I stopped watching the NFL about 5 years ago. Kids, hobbies, family and friends took over and changed my entire perspective on life. I'm happier more productive and have filled my life with more meaningful stuff. 2 years ago I stopped watching any regular season college football outside the B1G and that has also made my life better. Next year 90% of my football viewing will be just Iowa games. Media is ruining the college game as well. Better stuff to do with my time. Stuff I will remember the rest of my life. Could also care less now about some jerk who kneels at an NFL game and all the divisive media crap that comes with it.
NFL Viewership Down 9.7% in 2017
- Thread starter Johnsoda123
- Start date
While I agree that the talent in the NFL is obviously superior to college it is not translating to the game anymore. The NFL bores me to tears. Fundamental tackling is gone and the officiating is atrocious . It’s just not interesting to me anymore. I turn on college football and watch. I may turn on NFL but I am usually doing something else while it plays in the background.
I couldn't tell you who's kneeling these days.....because I don't watch that garbage anymore! Why would I?
Thank you america!
PS-sorry to all you real americans in the nfl
You didn't even mention the most idiotic overtime in sports and ties.....who the hell ties anymore!
Being a Dolphins fan has made it easy to not pay attention and not watch football games. The whole kneeling issue, horrible officiating and of course my team sucking has contributed to that. If Jewell or Jackson ended up playing for them, I would start watching again.
Between being able to stream games and Red Zone, I think those numbers are going to be skewed a little bit. a lot of people watch the NFL to follow their fantasy team so if they can watch the Red Zone channel or the fantasy channel then they don't have to watch a game. If my team isn't playing then I flip back and forth between games or watch red zone channel.
I think the ratings will continue to drop because you have more options now then ever. You don't have to sit down and only have the option to watch 1 or 2 games at a time.
I think the ratings will continue to drop because you have more options now then ever. You don't have to sit down and only have the option to watch 1 or 2 games at a time.
The NFL sucks so bad that Verizon agreed to pay $2.5B over five years for streaming rights. Which, by the way, doubles the previous revenue generated by streaming rights.
http://es.pn/2BbVola
And, FWIW, I call BS to those who say "protest on your own time." You disagree with the political message (frankly, I don't think that you even understand the message or what the flag represents), therefore - the protests are bad. My guess is if there were players protesting on the field a particular policy, practice or event that you found to be objectionable, you'd be "all for" the players taking a stance. For example, if Andy Reid decided to keep his players in the locker room during the National Anthem but Alex Smith decided to cone out, take his helmet off and stand at attention with hand over heart during the National Anthem, the vast majority of "anti-protesters" would hail him as a hero.
http://es.pn/2BbVola
And, FWIW, I call BS to those who say "protest on your own time." You disagree with the political message (frankly, I don't think that you even understand the message or what the flag represents), therefore - the protests are bad. My guess is if there were players protesting on the field a particular policy, practice or event that you found to be objectionable, you'd be "all for" the players taking a stance. For example, if Andy Reid decided to keep his players in the locker room during the National Anthem but Alex Smith decided to cone out, take his helmet off and stand at attention with hand over heart during the National Anthem, the vast majority of "anti-protesters" would hail him as a hero.
Wow you are a complete loser who needs to go live in Iraq for awhile, utter moron you are man!!
Why would I live in Iraq? I simply don't care if people exercise their American rights, whether I agree with them or not. I want to watch football, and there's nothing that's gonna stop me from doing that. Take it easy, snowflake.
It's the way they protest. They are disrespecting a whole country where free men have died in order to free others. Wear a frickn' arm band if you want to protest you idiots. To do it this way is STUPID!!
i think some of it has to do with the lack of "star power" compared to the past. Think about the starting QB's in the league at the beginning of this year compared to 5 or 10 years ago.
Hoyer, Brissett, Kizer, Glennon, McCown, Siemien, Goff, etc., along with quite a few rookies that are not yet household names.
Combine that with the way every-down backs are no longer the norm.
