general media NFL's ratings decline.

[CastletonSnob 3,089]

As you might know, the NFL's ratings have been going down lately.



Why do you think this is?

[Ashen Pathfinder 16,164]

Likely a variety of reasons in the end. The NFL is probably in a similar situation to what NASAR was and still is in; they have potentially hit their peak. Some people want just want to do other things outside of dedicating 3 or 4 hours to a football game, or maybe they have developed interests elsewhere.

 

Could be anything; really.

[TheAnimatorOfficial 567]

Likely a variety of reasons in the end. The NFL is probably in a similar situation to what NASAR was and still is in; they have potentially hit their peak. Some people want just want to do other things outside of dedicating 3 or 4 hours to a football game, or maybe they have developed interests elsewhere.

 

Could be anything; really.

Oh come on. You and I both know it's from the Anthem drama.

[Ashen Pathfinder 16,164]

Oh come on. You and I both know it's from the Anthem drama.

 

 

That might be playing a part, but until we can get some more hard numbers over a longer period of time I'd rather wait before making any such judgements; if you will.

[Wind Chaser 4,768]

Likely a variety of reasons in the end. The NFL is probably in a similar situation to what NASAR was and still is in; they have potentially hit their peak. Some people want just want to do other things outside of dedicating 3 or 4 hours to a football game, or maybe they have developed interests elsewhere.

 

Could be anything; really.

I would agree to this as well. Nearly every sports league has reported a ratings decline for the better part of the decade. While digital streaming is growing, the times it is accounted for show that its growth is not enough to offset TV's decline. For example, the Olympics fell off by 25% on NBC from 2012 to 2016; their streaming viewership increased by nearly as much, but since the numbers show that 98% of people still watch it on TV primarily, only a minute fraction of that accounts for new, unique viewers. ( https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-08-19/nbc-s-12-billion-olympics-bet-stumbles-thanks-to-millennials )

 

Cultural changes, like shorter attention spans and more competition from other media, have impacted sports across the board with younger viewers. Even more shocking is the impact the national anthem protests are having on the sport's traditional fanbase; by some metrics 1 in 3 NFL fans have turned off because of it. ( https://www.google.com/amp/www.sportingnews.com/amp/nfl/news/nfl-tv-ratings-rasmussen-reports-poll-colin-kaepernick-anthem-protest-reaction-effect/95jdoch1ngj103xvbkllcbvk )

 

One would have thought the NFL would have been more impervious given how culturally entrenched it is, and also its accessibility via broadcast networks, but even the mighty can fall. The politicization of it only helped to accelerate its decline, surprisingly more than we thought.

Edited October 6, 2016 by Wind Chaser

[stripper 252]

esports/Twitch are taking over

[Guest90210 3,569]

There are a few things that are causing the NFL's rating drop.

• Bad matchups for primetime games, primarily due to injury. Week 1's Monday Night games were duds (especially with no name Blaine Gabbert & Case Keenum at QB). Week 2 had a new QB starting for the Vikings. Week 3 had the Patriots playing with a 3rd string QB in a blowout win, and a Brian Hoyer led Bears in the Sunday Night game.
• Online streaming & network changes are moving the viewership elsewhere. With certain primetime games being only on ESPN, some being only on NFL Network, some being on NBC, and some being on CBS, NFLN, & Twitter, it can get a little confusing for viewers. With the rise of NFL Gamepass and internet streaming in general, television ratings are bound to drop.
• As Wind Chaser & Pathfinder mentioned, the NFL may have hit its plateau in terms of viewership. Increased awareness of the dangers of football are beginning to effect the NFL's viewership as well, and possibly the talent pool down the road if more parents refuse to let their kids play football due to safety concerns.

[CT-1138 3,184]

If you ask me, it's because the NFL is turning football into a giant corporate sponsorship and that turns a lot of viewers off, including myself. When I was younger, football was a spectacle. Big plays, big players, and few commercials. It was the experience that was important, not money. Ticket prices have soared, and it makes me feel disinclined to support that. The NFL also seems Hellbent on turning individual players into superstars, regardless of talent. For example, Jay Cutler of the Chicago Bears is a mediocre quarterback, but has one of the highest paid contracts in the NFL. Rather than letting superstars form naturally, the NFL seems to be trying to create an "I" in team, and it's just not working. The number of commercials aired during games has also gotten ridiculous. It now feels like a chore to watch a game, simply because they'll cut to commercial every little chance they get. It doesn't make watching a game fun. 

[Mesme Rize 15,692]

It's also something else, that i said in some other threads. The popularity of traditional cable Television is in decline in the last few years. Streaming services are going to be the future of home entertainment, with services like Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime giving thousands of TV-Shows and Movies for a small price.

 

Companys like the WWE and UFC are having their own streaming services, with the WWE Network and the UFC Fight Pass, giving content to their own audience that like Pro Wrestling or Mixed Martial Arts.

 

I think the NFL should either put their money on their own streaming network, or maybe should join the NBA, NHL and MLB, to make one big streaming service, for all things American Sports.

 

My opinion though.