People aren't tuning NFL out due to kneeling. People are tuning NFL out because it's bad.

[Auggie]

NFL viewership is down 11% from last year. This author shares opinions why ...

Nate Scott | October 19, 2016

In a USA TODAY Sports report, owners spoke out about the declining viewership, which is down 11% from last year at this time, with a litany of explanations. Some are plausible. It is an election year. The first Sunday and Monday night presidential debates have had huge viewership numbers, which bit into those two NFL nights.

Some of the theories are ridiculous, though, including the theory spouted by Colts owner Jim Irsay and Texans owner Robert McNair that viewership is down because a few NFL players are kneeling during the pre-game anthem to protest police violence against African Americans.

SNIP

The real issues here are twofold: One, there is a ton of other content for people to consume and different ways to consume it. And two, the football has been bad.

It has. The NFL’s rush to expand into every corner of our lives has made it overwhelming, and the quality is suffering. Thursday Night Football games are, and have been for several years now, uniformly terrible. The players are exhausted, the coaches unprepared. They’re routinely sloppy, boring messes of games that feel more like a chore to watch than enjoyment at this point. Teams are afforded so little roster flexibility, they can’t rotate in guys on short weeks, so injuries have gone up.

MORE AT THE LINK: http://ftw.usatoday.com/2016/10/nfl-viewership-ratings-down-owners

Long-term injury aside (my primary reason for abandoning the game), the coverage -- and hype -- has been feeling bloated for years. From the over-produced pre-games shows and telecasts to the innumerable commercial breaks (including having to watch to the same commercials ad nauseam) and "TV timeouts," it's just not an investment in three plus hours I want to make anymore.

[MADem]

1. I tune them out because they pre-empt JEOPARDY! with stupid pre-game and analysis shows.

A bunch of assholes run around on a field with helmets and padding chasing and tackling each other to the hard cold ground. What's to discuss? It's not rocket science. It's a sport that is discredited because it causes life-shortening brain injuries to the players.

But without fail, during football season, those bastards shift JEOPARDY! to 2 a.m. I don't have a DVR. I either watch the show, or miss it, because it's not available ON DEMAND.

It's INFURIATING--Sony, which owns JEOPARDY! should be bullshit on behalf of their viewers.

[Fix The Stupid]

2. Sorry, #1 reason, and this is strictly my own observations...

Is that the 'some' of the games appear to have the refs leaning towards a certain outcome...

I've been a lions fan for too long now - trust me...this is a feeling that is growing out there...

Someone really needs to do a little documentary/internet video showing all the questionable calls the last 5 or so seasons...taken together leaves one with a feeling that certain games are 'rigged'.

Maybe crazy tin-foil hat stuff, but the sentiment is out there and I understand why.

[joeybee12]

9. I agree...it may just be because there are so many more camera angles,

more media covering all the games that produces more scrutiny than in the past, but it does seem the refs are making really bad calls especially when it matters.

[stopbush]

3. I like to put football on because it helps me fall asleep.

Nothing like napping, especially when you aren't missing much.

[ProfessorGAC]

4. I Do Not Recall EVER Seeing A Good Thursday Night Game

For decades there was a hangover from being one of the two teams to play on Monday night. Now the Thursday games.



If they insist on Thursday night games, they should limit the number and then only put the 2 teams that had a bye the week before. Then, the Thursday night teams would have a full 11 days to heal and prepare.

Otherwise, just give Thursday nights to the NBA.

[Yavin4]

7. Thursday night football needs to end. Why not show classic games?

Or do some NFL stories.

[VWolf]

5. Yep, the games are too long - here's what I do

On the rare occasion that I want to watch a game, I'll record it and start watching about 20 minutes before it supposed to end. I jump ahead (about 30 seconds) after each play, and skip the adverts entirely. So all I see is the action, compressed into 15 minutes. Then I watch the end of the game live (if it's close). Amazing how much time that frees up.

In all honesty, I prefer watching soccer. 45 minutes of continuous action, 1 pee break, then another 45. Then you're done.

In all, all, all honesty, I prefer PLAYING soccer, but my legs are getting old and weary.

[freebrew]

6. Kinda like Dump...

always blame someone else...

The NFL, or whatever they are now, lost me when they moved my team.

They tried to get me to like another team, from another town.
They moved back.
My team is in another state now.
I haven't watched football since.
And yes, there's too much pregame crap.
And postgame crap.
And the game itself takes all freaking day, it seems.

I watch soccer now.

[KamaAina]

8. The Thursday night games should be built around bye weeks

Team plays Sunday the 1st, Thursday the 12th, and Sunday the 22nd. This is how college football manages to be on every. single. night. of. the. week.