I agree the anthem stuff is garbage and has hurt the ratings, but I think the product is a little stale at the moment as well.
Hoyer, Brissett, Kizer, Glennon, McCown, Siemien, Goff, etc., along with quite a few rookies that are not yet household names.
Combine that with the way every-down backs are no longer the norm.
I agree the anthem stuff is garbage and has hurt the ratings, but I think the product is a little stale at the moment as well.
The NFL has made some serious mistakes in their approach. Not allowing certain things to occur like shoes being worn to support law enforcement then allowing the kneeling, the breast cancer scam they ran, etc but the main thing is the game isn't as good, isn't as enjoyable to watch. What is a catch, touchdown, commercial, kick off commercial, momentum killing replays, the list goes on. They are attempting to make some changes but killed some of the goodwill they had accumulated. As far as taking a sh*t on the flag goes enjoy your perspective, it's not going to be popular but it's your opinion and people will express theirs. I side with them.
I don't know any of you personally, but the people that I do, that are anti NFL because some players kneel - white players, black players, good guys and undoubtedly some that probably aren't always good guys - are some of the most shallow, simple minded people I know.
They include high school friends I knew well for a brief period a long time ago, in-laws, people at our place of employment. The constant is they are mostly incapable of understanding or caring why some players kneel, they think it's an jab at our military, and often there are racist overtures even though players of different races kneel and stand.
I've also learned no one can get them to understand it's not a jab at America or the military no matter how many quotes, pictures, etc are supplied as examples to the contray.
I have many friends that served our country - and this small sample group all loves the NFL and they still watch, except for one nephew. Unfortunately my nephew is a dumba$$, and has nothing to do with the kneeling issue - he's been a dumb a$$ his whole life, with many horrible decisions detrimental to others. All vets I know, but the nephew, support the kneelers position, and what they are doing it for.
That said, my viewing patterns haven't changed. For the past many years I typically have games on if at home, but usually doing many other things, watching bits and parts of many, but very few full games throughout a year. I typically don't know who is playing until the game comes on.
for those that use to love it, but now don't watch because of this, I feel sorry you are missing out on something you they use to like, because someone seduced you into thinking its something it isn't.
If anyone disagrees with this - good for you.
They include high school friends I knew well for a brief period a long time ago, in-laws, people at our place of employment. The constant is they are mostly incapable of understanding or caring why some players kneel, they think it's an jab at our military, and often there are racist overtures even though players of different races kneel and stand.
I've also learned no one can get them to understand it's not a jab at America or the military no matter how many quotes, pictures, etc are supplied as examples to the contray.
I have many friends that served our country - and this small sample group all loves the NFL and they still watch, except for one nephew. Unfortunately my nephew is a dumba$$, and has nothing to do with the kneeling issue - he's been a dumb a$$ his whole life, with many horrible decisions detrimental to others. All vets I know, but the nephew, support the kneelers position, and what they are doing it for.
That said, my viewing patterns haven't changed. For the past many years I typically have games on if at home, but usually doing many other things, watching bits and parts of many, but very few full games throughout a year. I typically don't know who is playing until the game comes on.
for those that use to love it, but now don't watch because of this, I feel sorry you are missing out on something you they use to like, because someone seduced you into thinking its something it isn't.
If anyone disagrees with this - good for you.
I do watch, but I do hate the celebration after every stinking play - you haven't won yet, you haven't even scored or got the ball back on D, and you jump around like it was the game ending play.
I've probably cut out ~60% of my NFL watching due to the officiating. The reviews take too long and the nfl's definition of a catch is insulting to football fans.
I'd probably watch more if I still played fantasy football, but I cut that out after they started playing on Thursdays - it became an everyday commitment
I'd probably watch more if I still played fantasy football, but I cut that out after they started playing on Thursdays - it became an everyday commitment
It's not just a single factor causing the ratings decline but the anthem protests are perhaps the newest and most obvious one. Here's what I see:
1. Replay is slowing games to a crawl, and then the results of the replay are often guesses that can decide who wins or loses games just as much as the actual play on the field (does anybody even know what a catch is anymore?). This is a big problem in college ball, but an even bigger issue in the NFL.
