NFL Draft NFL Excuses Run Out After Ratings Declines Continue - Page 25

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.”

GloryDayz · 01-15-2018, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Couch-Potato

Seems like a few things to me...

1) Concussions. More scrutiny on head injuries has lead to less interest from parents in allowing their children to play football, and likely watch football. The additional safety measures taken now during the game, and rule changes to protect the offense, have lead to a less violent league further reducing viewers who tuned in for controlled violence.

2) Advertising in the NFL has reached its ceiling. You simply can't take anymore commercial breaks or stuff anymore possible advertising into the games, they're filled to the brim. Growth will not continue at traditional rates any further.

Quality post. I'd add that the shear favoritism towards the offense and more scoring have some of us even more turned-off. And I'd ask what has the offense had taken away from them under the heading of player safety?

Al Bundy · 01-15-2018, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

Look at any decision the NFL has made over the last 10 years. Almost every one of them has put money over the fan experience.

Overpriced tickets, parking, concessions, merchandise
One of the only sports leagues left that doesn't offer full streaming
Constantly jamming teams with mega fan bases down our throat
The commissioner in bed with owners of those teams
Allowing greed to steal teams from the cities that love them

And these lunatics extended the contract of the captain of this sinking ship another 5 years. Until the NFL changes their mentality from running this like a business to running this like an entertainment industry, the NFL will continue to lose fan interest.

Overpriced Merch is the thing I agree with here. I'm not paying 100 bucks for a shitty screen printed jersey.

**Bugeater** · 01-15-2018, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

Look at any decision the NFL has made over the last 10 years. Almost every one of them has put money over the fan experience.

Overpriced tickets, parking, concessions, merchandise
One of the only sports leagues left that doesn't offer full streaming
Constantly jamming teams with mega fan bases down our throat
The commissioner in bed with owners of those teams
Allowing greed to steal teams from the cities that love them

And these lunatics extended the contract of the captain of this sinking ship another 5 years. Until the NFL changes their mentality from running this like a business to running this like an entertainment industry, the NFL will continue to lose fan interest.

You forgot one of the biggest ones....stealing home games from fans in order to market their product overseas.

**Bugeater** · 01-15-2018, 10:36 AM

Also when they steal those home games, they also are stealing money from the entire city. No one is coming in town to rent hotel rooms, eat at restaurants, buy gas, etc. And it's also a kick in the balls to the taxpayers who fund these stadiums in order to be able to watch their teams. It's nothing but a giant **** YOU to the fans.

chiefzilla1501 · 01-15-2018, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stinky Nuts McGee

Also when they steal those home games, they also are stealing money from the entire city. No one is coming in town to rent hotel rooms, eat at restaurants, buy gas, etc. And it's also a kick in the balls to the taxpayers who fund these stadiums in order to be able to watch their teams. It's nothing but a giant **** YOU to the fans.

I totally agree. They think fans like it. Great games are about fan noise and homefield advantage. Not a bunch of sterile casual fans who have no idea which team to root for. And guess what, they moved a rabid fan base in Oakland to a Vegas environment where you'll get more of this same bullshit.

ChiefFanForHire · 01-15-2018, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

Look at any decision the NFL has made over the last 10 years. Almost every one of them has put money over the fan experience.

Overpriced tickets, parking, concessions, merchandise
One of the only sports leagues left that doesn't offer full streaming
Constantly jamming teams with mega fan bases down our throat
The commissioner in bed with owners of those teams
Allowing greed to steal teams from the cities that love them

And these lunatics extended the contract of the captain of this sinking ship another 5 years. Until the NFL changes their mentality from running this like a business to running this like an entertainment industry, the NFL will continue to lose fan interest.

Great list. Let's not forget how they don't pay taxes, and con cities into paying for their new stadiums. The city of St. Louis will be paying for the Edward Jones Dome until 2022 despite the Rams leaving LAST YEAR, because the NFL decided they can make more money in LA, after they con that city to buying another new stadium. That's some organized crime like activity., yet somehow, legal.

Eleazar · 01-15-2018, 10:56 AM

You know, this article was written about the declining ratings for regular season games, which undoubtedly did occur over the NFL's ratings in previous years. Obviously postseason games are still going to be highly rated. We aren't at that point.

