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-Short Attention Span Theater-
Wonder why: NFL ratings' plunge for primetime
2016-10-18
Football, America’s biggest prime-time powerhouse, has been thrust into a crisis this fall, with dwindling ratings sparking questions over whether it can remain a gold mine for television in an age when more Americans are abandoning traditional TV.
Kaepernicki Virus ?
Network executives have long used the National Football League’s live games as a last line of defense against the rapid growth of “cord-cutting” and on-demand viewing upending the industry.

But now, the NFL is seeing its ratings tumble in the same way that the Olympics, awards shows and other live events have, falling more than 10 percent for the first five weeks of the season compared with the first five weeks of last season. A continued slide, executives say, could pose an even bigger danger: If football can’t survive the new age of TV, what can?

Football’s traditional TV audience “is never going to be what it was again,” said Brian Hughes, a senior vice president at Magna Global, which tracks audience and advertising trends.

The explosion of modern entertainment options, offered on more devices and at any time, has splintered American audiences and sped TV’s decline, Hughes said. “Sports seemed to be immune from it — it was live, the last bastion of broadcast television. But [the world] has caught up to it now.”

The rest of the article at the link
Posted by:badanov

#10  More time for Rantburg!
Posted by: Glenmore   2016-10-18 17:11  

#9  If I want a sermon, I'll go to church.
Posted by: M. Murcek   2016-10-18 16:31  

#8  I was flipping through the channels last Sunday. Came across a couple of bowling teams playing football. Realized it was pink month. Watched a whole 2 seconds.

My modern entertainment option last Sunday was going outside with the kids, playing football catch with my son.

How Its Made was our evening entertainment. Kids learned how a canoe can be made.

Was watching jeopardy yesterday; one of the questions had to do with 2016 politics. Channel changed. Running out of channels to pay for.

Heck, was listening to the Royals on radio, they were playing against that pitcher who crashed his boat at 4 in the morning - great pitcher, incredible story, then it turned into why lifting the embargo on Cuba is important. Agree or disagree, I'm there for the damn game - switched stations.

It isn't entertainment if it is a lecture.
Posted by: swksvolFF   2016-10-18 10:39  

#7  I've canceled ESPN, NFL Network and Red Zone, and have saved a bundle.

Still tune in enough to hear the announcers point out and praise those disrespecting the US as is their right as peacocking thugs.

With the exceptions of the Pats, Vikings and Cowboys, the league is a sea of mediocrity.

Bettors will keep the League alive, but it's clearly past-peak.
Posted by: regular joe   2016-10-18 10:38  

#6  Zebras. Herds of zebras. NFL Films should do a video of "The NFL's Greatest Penalties" and see how that sells.
Posted by: Matt   2016-10-18 09:55  

#5  I lost interest in pro football several years ago.
Posted by: Deacon Blues   2016-10-18 08:01  

#4  The explosion of modern entertainment options

That's what it is - entertainment. When it no longer entertains but shoves what you are trying to escape but for an hour or two, you go elsewhere. Someone forgot the old saying - If you want to send a message, call Western Union.

Long ago, we should have returned the copyright back to its original 14-14 to cut the source of so much resources in the hands of 'entertainment'.
Posted by: Procopius2k   2016-10-18 07:59  

#3  :)
Posted by: Thith Gonque7497   2016-10-18 02:18  

#2  NO worries. I left a message with the 49ers office about the ass woopin they endured this last game. Plus I told them if I sound dis-respectfull, no apologies should be expected. Dis-Respect goes both ways, losers.
Posted by: Thith Gonque7497   2016-10-18 02:17  

#1  If football can’t survive the new age of TV, what can?

I listened on satellite radio last week to a clueless NFL analyst (a woman--come on, that's a clue that a problem exists--exactly ZERO women have played in the NFL) who commented on the Kapernick situation. She said that his protest was "an important national conversation we need to have".

WRONG. People turn into SPORTS to GET AWAY from the heavy stuff. We want a couple of hours where we can watch a GAME and enjoy the GAME aspect of it ONLY.

If we wanted to have a "national discussion", we wouldn't tune in on Sunday afternoon to watch the NFL.

If the NFL is too stupid to get that, they will surely get what they deserve for being that stupid.
Posted by: Crusader   2016-10-18 00:27  

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