Why NFL Ratings Are About Decline More
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The NFL continues to mention a decline in ratings. The fact that they continually bring it up means that they're either confused by it or really concerned by it. And those rating are likely about the decline more.
The myth surrounding the decline in ratings is that player protests are pushing away dedicated viewers. While I know it makes certain people feel good to say that, numbers say that just isn't true. You see, Fox carries NFC games. The San Francisco 49ers are part of the NFC. The most popular player partaking in the protests is 49er QB Colin Kaepernick. Yet, Fox ratings are actually among the highest. So scratch that theory.
There are 3 main reasons the rating are down. First, is the biggest reason. The election. 2 debates have been aired at the same time as prime time games for the NFL. Once on a Sunday,and once on Monday these debates went head to head with NFL games and crushed them. It's a heated time and everyone from the educated political mind to the idiot that chokes on his own spit wants to watch the debate. Also, it's not just the debates alone that are hurting the NFL. The numbers say just as many people are watching the other games, but they're aren't tuning in as long. Which means they're going back and forth from the game to political coverage on Sunday afternoons. Why aren't college football ratings down? Because Saturday is a dead day for politics. All these networks are preparing for their best material on Sunday.
The second reason that's hurting NFL ratings, is a decline in QB star power. Now this applies to only the CBS product and AFC. Brady was gone for 4 games, Manning has retired and the best stories are all in the NFC which is on Fox. The Vikings, the Dak vs Romo debate, the unexpected strong rookie campaign of Wentz, the Panthers free falling, are all NFC headlines. These headlines dictate which fans outside of a particular fan base will actually tune in. The AFC may be equivalent to the NFC on the field, but it took a blow to it's star power to a degree until Brady returned. Which is why Fox is doing better than CBS.
The 3rd reason that's hurting NFL ratings are the MLB playoffs. Normally the NFL dominates from week 1 until the Super Bowl. But this year MLB has a unique storyline. The Cubs and Indians are both headed to the World Series. And through their historic runs, it's also taken a percentage of ratings from the NFL. If you could ask any casual baseball fan "what would it take to get you to choose MLB over the NFL?" Their answer would be the Cubs winning a World Series. Adding Cleveland to that scenario makes it that much more intriguing. The Cubs are a national brand and the city of Cleveland has become America's sweetheart. That will get the attention of viewers that you wouldn't normally get.
And here is why the NFL is likely about to lose more viewers during the World Series. Because of guys like me. Because even guys like me who hold the NFL over eveything will now be tuned into the World Series. Either we'll be watching these World Series game from first pitch to last, or at minimum we'll be going back and forth from the NFL to World Series on the nights they share a time slot. Because a historic sports moment is more attractive than a league that ridiculously fines players for excessive celebrations. Because a historic sports moment is more attractive than a league that we feel has made the same mistake it made with Ray Rice, again with Josh Brown. Because a historic sports moment is more attractive that a league that paints everything pink in October and has the audacity to fine someone for wearing pink outside of October.
No one is giving up on the NFL. After the election and the World Series are over, ratings will skyrocket again. There's no need for them to panic. And the world will be back to normal very shortly. But believe it or not, something is actually bigger than the NFL in America at the moment.