Quesadilla Joe · 01-15-2018, 12:53 PM

NFL Divisional weekend: 3 of 4 playoff games came down to the wire, but the TV audience just wasn't there. Looking like lowest-rated Divisional weekend since 2009 for the four-game slate.
— Austin Karp (@AustinKarp) January 15, 2018

**Rausch** · 01-15-2018, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quesadilla Joe

NFL Divisional weekend: 3 of 4 playoff games came down to the wire, but the TV audience just wasn't there. Looking like lowest-rated Divisional weekend since 2009 for the four-game slate.
— Austin Karp (@AustinKarp) January 15, 2018

They know the kneels and the soy-boys are just around the corner...

BlackOp · 01-15-2018, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiefFanForHire

Great list. Let's not forget how they don't pay taxes, and con cities into paying for their new stadiums. The city of St. Louis will be paying for the Edward Jones Dome until 2022 despite the Rams leaving LAST YEAR, because the NFL decided they can make more money in LA, after they con that city to buying another new stadium. That's some organized crime like activity., yet somehow, legal.

The NFL is a racket...hard to believe they were tax-exempt until just recently yet force tax payers to finance their stadiums.

Sweet gig to make billions, tax-free, then force grandma to pay for their store and it's upkeep....in St. Louis's case, years after you leave. Talk about dine and ditch...

ChiefFanForHire · 01-15-2018, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackOp

The NFL is a racket...hard to believe they were tax-exempt until just recently yet force tax payers to finance their stadiums.

Sweet gig to make billions, tax-free, then force grandma to pay for their store and it's upkeep....in St. Louis's case, years after you leave. Talk about dine and ditch...

Exactly. You know there are millionaire crime bosses into drugs / guns / prostitution / money laundering / sex trafficking / illegal gambling rings, that look at the NFL's money making model (without the risk of being indited) and get green with envy.

Eleazar · 01-15-2018, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quesadilla Joe

NFL Divisional weekend: 3 of 4 playoff games came down to the wire, but the TV audience just wasn't there. Looking like lowest-rated Divisional weekend since 2009 for the four-game slate.
— Austin Karp (@AustinKarp) January 15, 2018

Wow, surprising that even early postseason games are suffering.

WilliamTheIrish · 01-15-2018, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Over Yonder

One more TV than was viewing the rest of the year, I know that. Was flipping through channels and it landed on the Pitt/Jax game and I left it on. It was the first non Chiefs game I have watched all year. It was weird watching Jacksonville actually being productive

But the last 2 teams I give any kinda crap about lost today, so I'm likely done watching till the super bowl. Love those super bowl commercials

Sure...

Prison Bitch · 01-17-2018, 09:05 AM

So what will Dane say now?

cosmo20002 · 01-17-2018, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notorious

I watched one game this weekend, Minn vs. NO. I didn’t miss it at all, which should scare the NFL. Officiating is my main reason.

I simply want games to be called like the Super Bowl every time. They let the players play instead of swaying the game with a million flags.

Last four years average total penalties per regular season game is about 14.2.
Last four Super Bowls, penalties have been (13, 18, 12, 15) 14.5 average

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

01-15-2018, 10:36 AM	#364
Bugeater The Maintenance Guy Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Renovated Bugeater Estate Casino cash: $6232680	Also when they steal those home games, they also are stealing money from the entire city. No one is coming in town to rent hotel rooms, eat at restaurants, buy gas, etc. And it's also a kick in the balls to the taxpayers who fund these stadiums in order to be able to watch their teams. It's nothing but a giant **** YOU to the fans.
Posts: 70,443

01-15-2018, 10:56 AM	#367
Eleazar Beyond the Rapids Join Date: May 2003 Location: Langley, VA Casino cash: $-370000	You know, this article was written about the declining ratings for regular season games, which undoubtedly did occur over the NFL's ratings in previous years. Obviously postseason games are still going to be highly rated. We aren't at that point.
Posts: 80,659

01-15-2018, 12:53 PM	#368
Quesadilla Joe Abolish The Salary Cap! Join Date: Mar 2008 Casino cash: $3848675	NFL Divisional weekend: 3 of 4 playoff games came down to the wire, but the TV audience just wasn't there. Looking like lowest-rated Divisional weekend since 2009 for the four-game slate. — Austin Karp (@AustinKarp) January 15, 2018
Posts: 19,807

01-17-2018, 09:05 AM	#374
Prison Bitch Rabbi Goldmann Join Date: Nov 2012 Casino cash: $5450159	So what will Dane say now?
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