NFL ratings are down 18.7 percent from 2015.

[Coach]

The NFL's once-golden network TV ratings continue to drop.

League games averaged 15.1 million viewers through Week 7, according to Nielsen data obtained by Sporting News. That's down 5.1 percent from 15.87 million viewers during the same period last season and off 18.7 percent from 18.35 million viewers during the same period in 2015.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nf...-same-period-in-15/ar-AAu3EsE?ocid=spartanntp

 

[Coach]

What are Roger's options? 18.7 percent is a huge drop, and I get the hunch once a few teams are out of the playoff race, it will become worse.

Some suggestions to increase ratings:

Put in NBA rules that require players, coaches, and other personnel to stand during the national anthem.

Move kickoffs back 5 yards so we see more returns. No one wants to see touchbacks.

Let all 53 players dress. Why not?

And these ref's? They have to improve some

 

[black and gold apex]

The league does not get it. Fans are tired of all the extra crap on, off field. When these situations are covered more than the game itself, it gets old fast. The rotten apples have truly turned the game down a notch. Fantasy leagues more than likely keep the percentage being worse.

 

[mdk2]

The NFL was/still is on a whole different level than other sports when it comes to ratings, they were bound to decline and level out.
The anthem stuff has some to do with it but more than anything it has to do with people dropping cable. You can stream stuff for free all over the internet now with good quality. I know I don't buy NBA league pass anymore, I watch all the games via streaming online. That is why the ratings are down so much.

 

[strat68]

What are Roger's options? 18.7 percent is a huge drop, and I get the hunch once a few teams are out of the playoff race, it will become worse.

Some suggestions to increase ratings:

Put in NBA rules that require players, coaches, and other personnel to stand during the national anthem.

Move kickoffs back 5 yards so we see more returns. No one wants to see touchbacks.

Let all 53 players dress. Why not?

And these ref's? They have to improve some

How about allowing CBS and FOX to show 2 games each on Sundays? They used to. Let the local stations pick what they want to broadcast. I'm sure here in MD/DC/VA we would see more Steeler games. This area is where many of us went when western PA started its decline from 1980 on.

 

[Punxsutawney]

The NFL was/still is on a whole different level than other sports when it comes to ratings, they were bound to decline and level out.
The anthem stuff has some to do with it but more than anything it has to do with people dropping cable. You can stream stuff for free all over the internet now with good quality. I know I don't buy NBA league pass anymore, I watch all the games via streaming online. That is why the ratings are down so much.

QFT

If one looks at other metrics, fan interest in the league had not really declined. The way fans follow the game has rapidly evolved.

The league's YouTube channel launched a couple years ago is great.

 

[Coach]

How about allowing CBS and FOX to show 2 games each on Sundays? They used to. Let the local stations pick what they want to broadcast. I'm sure here in MD/DC/VA we would see more Steeler games. This area is where many of us went when western PA started its decline from 1980 on.

Agreed. Showing two game each instead of the home team being show probably will increase ratings.

 

[steel dino]

The league does not get it. Fans are tired of all the extra crap on, off field. When these situations are covered more than the game itself, it gets old fast. The rotten apples have truly turned the game down a notch. Fantasy leagues more than likely keep the percentage being worse.

And not to mention...gambling.

Without fantasy and gambling...this league's viewing audience is not much higher than the NHL's..

 

[SCSteeler4life]

I know they are different ways to watch sports today. But the other major sports leagues are not seeing the same huge decline that the NFL has. If you think the the way the players have been acting has not affected viewership you are living in a bubble. It is all over the place , people talking about turning it off. All of the politics in sports sucks, I haven't watched ESPN in 2 years because of it.

 

[Ike Kelly]

And not to mention...gambling.

Without fantasy and gambling...this league's viewing audience is not much higher than the NHL's..

