(10-26-2017 07:22 PM)Frank the Tank Wrote: (10-26-2017 01:50 PM)stever20 Wrote: I think it's more quite frankly that there's been for whatever reason fewer big games this year. I mean realistically what games that we've seen so far would we have expected big audiences for? The Michigan/Penn St game had the disadvantage of going up against the LCS game 7 with the Yankees.
I do think it's been a case of audience splintering. I mean we had 1 night with ND/Georgia, Ohio St/Oklahoma, Auburn/Clemson, and I think there was a Fox game as well at the same time. So a lot more splintering. Thru 8 weeks this year there's been 73 games with at least 2 million viewers. That compares to only 62 last year same time. Last 2 weeks- it is a 20-14 edge for this year
I generally agree. I don't think lower ratings have anything to do with supposed political factors. That's a red herring. There simply aren't as many great matchups and, to the extent that there are, I believe you have a good point that too many of them have been on at the exact same time. Last year, it seemed like there was at least one huge matchup each week. Also, since all of the top Big Ten games were still on ABC/ESPN last year, ABC/ESPN could slot the times so that weeks where multiple conferences had big games wouldn't be going up against each other.
Well Frank that's because neither of you would be among those offended by the political factors. I promise you that it is no red herring down here.
But the underscored I agree is a big part of the problem as well. It's is not the only factor, but it is a big one.
The biggest issue I have with left, or right, leaning millennials is that if something is not experienced by them it doesn't exist. If it happened before they came of age it is not important. And if it is contrary to their limited, but collective, world view it is automatically not a valid point or issue.
I would say the NFL is bleeding down on College Sports and by the end of the year the numbers will reflect it. But it's more than that. The gross lack of values being put on display by schools like Penn State, Baylor, and North Carolina are impacting the numbers as well. But then so too is the true economy where wages for most don't keep up with the real inflation that includes food & fuel costs. Couple those factors with the rapid rise of health care costs and many people are dealing with issues far and away more crucial than sports. The annoyance of the protests and the emblematic loss of values by the schools mentioned simply help them to tune out and turn off.
Now if you don't like the reality of that then fine. Just bury your heads in the sand and I'm sure the problem will magically go away. Probably exactly as well as it goes away when the problem is the national debt, health care, terrorism, and a palpable militaristic build up in Asia, and I'm not talking about North Korea. I'm sure the declining attendance that most of your venues have experienced is just fictitious as well. Just like the increasingly bad basketball numbers and the 10% sag of the NFL.
Most Americans have always, and will continue to, vote with their feet on all of the issues your generation is so certain they are correct about. They simply quit going to churches they no longer believe teach the truth, simply quit donating to things that don't reflect their values, and don't attend events where things are expressed that are offensive to them. They don't march, protest, or throw hissy fits on TV. They just withhold their support. I'd say ESPN is feeling some that. FOX's numbers stink so much that they just about don't matter. And ESPN's portrayal of college sports continues to irritate people to the point of making them turn off.
Stocks, ratings, donations and gate numbers all tell the same story. I'd say that is one red herring that is flopping all over the dock. Too bad it isn't a catfish. A catfish flopping around would fin you and then you would have to acknowledge it.
I truly feel sorry for you. You can't address a problem until it is acknowledged. You can't solve one without admitting the mistakes that led to it. And you can't implement the solution without apologizing for the breakdown and seeking the return of the clients you've lost. I find all three to be virtually impossible for folks these days.