BigPappy Posted October 18, 2017 Share Posted October 18, 2017 Viewership has been going down for the past several years. I think the most recent drop off is from the whole anthem thing, but before that I think it has been a combination of the lack luster match ups and the fact that the game is on so late. Most if not all of the viewers have to get up in the morning for work. I for one do not want to go to bed at midnight or later (sometimes) when I am getting up at 5 AM for work, I have enough trouble getting enough sleep. If the games started at 7 PM i think you would get some viewers back. I have to agree with a few other posters that mentioned the commentators. Over the years there have been some really bad groups and it drove some people away. Though I do have to say I am a bit surprised by Romo as a play analyst. His voice can be a bit annoying at times but as an analyst he's been pretty good. I would like to see it go back to ABC though. I have never really been a fan of ESPN. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PolishDave Posted October 18, 2017 Share Posted October 18, 2017 I'd have to imagine it's more about the sport itself being politicized than the protests themselves. Football was a retreat from reality for many. Something that anyone could bond over regardless of other views on politics, religion, current events etc. Now that stuff has bled into football and it is no longer a retreat, so people are finding new things to fill that need. You are probably right about that. I also wish that politics were left out of the sport. I blame the media mostly for making more of an issue out of it than it needed to be. - As they often do. Their goal is to get people's jack up so that people pay attention. And they do that at the expense of common sense and at the expense of what is the common good. My opinion of course. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Hindsight Posted October 18, 2017 Share Posted October 18, 2017 Because everyone from the ages of 16-30 who can't afford cable stream it online. I personally know my son and all his friends do it. I don't blame him, he tried to purchase Sunday ticket but was told he couldn't because direct TV wanted him to order cable because his complex is a provider for it. He doesn't want cable, he just wants football. This^ Cable prices are stupid and most of the time, I don't watch cable. I watch Netflix because its way cheaper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Big Cat Posted October 18, 2017 Share Posted October 18, 2017 This^ Cable prices are stupid and most of the time, I don't watch cable. I watch Netflix because its way cheaper $20/mo gets you sling, gets you ESPN Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rico Posted October 18, 2017 Share Posted October 18, 2017 I think anyone dismissing the Anthem issues as a reason is extremely naive. The percentage of people actively protesting the league may not be that great, but there were a lot of casual fans who were turned off and found other things to do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Posted October 18, 2017 Share Posted October 18, 2017 I can't remember the last time I watched ESPN or NFL Network or any pre game show on Fox, NBC, or CBS. I get all my highlights online. I get everything online. It's simply just people are watching differently. No major story here, although creating a major story sells. It's not an NFL problem, it's an entire TV problem. Cable companies losing subscribers everyday. Redzone channel is the best way to watch IMO. Also watch that though the app. Personally, I don't like the red zone channel. I want to watch a game, not a disconnected series of plays and highlights. I like the strategy, seeing the alignments, feeling the flow of the game. But, maybe this is a large part of the issue. Today's kids ....yeah.. I'm old enough to say that now ...don't seem to have the ability to concentrate on a single 3+ hour game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Hindsight Posted October 18, 2017 Share Posted October 18, 2017 $20/mo gets you sling, gets you ESPN Borrowing my parents login is free... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heitz Posted October 18, 2017 Share Posted October 18, 2017 A bit of both? random thought ----- Do all the people complaining about the anthem stand up at home when watching / listening to the anthem? lol - I often have the same thought, I'm guessing most are getting their food, beers, last bathroom break, etc. Hell, I've been to enough Bills games where FANS won't shut-up for the anthem - no one seemed too bothered by them... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Big Cat Posted October 18, 2017 Share Posted October 18, 2017 I think anyone dismissing the Anthem issues as a reason is extremely naive. The percentage of people actively protesting the league may not be that great, but there were a lot of casual fans who were turned off and found other things to do. Yeah a few people know like a guy or two. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peevo Posted October 18, 2017 Share Posted October 18, 2017 Personally, I don't like the red zone channel. I want to watch a game, not a disconnected series of plays and highlights. I like the strategy, seeing the alignments, feeling the flow of the game. But, maybe this is a large part of the issue. Today's kids ....yeah.. I'm old enough to say that now ...don't seem to have the ability to concentrate on a single 3+ hour game. Meh. Perhaps this is the CBS/Buffalo D list NFL treatment, but they rarely show alignments, coverages, hell you rarely get replays during Bills' TV broadcasts. Especially on critical 3rd down stops, or a questionable penalty that extends a drive, etc. I'd rather them cut to a game that's interesting. One could argue 1:00 PM redzone is TOO intense, fast-paced, because it's constant action, no replays, no challenges, no injuries, no penalties, etc. Severe injuries appear to be an every-play occurrence, allowing for more vamping from the also-ran uninteresting fluff CBS crew. "Great stuff Steve, let's go down to attractive blonde lady on the sidelines" Attractive blonde lady asks milquetoast, generic questions that offer no insight to the game or plays at hand, she nods accordingly to every boring thing football coach X says, and its "back to you guys." "Thanks Suzie! That halftime report brought to you by Geico..." Or just the lack of any interesting thing from color analysts too. Bills are 4th and 2 down 9 with 11:00 to go 4th quarter on +43, "oh, well they HAVE to punt this here, there's no way you go for it this early.." "Right you are Rich, punt the ball, put it in the hands of your defense to get a stop and try to win the game." UGHH. And the MNF guys are no exception. You've got Gruden, who has a very small sample size of any NFL coaching success, devolve into some obtuse parody of himself. "I'll tell ya right here man, ya go X y stick z yellow stick y banana cumquad on 3, right there man" It sounds super cool on television, but it's literally just an unintelligible garble of nonsense. That COULD be a football play, or it could just be a bunch of random gobbledygook. But SUPER BOWL WINNING COACH Jon Gruden said it, so OK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffaloboyinATL Posted October 18, 2017 Share Posted October 18, 