2. Too damn many commercials. It's to the point where, college or pro, I let a lot of games get ahead of me on the DVR, and then catch-up by skipping the interminable commercials. It's ridiculous to have three min of commercials, have a kickoff, and then subject fans to three more min of commercials.
3. The CTE dementia issue is beginning to creep people out. It used to fire-up fans to see big hits and guys laid-out, but now it's just nauseating. I'm not sure what can be done about it, but CTE is ruining the game for some fans all by itself.
4. The product is boring and vanilla. What makes the college game so great is the variety of offenses one sees, the stylistic changes between teams, big plays, gadget plays, and so on. Right now, all 32 teams run the same basic offense, with all the rules tilted toward passing, and protecting the QB in the pocket (that rule about not tackling a QB low is just ridiculous, might as well put a red jersey on him). There's no room for variety in the game, all the imagination has been squeezed out of it. And the pre- and post- game shows are idiotic, too many people laughing and talking over each other, and just too many people on those panels to begin with. It's just a bad product.
5. The Anthem Protests. Alienating your fans in non-urban areas/red states is a bad business plan, that's for sure. I know more than a few people who refuse to watch the NFL until the protests are moved outside of game venues, where they don't belong (can YOU make political statements at your place of business? I sure as hell can't). It's died down a little, but I don't think an almost 10% decline in viewership can be ignored. In TV terms, that's panic territory.
Anyway, that's what I see going on.
Wow! Just, wow! Is this crap for real? Maybe you should be in Iraq beings you feel it is ok to tell everyone what they should and shouldn’t do.
Outside of catching maybe 5 or 6 Steelers games a season (been a fan for 30 years), I don't watch the NFL at all ... Up until a few years ago I had the Redzone, would watch the studio shows, etc. Now, I simply have no interest. I'll stick to college ball.
I am a devout 49er fan, but cancelled my NFL Sunday ticket last season when Kap started kneeling. This year, I have the sunday ticket, and watched every Niner game that CJ played, but since Jimmy G took over, haven't watched a lick. As long as the NFL is going to tolerate anthem kneelers, I am out. Of course, now that I have been out and really have no more interest, I think there is a good chance they lost my viewing for good. I used to watch baseball, all the Cubs games on WGN back in the day, until the rich pricks thought they needed to strike, and after that, with the exception of the Cubs world series last season, haven't watched a game. They will soon figure out that it's not wise to bite the hand that feeds them because the viewers bite back.
Funny you say that about baseball. I have not watched a game after the strike either. Occasionally I catch myself wondering who's in first place and it might be August. I'll bet I've only checked the standings 4 times since the strike.
But I LOVED watching the Iowa Hawkeyes play baseball on TV.
With the exception of professional golfers, who get what they earn, I've come to realize that I do not like professional sports. There are many others with whom I'll share my dollars. Pro athletes are at the bottom of my list. THE VERY VERY BOTTOM.
I'm assuming your place doesn't force you to stand for the national anthem before your shift
If someone asked me to name 5 current Major League Baseball players, I bet I couldn't do it. LOL Same with the NBA, but I have always thought it was boring. If you asked me what playoff teams were in the NFL last season, I couldn't tell you. So, I can say to the NFL now, I am a lost cause. LOL Besides, my wife likes it that I can take her shopping on Sunday's.
The pussifcation of America... we now tie just like futbol.
I would LOVE to see some college games start playing on Sundays! I bet there's a network out there without an NFL contract that would sign them up!
There have always been ties, there are actually fewer now than years ago.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NFL_tied_games
The effectiveness of the message is probably lost if the majority of the people don't even know what it's about. Send all the quotes, pictures etc. that you want and you will see that there isn't really a clearly defined message behind the protest.
The protests are mainly about the oppression of blacks. The only ones keeping blacks oppressed are blacks themselves.
