How Much Has NFL Ratings Dropped?

How much have NFL ratings dropped? We take a look at the data to find out.

Introduction

It’s no secret that NFL ratings have been in decline in recent years. But just how much have they dropped?

The answer, it turns out, is quite a lot.

In the 2016 season, NFL ratings were down an average of 8 percent from the previous year, according to Nielsen data. That’s a pretty significant drop, and it’s even more striking when you consider that ratings had already been on the decline for several years before that.

Of course, there are a number of factors that can contribute to falling ratings, and it’s likely that no single reason is responsible for the entire decline. But some of the most commonly cited reasons include declining interest in the sport, increased competition from other entertainment options, and controversy surrounding players kneeling during the national anthem to protest social injustice.

Whatever the reasons for the drop in ratings may be, it’s clear that NFL fans are watching less football than they used to. And that has to be worrying for a league that has long been one of the most popular in all of sports.

NFL’s Current Ratings

The NFL’s current TV ratings have been in a bit of a slump lately. In the 2016 regular season, ratings were down an average of 8 percent from the 2015 season. The 2016 playoffs saw a further decline of 4 percent. And this past year, the 2017 regular season was down 5 percent from 2016. Even the much-anticipated Super Bowl LI between the New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons only saw a 1 percent increase in ratings from the prior year’s game.

Reasons for the Drop in Ratings

There are many reasons that the NFL’s ratings have dropped in recent years. Some of the reasons are the National Anthem protests, the lack of primetime games, and increase in cord-cutting. Let’s take a closer look at each of these reasons.

Lack of Star Power

Many experts have pointed to a lack of star power as the primary reason for the NFL’s rating decline. With retirements and players changing teams, there are fewer recognizable faces on the field than in years past. The league has also been plagued by high-profile player suspensions, which have led some fans to lose interest in the game.

In addition, many of the league’s top stars have been injured this season, including quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers and Andrew Luck. This has deprived fans of seeing some of the game’s best players on the field, which has likely contributed to the decline in ratings.

Poor Quality Games

There are a number of factors that can contribute to falling ratings, but one of the most significant is poor quality games. As Bleacher Report’s Mike Freeman noted, there have been plenty of close and exciting games this season, but there have also been a number of blowouts. When a game is not decided until the final minutes, it is much more likely to draw in viewers than a game that is decided early on.

Competition from Other Leagues

The NFL’s ratings have been in decline since the 2016 season, and there are a number of reasons for this. One of the main reasons is that there is more competition from other leagues, such as the NBA, NHL, and MLB. The NFL is no longer the only game in town, and fans have more choices when it comes to what they watch.

Another reason for the decline in ratings is that the quality of play has declined. This is particularly true of the Thursday Night Football games, which are often mismatches between two bad teams. Fans don’t want to watch bad football, and they’re tuning out in droves.

Finally, there is the issue of player safety. With concussions being such a big issue, many fans are concerned about the long-term health of players. This has led some fans to stop watching altogether, and it has likely contributed to the decline in ratings.

How the NFL Can Improve Ratings

The NFL has seen a decline in ratings over the past few years. This can be attributed to a number of factors, including the retirement of some of the league’s biggest stars, player protests, and a general decline in interest in the sport. The NFL needs to take action to improve its ratings, and it can start by doing the following things…

Improve the Quality of the Games

The first and most obvious way for the NFL to improve its ratings would be to improve the quality of the games. This is easier said than done, of course, as the quality of a given game is largely out of the league’s control. But there are some things that the NFL could do to try to make its product more attractive.

One thing the NFL could do is crack down on penalties. Football is a physical sport, and part of what makes it exciting is seeing big hits and hard tackles. But too often, these plays are negated by penalties – especially holding penalties, which seem to be called with increasing frequency in recent years. This can make games feel less exciting and less physical, which could turn off some viewers.

The NFL could also focus on making its rules more consistent. One complaint often leveled against the league is that it changes its rules on a regular basis, sometimes in mid-season. This can be confusing for viewers (and even players and coaches), and it takes away from the game’s overall clarity and coherence. If the NFL wants viewers to tune in, it needs to give them a product that is easy to follow and understand.

Increase Star Power

The National Football League is the most popular sports league in America, but its ratings have been declining in recent years. There are a number of reasons for this, but one of the biggest is that the league doesn’t have the star power it once did.

In the past, the NFL had legendary quarterbacks like Joe Montana, Johnny Unitas, and Steve Young. These players were household names and their exploits on the field were must-see TV. Today, there are a number of very good quarterbacks, but none of them have the same star power as those of yesteryear.

The NFL needs to find a way to increase the star power of its players. One way to do this would be to create more storylines and promote rivalries between players. Another way would be to make sure that the very best players are more visible, whether that means giving them more camera time or putting them on popular teams.

Whatever the case may be, the NFL needs to find a way to increase the star power of its players if it wants to bring back its lost viewers.

Conclusion

To summarize, the NFL ratings have dropped by about 10% since the 2016 season. This is likely due to a variety of factors, including the National Anthem protests, player safety concerns, and cord-cutting. However, the NFL is still the most popular sport in the United States and its ratings are still well above those of other sports leagues.