2017 Sounds like you personally know a number of morons. Not morons, just people who stand by their convictions. I am not saying I personally agree with their decisions, after all I am still rooting for the Bills and watching games, but I do not judge them for their decisions. People are boycotting the league because they believe that a critique of America is tantamount to "disrespect" and thus an infringement of America's and (I guess?) their own sensibilities. Elsewhere, this kind of behavior/response has been attached to the god forsaken millennial snow flakes we hear so much about. So, even before we dive into the wildly off target interpretation of what's happening, before we even dive into the issue that's being highlighted in the first place, we have to stop and address how it's making people feel when they should otherwise be unencumbered for a Sunday's worth of football (of all things). This behavior is largely un-tolerated by the ilk now engaging in it. I disagree with you here. The conservatives in question are making an independent choice to not watch football anymore because of behavior that they deem offensive. The "snowflake" mentality, as you describe it, is to try and force their ideals on other people. For example: this book, flag, statue etc., offends me and therefore it should be banned forever and NO-ONE should be allowed to read it of see it ever again. There is a big difference there. (I know we are delving into PPP territory here, sorry) That is the difference to me. I respect someone who makes the choice for themselves without insisting that everyone has to follow suit. If you don't like it, don't watch it, but don't be mad at me if I do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BadLandsMeanie Posted October 18, 2017 Share Posted October 18, 2017 Just guessing: I think fans are still loyal to their particular teams. But I think fans may be less enthralled by the league in general because of the many negative things the NFL has had happen or allowed to happen, or flat out did on purpose. So a fan will watch their own team, but is less likely to watch two teams play that they have no particular loyalty to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlimShady'sSpaceForce Posted October 18, 2017 Share Posted October 18, 2017 I used to watch MNF but the games were more often than not lopsided Lately I can find much better entertainment on other TV channels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffalobloodfloridahome Posted October 18, 2017 Share Posted October 18, 2017 I usually only watch the Thursday, Sunday and Monday night games if it has some sort of fantasy impact for me: The Bills are playing, or it's a great matchup. Other than that it's not worth being tired the next day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heitz Posted October 18, 2017 Share Posted October 18, 2017 @realDonaldTrump .@NFL: Too much talk, not enough action. Stand for the National Anthem. Well, we know that guys stance... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mannc Posted October 18, 2017 Share Posted October 18, 2017 Well, we know that guys stance... Chicken hawk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boyst Posted October 18, 2017 Share Posted October 18, 2017 Their reckless interpretation of the protests is a gross oversimplification of the plights of our fellow Americans--extra emphasis on the "simple." the recklessness is calling them protests. DumbyYeah a few people know like a guy or two. this is also a bogus thing, and this is your opinion and feeling. And I would imagine based on your political leanings that I've seen before that you want to excuse this all as nothing more than poppycock. But it is more than that and you are naive yourself not to see that Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papazoid Posted October 18, 2017 Share Posted October 18, 2017 #1 - digital streaming/ cord cutting #2 - nfl game pass (can watch later in 40 minutes, not 3 hours) shortened attention spans. eliminate endless commercials. #3- Red Zone - had my fill of football before a full night game #4- MNF is not the marquee weekly matchup or the only night game. competes with Sunday & Thursday nights #5 - a deluge of alternate content #6 - more interest in Fantasy stats vs whole games GOOD NEWS - The ratings, while down, are still pretty much the highest on TV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Big Cat Posted October 18, 2017 Share Posted October 18, 2017 Not morons, just people who stand by their convictions. I am not saying I personally agree with their decisions, after all I am still rooting for the Bills and watching games, but I do not judge them for their decisions. I disagree with you here. The conservatives in question are making an independent choice to not watch football anymore because of behavior that they deem offensive. The "snowflake" mentality, as you describe it, is to try and force their ideals on other people. For example: this book, flag, statue etc., offends me and therefore it should be banned forever and NO-ONE should be allowed to read it of see it ever again. There is a big difference there. (I know we are delving into PPP territory here, sorry) That is the difference to me. I respect someone who makes the choice for themselves without insisting that everyone has to follow suit. If you don't like it, don't watch it, but don't be mad at me if I do. To me, standing by empty convictions is moronic behavior. And I'll entertain your point about forcing others vs. disengaging oneself, that's well made. And may be people are engaging in their boycott that way...but not those calling for players to be benched/fined/fired/singled-out by the president, those are all trappings of your (not inaccurate) depiction of snow flake behavior. the recklessness is calling them protests. Dumby this is also a bogus thing, and this is your opinion and feeling. And I would imagine based on your political leanings that I've seen before that you want to excuse this all as nothing more than poppycock. But it is more than that and you are naive yourself not to see that that's true, i actually don't know who labeled them "protests" to begin with. also a point worth entertaining. the second part is a critique of sacred behavior online: snarkiness, and i simply won't have that. also, many a false assumption about my political leanings have been made here and [elsewhere]. nothing new. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boyst Posted October 18, 2017 Share Posted October 18, 2017 To me, standing by empty convictions is moronic behavior. And I'll entertain your point about forcing others vs. disengaging oneself, that's well made. And may be people are engaging in their boycott that way...but not those calling for players to be benched/fined/fired/singled-out by the president, those are all trappings of your (not inaccurate) depiction of snow flake behavior. that's true, i actually don't know who labeled them "protests" to begin with. also a point worth entertaining. the second part is a critique of sacred behavior online: snarkiness, and i simply won't have that. also, many a false assumption about my political leanings have been made here and [elsewhere]. nothing new. #feelings Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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