursday when they decide it isn't financially beneficial for them.

Complaining about too many penalties...you want them to call penalties or not?

The refs are the same as they always were. Replay and a million hi-def slo-mo angles just makes it easier to see the slightest thing they missed and have plays overturned.

vailpass · 11-03-2017, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cosmo20002

A lot of grumpy old man complaining in here. Not sure why the average fan gives a shit about TV ratings in the first place.

Don't want to watch the Thursday night game? Then don't watch. No need to be pissed that it is taking place. The NFL will quit playing Thursday when they decide it isn't financially beneficial for them.

Complaining about too many penalties...you want them to call penalties or not?

The refs are the same as they always were. Replay and a million hi-def slo-mo angles just makes it easier to see the slightest thing they missed and have plays overturned.

Shut the **** up.

jimidollar · 11-03-2017, 01:53 PM

People are tired of seeing the Patriots win every ****ing year. Shit gets old.

BigCatDaddy · 11-03-2017, 02:06 PM

The people saying the protest isnt having an effect are the same ones that said Kap wouldnt be viewed as toxic and have no trouble finding a job.

**DaneMcCloud** · 11-03-2017, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigCatDaddy

The people saying the protest isnt having an effect are the same ones that said Kap wouldnt be viewed as toxic and have no trouble finding a job.

It's not having an effect on Chiefs fans, as the Chiefs ratings are up.

BigCatDaddy · 11-03-2017, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

It's not having an effect on Chiefs fans, as the Chiefs ratings are up.

Those are pretty much the only ones I watch. I track scores and fantasy info on my phone.

And if KC was 2-6 I probably wouldn't watch them either.

sedated · 11-03-2017, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigCatDaddy

The people saying the protest isnt having an effect are the same ones that said Kap wouldnt be viewed as toxic and have no trouble finding a job.

Greg Hardy got a job. Leonard Little got a job.

I don't think it was mere stupidity that developed the opinion Kaep would have no trouble playing again, just ignorance to how NFL teams/fans can easily overlook a wife-beater and virtually any other violent crime but ostracize a player who is perceived as disrespecting a symbol.

BigCatDaddy · 11-03-2017, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sedated

Greg Hardy got a job. Leonard Little got a job.

I don't think it was mere stupidity that developed the opinion Kaep would have no trouble playing again, just ignorance to how NFL teams/fans can easily overlook a wife-beater and virtually any other violent crime but ostracize a player who is perceived as disrespecting a symbol.

The difference is having isolated incidents and week after week pissing of the fan base.

If a player showed up and beat his wife in front of the fans before the game each week you might have an arguement.

**jjchieffan** · 11-03-2017, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClevelandBronco

Might be due in part to the fact that the Broncos suck Kevin Spacey ass this season, but I'm missing more games and just checking scores after the games are over. Turns out that I've seen enough football to know who the league wants to win without watching a game as it's happening.

I'm not pissed. I'm not protesting. I'm not boycotting. I'm just a little bored by the fact that the Donks are not currently a favored team getting all the breaks.

FYP

chiefzilla1501 · 11-03-2017, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ForeverChiefs58

Type in “nfl burn notice“ on YouTube and see how many fans burn gear, tickets etc and swear off the NFL.

Fans from different teams burning their NFL stuff.

Every male on my block won’t even watch the NFL anymore. I went from watching every game possible to only watching the chiefs. Kneeling has caused a big fan base to turn elsewhere. No surprise viewing is down.

My neighborhood had a Halloween party and everyone was talking about they don’t even watch Monday night football anymore.

I have to watch because oh sure now the Chiefs will make it to the SB and no one will be watching or care lol

I have lots of friends who barely watch the nfl too after years of being a diehard and they don't give a shit about protests. The kids... Even worse. They'd rather play video games or play with their phones. I'm sure its been a factor but not nearly as big as its made out to be. What's the explanation for nascars atrocious ratings? Or the NBA.

Stewie · 11-03-2017, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiefnj2

3 biggest markets:
1. NY - Giants are abysmal and everyone wrote off the Jets before the season started.
2. SF/Oakland - One horrible team, one team moving.
3. Chicago - poor team.

I think you need to readjust the definition of "biggest markets." Two that you mention aren't in the top 3 markets that have NFL teams.