Which is one reason Gov Christie is trying to get the offshore Fantasy contingent (Famduel, Draftkings) to be legal in Jersey. Billion dollar industry offshore. Bring it too the states and tax it. No different than what goes on in Vegas. Increases fan participation and interest here. Almost every team has a vetted interest with Fantasy football. Not just the League’s FF offering. In a way, NFL quietly discourages it because it’s too close to gambling. But they know they can make $$$$ from it if legalized


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[Coach]

Which is one reason Gov Christie is trying to get the offshore Fantasy contingent (Famduel, Draftkings) to be legal in Jersey. Billion dollar industry offshore. Bring it too the states and tax it. No different than what goes on in Vegas. Increases fan participation and interest here. Almost every team has a vetted interest with Fantasy football. Not just the League’s FF offering. In a way, NFL quietly discourages it because it’s too close to gambling. But they know they can make $$$$ from it if legalized


Sent from my iPhone using Steeler Nation mobile app

With a franchise on the way to Las Vegas ( Which I think will be a hit ) the NFL inches closer to admitting that gambling is part of their audience.

But the ratings are alarmingly down, and with a possible labor strike, and who knows what else on the field or with social media, something has to change.

Although I say it with caution, now is the time to allow Roger Goodell to wield an even bigger hammer.

I don't really follow baseball, Hockey or basketball, but do they have as many athletes in college or the pro's beating up women, protesting the national anthems, or being arrested by the police?

 

[Drink IRON City]

What are Roger's options? 18.7 percent is a huge drop, and I get the hunch once a few teams are out of the playoff race, it will become worse.

Some suggestions to increase ratings:d

Put in NBA rules that require players, coaches, and other personnel to stand during the national anthem.

Move kickoffs back 5 yards so we see more returns. No one wants to see touchbacks.

Let all 53 players dress. Why not?

And these Refs? They have to improve some

These Refs are doing exactly what the League / commissioner / owners want................keeping controversy / outcome in the game. It's a way of disguising the predetermined outcome of some games. Have the officiating being the target of attention while subtly slipping in a controlled outcome here and there. BIG MONEY has that base covered...................



Salute the nation

 

[Drink IRON City]

With a franchise on the way to Las Vegas ( Which I think will be a hit ) the NFL inches closer to admitting that gambling is part of their audience.

But the ratings are alarmingly down, and with a possible labor strike, and who knows what else on the field or with social media, something has to change.

Although I say it with caution, now is the time to allow Roger Goodell to wield an even bigger hammer.

I don't really follow baseball, Hockey or basketball, but do they have as many athletes in college or the pro's beating up women, protesting the national anthems, or being arrested by the police?

I think it might be a case of to little to late. The "rog" has no credibility as to punishment. A lot of his punishment is now being taken to court and held up for a lengthy period of time........t*mmyb*y comes to mind and Elliot more recently. The United-unfairness of what the "rog" has handed down over the past makes it harder and harder for fairness currently. Would have past commissioners ruled with such a rubbery hand........ Think not..




Salute the nation

 

[bornafan]

I think that today's viewers are too fantasy focused, caring more about the team than the game - more about the stats than the actual play. That being the case they get stats updates and watch scores, not needing to invest 3-6-10 hours of their Sunday in front of their TV.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Steeler Nation mobile app

 

[Coach]

I think it might be a case of to little to late. The "rog" has no credibility as to punishment. A lot of his punishment is now being taken to court and held up for a lengthy period of time........t*mmyb*y comes to mind and Elliot more recently. The United-unfairness of what the "rog" has handed down over the past makes it harder and harder for fairness currently. Would have past commissioners ruled with such a rubbery hand........ Think not..


Salute the nation

Ah, but isn't he the prefect man for the job right now? His favorability among the players matters not, its what the owners think of him that matters. He was the guy in command of a financial windfall that may be drying up a bit, and has some serious future related issues. .

If Rog can hammer out issues causing rating drops, he stays! For once I think the fans will back him to administer punishment, and announce new rules. If fails he's OUT and is the perfect fall guy to create the need for a new commissioner which will create a new hope for the players and union.

 

[Spike]

Do Nielsen ratings count those games being recorded on multiple DVRs?

I never watch "live" football anymore

 

[steel dino]

Which is one reason Gov Christie is trying to get the offshore Fantasy contingent (Famduel, Draftkings) to be legal in Jersey. Billion dollar industry offshore. Bring it too the states and tax it. No different than what goes on in Vegas. Increases fan participation and interest here. Almost every team has a vetted interest with Fantasy football. Not just the League’s FF offering. In a way, NFL quietly discourages it because it’s too close to gambling. But they know they can make $$$$ from it if legalized


Sent from my iPhone using Steeler Nation mobile app

good to see Mr. Christie is continuing the long held tradition of East coast politicians making fine bedfellows with the Mob...

