If there were any doubt heading into the heavily promoted debut of the NFL on the league's flagship channel, its going to be a long slog for the NFL Network.
Last Thursday's Thanksgiving Day game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Denver Broncos averaged 4.2 million total viewers, according to Nielsen, and a 2.3 household rating. While that's not the lowest rating ever for an NFL regular-season game, coming in just ahead of an Atlanta Falcons-Carolina Panthers game on TNT in 1997, it's also barely a third of what a typical "Monday Night Football" matchup draws on ESPN.
There are also some cable ratings at the end of the article if you're interested in seeing how the ratings and demos for this game compared with the ESPN Monday game (not to mention RAW).
Had I been home to watch the game on DirecTV, I would have watched at least the first half. But I had traveled to my brother-in-law's house, and his cable doesn't offer the channel.
"To be the man, you gotta beat demands." -- The Lovely Mrs. Tracker
Well, at least it isn't all doom and gloom. There are 41 million households with the NFL Network as opposed to 92 million with ESPN.
Originally posted by the articleTaking that into consideration, along with the fact that Thanksgiving Day viewing is typically light, the game didnt do too badly. It earned a 6.8 cable rating, which represents a percentage of viewers with NFL Network access who watched. And the network points out that it was the most-watched program on cable that day.
I think part of this too is that MNF is an institution - people know to tune in Monday night like clockwork. This is the first year that there's been a third game on Thanksgiving, and three games on a holiday may be a bit much. That said, I'd be surprised if the ratings don't go up next year (at least due to increased penetration and awareness.) I'd be more concerned if tonight's ratings are low. They've got a game with playoff implications between two strong division rivals. I don't get the NFL Network, but I'll be watching at the bar tonight.
You believe me, don't you? Please believe what I just said...
I think there's a big difference between being the first game of the week and the last game of the week, at least to the gambling and fantasy football fanbases.
They are simply trying to gradually move the NFL to PPV status. This will slowly gain traction and people will get used to the fact that they will have to buy a premium station(s) to watch. Likely within 10 years no football will be seen on free TV and I officially wont give a rat's ass about the NFL.
The total number of actual viewers for the game would be slightly higher. The game was also simulcast on local network channels in Kansas City and Denver. The way I read it is that only 4.2 million watched the NFL Network feed.
College football started on PPV in 1993 and people were speculating that "all football will be gone from free TV within 10 years" back then. But with the popularity of stuff like OnDemand and TiVO, I could definitely see cable packages being more flexible and customizable in the future.
Having seen the game last night, I have to say I'm bothered by Bryant Gumbel's style. His voice is too high, and he sounds almost bored. He's the biggest flaw I've seen with their game coverage so far. But hiring Deion Sanders for the halftime show is inexcusable.
But Collinsworth is fantastic in the booth.
"To be the man, you gotta beat demands." -- The Lovely Mrs. Tracker
Originally posted by Matt TrackerHaving seen the game last night, I have to say I'm bothered by Bryant Gumbel's style. His voice is too high, and he sounds almost bored. He's the biggest flaw I've seen with their game coverage so far.
I'd agree. On one particular play, Gumbel enthusiastically called Mike Bell making the first down. "Does he have enough?! YES! He makes the first down!" When, in fact, Bell had simply crossed the red line that denoted the line of scrimmage. We were fairly drugged up on turkey, but wanted to toss a recliner at the TV after that.
http://danharmon.tumblr.com/ This sucks so badly. They pretty much replaced Harmon without even calling him to let him know and he has no say in anything for Season 4 so basically he had his assistants pack his office and is done.