It would be interesting to know how far those numbers would actually be down if fantasy wasn't a big deal. The NFL has not done anything to bring the female viewers in, guys that want to watch football on Sundays that got thier wives involved with fantasy, brought the ladies.
I am guessing you have never served your country in the armed forces. Just the fact that you don't care if someone sh*ts on the flag at the 50 yard line tells me all I need to know about you.
There are, obviously, dozens of reasons for the decline in NFL ratings. All of the above mentioned are a factor with some people.
For me, it's simple. I don't care who wins. Sometimes it's ok to watch a game when you don't have any skin in the game, but in general over a season, sports is most entertaining when you care who wins.
In CFB, I generally have a team I want to win, or one I want to lose.
For me, it's simple. I don't care who wins. Sometimes it's ok to watch a game when you don't have any skin in the game, but in general over a season, sports is most entertaining when you care who wins.
In CFB, I generally have a team I want to win, or one I want to lose.
I watch the NFL every Sunday. Whether others find the college game more enjoyable or not is up to them, but the NFL is still a great watch imho. Yes, I'll absolutely always watch Iowa football over any other football...but I tune into more NFL football when it comes to "other football" than college football outside of the Hawks.
The #2 show in the US, The Big Bang Theory (SNF is #1, by a wide margin) - is also down appreciably this year. I believe I heard something like 37 out of the top 50 individual program ratings on TV this year were NFL games.
However, "TV" ratings in general are down. Cord cutters, streamers, and as far as the NFL only is concerned - the protests, the quality of play as it relates to penalties/game flow etc...it's all in the mix.
But when it gets right down to it, people in this country just plain don't watch as much "traditional TV" as they used to.
However...
The NFL is fine. They dominate TV ratings. It's death is greatly exaggerated.
The #2 show in the US, The Big Bang Theory (SNF is #1, by a wide margin) - is also down appreciably this year. I believe I heard something like 37 out of the top 50 individual program ratings on TV this year were NFL games.
However, "TV" ratings in general are down. Cord cutters, streamers, and as far as the NFL only is concerned - the protests, the quality of play as it relates to penalties/game flow etc...it's all in the mix.
But when it gets right down to it, people in this country just plain don't watch as much "traditional TV" as they used to.
However...
The NFL is fine. They dominate TV ratings. It's death is greatly exaggerated.
I am guessing you have never served your country in the armed forces. Just the fact that you don't care if someone sh*ts on the flag at the 50 yard line tells me all I need to know about you.
No, I don't care about people expressing their opinions. I'm an American. I don't have to agree with it or like it, but that's what makes this country great. If you get offended over that stuff, that's too bad but that's your choice.
Exactly. The NFC playoffs are ridiculously loaded this year. There's not a game in the NFC playoffs I want to miss. People are picking a bad year to boycott the NFL. I never even notice the players kneeling for the anthem because they mostly just cover the game at kickoff on TV. What's not to like? It's football, man, played at a high level. The only thing that pisses me off are the damn reviews. I'm not even a Steelers fan, but how in the hell was that not a catch???
Saturday’s and Sunday’s are for FOOTBALL! I get excited to watch and pull for all the ex Hawks to do well!
This country was founded so people would have freedom to express their opinions. I, like many others here are showing our opinion by not watching. But if you could actually stand by and watch people s*** on our flag in the middle of the field and not feel offended, that says a lot about your character. Fortunately for you, lacking character is also something you have the right to in this country. Good luck with that.
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My dad is a vet and he has not watched the NFL since the players started protesting. He reminded me that a lot of people died in many wars and that kind of disrespect towards our country and our soldiers is despicable.
KF is right on this issue; if you want to protest, do it on your own time.
Also, why have a protest that involves our national anthem, the flag and the soldiers carrying that flag? The players should have thought things through more and the owners should have as well.
The last poll I saw showed over 50% of the country was not in favor of the player protests. Good job, players, owners, and NFL leadership. You pissed off half the country. Was that the goal?