11-03-2017, 05:07 AM
Eleazar Beyond the Rapids Join Date: May 2003 Location: Langley, VA Casino cash: $-370000	NFL Excuses Run Out After Ratings Declines Continue NFL's Litany of Excuses Runs Out After Ratings Fall for Second Year By Lucas Shaw Bloomberg.com November 2, 2017, 11:30 AM CDT TV networks are running out of excuses for the dwindling popularity of the National Football League. They blamed the election for ratings declines last year, and hurricanes for a soft week one in September. Protests during the national anthem, and President Donald Trump’s criticism of the league, have faded from the headlines. Advertisers are starting to believe a different explanation: the viewers aren’t coming back. Audiences are down an average 7 percent from a year ago through the first eight weeks of the season, excluding last Monday. That’s on top of a decrease of about 8 percent last season that spurred numerous changes in the broadcasts, from shorter commercials to better matchups earlier in the year. “There’s just not as many people watching TV the way they used to watch TV,” said Jeremy Carey, managing director of Optimum Sports, a sports marketing agency. “It’s going to be an issue for advertisers when they can’t reach a large-scale audience the way they have.” With CBS Corp., 21st Century Fox Inc. and Walt Disney Co. set to report earnings in the next few days, analysts are bound to raise questions. These companies have used the popularity of the games to extract additional fees from cable operators, promote other shows on their networks and sell lots of commercials. Pro football games drew about $3.5 billion in ad spending last year, including the postseason, according to SMI Media Inc. Media companies have spent billions of dollars on the right to air football games, which had been immune to the erosion of viewership for other TV programming. Audiences for TV networks have diminished for years as the growing popularity of online alternatives Netflix and YouTube and the availability of most shows on-demand have reduced the appeal of dramas and comedies. Live TV, like sports, was supposed to be immune, but that theory looks highly questionable now. Ratings for the NFL suggest the same societal trends are now affecting the league, even if the declines aren’t as dramatic. The drop in game viewership ranges from 5 percent for NBC’s “Sunday Night Football” to 11 percent for the CBS Sunday package. “Monday Night Football,” on Disney’s ESPN, has attracted more fans this year than a year ago, but the numbers are still down from 2015. Viewership of the four main broadcast networks fell 8.7 percent last year, and 12 percent among adults 18 to 49, an important demographic for advertisers. CBS’s 11 percent slump for NFL games is the steepest of the networks. Its parent company, which reports earnings after the close Thursday, is more vulnerable than rivals to the trend because the vast majority of its earnings come from the broadcast network. The declines at CBS reinforce a complaint that has gotten louder and louder in recent weeks: The league got greedy in adding the Thursday night game on broadcast. Reserving top games for Thursday night robbed other time periods of good match-ups. After a nosedive in ratings at “Monday Night Football” last season, the league has scheduled better games for that time period, further damaging Sunday afternoon. “Ratings declines on both general entertainment and NFL programming could be the single biggest point of focus for investors this quarter, and we’re not sure what media companies can say about the health and tone of the ad market to assuage fears,” Steven Cahall, an analyst with RBC Capital Markets, wrote in a note last month. Viewership is dropping fast among people under 54 -- a key demographic for advertisers -- and even faster among those 18 to 34. Audiences for games on CBS, NBC and Fox have slid at least 10 percent among that younger cohort. Advertisers aren’t abandoning the NFL, one of the only places they can still reach more than 10 million people at once. But they are growing concerned. John Schnatter, who appears in TV spots on behalf of his Papa John’s Pizza International Inc., laid into the league on a conference call this week, blaming the ratings for his company’s slow revenue growth and calling for the league to put an end to player protests. Networks and other advertisers identify a wide range of reasons for the NFL’s struggles. The league has overexposed itself by making highlights available on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and Snapchat. Identifiable stars like Peyton Manning and Aaron Rodgers have either retired or gotten hurt. The quality of play has deteriorated. Player protests and concussions have driven away some fans. Some executives argue viewership of the league has still improved over the long term while dropping for every other show. Yet the amount of time people have spent watching football this season is at the lowest point since 2011, back when there were fewer televised games, according to Mike Mulvihill, Fox Sports’ head of research. “The cumulative effect of everything happening in the world at large is having an impact on NFL viewership,” Mulvihill said. “ The league was defying the laws of gravity.”
Posts: 80,659

11-03-2017, 12:56 PM	#80
cosmo20002 Debunking your bullshit Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: KC area Casino cash: $5220315	A lot of grumpy old man complaining in here. Not sure why the average fan gives a shit about TV ratings in the first place. Don't want to watch the Thursday night game? Then don't watch. No need to be pissed that it is taking place. The NFL will quit playing Thursday when they decide it isn't financially beneficial for them. Complaining about too many penalties...you want them to call penalties or not? The refs are the same as they always were. Replay and a million hi-def slo-mo angles just makes it easier to see the slightest thing they missed and have plays overturned. Last edited by cosmo20002; 11-03-2017 at 01:01 PM..
Posts: 52,592	1 2

11-03-2017, 01:53 PM	#82
jimidollar MVP Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Texas Casino cash: $10021632	People are tired of seeing the Patriots win every ****ing year. Shit gets old. __________________ -------------------- "I will have my glory day in the hot sun."- Nacho
Posts: 5,705	1 0

11-03-2017, 02:06 PM	#83
BigCatDaddy The Beast Inside Your Head Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Parts Unknown Casino cash: $2049122	The people saying the protest isnt having an effect are the same ones that said Kap wouldnt be viewed as toxic and have no trouble finding a job.
Posts: 25,858