In addition...I can see this league going the way of the WWF in the next decade or so..

The NFL is morphing into more of an "exhibition" type of entertainment activity than an actual sport.

 

[Ike Kelly]

With a franchise on the way to Las Vegas ( Which I think will be a hit ) the NFL inches closer to admitting that gambling is part of their audience.

But the ratings are alarmingly down, and with a possible labor strike, and who knows what else on the field or with social media, something has to change.

Although I say it with caution, now is the time to allow Roger Goodell to wield an even bigger hammer.

I don't really follow baseball, Hockey or basketball, but do they have as many athletes in college or the pro's beating up women, protesting the national anthems, or being arrested by the police?

Admitting gambling is part of their audience? They don’t have too. Everyone knows it. That’s why there are book lines for everything, and why you see spread listings for every game. In all sports. Don’t be so naive.

There are police blotter listings for ALL sports, college or pro. The fact that or football is more popular than all the rest in the USA, places the NFL and NCAA in the cross hairs with the media and dirt searchers on the web.


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[MTC]

Part of it is loss of fans due to the anthem.
Another part is over saturation.

Football is Steelers and UGA dawgs only. I'll switch on the occasional college game.
But there is too much of a good thing. Sometimes you just need a break.

I've been missing some Pens games this season as well.
Quite content with 2 cups a row and a cruise control start to the beginning of the season.

I think most audiences still find football as good entertainment. But the weekly is for the die hards.
I think there's a lot of factors affecting the nfl now.

I also feel the owners and Goodell will address the issue next offseason.
The nfl can afford a down year or three

 

[ark steel]

Do Nielsen ratings count those games being recorded on multiple DVRs?

I never watch "live" football anymore

They, well, used to, have several households through which they capture viewing. channel, #people and their ages watching, etc. Presumably, the demographics of that group match those of the nation and they make sure to hit various demographics related to age and gender. If one of those families is recording rather than watching live, it should catch it

That was the model years ago. I'm sure it has evolved to be more efficient, but they aren't getting actual data from the cable/satellite companies on every subscriber.

 

[stillwright]

What are Roger's options? 18.7 percent is a huge drop, and I get the hunch once a few teams are out of the playoff race, it will become worse.

Some suggestions to increase ratings:

Put in NBA rules that require players, coaches, and other personnel to stand during the national anthem.

Move kickoffs back 5 yards so we see more returns. No one wants to see touchbacks.

Let all 53 players dress. Why not?

And these ref's? They have to improve some

I would be behind just spotting the ball at the 25 yard line. It would do away with a commercial break. I don't understand your love for KO returns. With them changing all the rules the past 5 to 10 years I personally could give a **** if they did away with it.

 

[stillwright]

I think that today's viewers are too fantasy focused, caring more about the team than the game - more about the stats than the actual play. That being the case they get stats updates and watch scores, not needing to invest 3-6-10 hours of their Sunday in front of their TV.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Steeler Nation mobile app

Yep. The days when I would spend the day watching football is over. I watch one game a week now. The game is so messed up now I sometimes have a hard time watching the one game I do watch. Now we have so many prime time games. What ever happened to the good ole days when the Steeler's game started at 1pm? This 4:25 pm starts suck. Sunday night...sucks....Thursday night...sucks. Monday night ....sucks. Maybe I'm just getting old.

 

[Stoney]

Maybe its my age, but I don't know anyone who has shifted from watching games on television to streaming games or watching them on Youtube. But I do know at least 6-7 people who have turned the NFL completely off in their lives because of the anthem situation. And thats here in New England, where they have a reason to watch football, I can only imagine the numbers are much greater in places like Cleveland.

 

[Bigappleyinzer]

Maybe its my age, but I don't know anyone who has shifted from watching games on television to streaming games or watching them on Youtube...

Amazon released earnings this evening:

NFL Thursday Night Football on Amazon Prime Video saw a total of 7.1 million views in the first four games. Prime members in 187 countries and territories have streamed games on living room devices, including smart TVs and Fire TVs, as well as the Prime Video mobile app and the web

http://www.businesswire.com/news/ho...n.com-Announces-Quarter-Sales-34-43.7-Billion


So yes... Streaming is a VERY big deal.

 

[DBS1970]

I watch the Steelers that's it. I won't watch the other games. They want to let their players insult their customers then I will partake of less of their products.