Bobby Burack
The NFL is back, but the story reads ugly. According to Deadline, opening night is looking at a 10-year low.
In early numbers, the Chiefs win scored a 5.2 among adults 18-49 and 16.4 million viewers between 8-11 p.m. ET. While the number will adjust some upward later to 11:30 p.m., right now it’s a 16.1% drop. In fast affiliates, last night fell the same 16.1%.
There are several reasons for the large drop. Yesterday morning, I ranked the reasons why I expected a decline:
I say down, easily. Last year GB-CHI: 22.7M.
Reasons in order:
1 too political
2 Packers/Rodgers still bigger draw than KC/Mahomes
3 less hype
4 last year Hannity, Carlson drew under 3M; Maddow 2.3M. Those should all be higher tonight
5 Lakers game will take some, not much https://t.co/LxSqY43q3y— Bobby Burack (@burackbobby_) September 10, 2020
Though the NFL actually kept wokeness to a minimum, football fans didn’t give it the chance. It was too late. Fans heard the chatter, saw what happened with Drew Brees, and knew social justice would take priority pregame. Americans expected the players to kneel, thus they avoided finding out.
This number is alarming. Patrick Mahomes is the best show in sports, the Chiefs are a thrill ride. If that combination can’t get fans to ignore the exhausting nonsense, few games will.
Point 4 is worth monitoring. Odds are Sean Hannity and Tucker Carlson drew well over 3 million viewers last night. The awful product that was the Lakers-Rockets game likely wasn’t a factor.
Check back to Outkick for all ratings news. Unlike the rest of the sports media, we don’t pick-and-choose when viewership is covered.
I can already see Bomani Jones, Dan Le Batard, and the rest of ESPN throwing out the topic script to cover the NFL’s rough night.
Had no intention of watching, but then remembered it was on, but lo and behold had to go take a s–t, and forgot all about it again.
Give my best to Goodell.
Mine too.
You made an excellent decision!!!
Shang Tsung voice: IT HAS BEGUN!
Clay and Jason spoke WAY too soon.
Only going to get worse.
Another great write-up, Burack.
You got it – Outkick is… the go to source.
ESPN?
ZZZ
Meh so many more enjoyable things to do. Sadly for sports viewership, COVID-19 has provided folks the opportunity to find other hobbies and interests. All of these woke athletes can thank CNN, MSESPN and the DNC.
What does “Though the NFL actually kept wokeness to a minimum” mean? I didn’t watch last night but sounds like it included:
1) Black national anthem(whatever that is)
2) A pregame moment of silence dedicated to the ongoing fight for equality in our country
3) Texans staying in locker room like cowards during the real national anthem
4) Social justice messages on the field
5) Celebrating lowlifes by putting their names on helmet pads
So if that’s keeping it to a minimum then what’s moderate or maximum? It seems like some of the Outkick writers are suffering fatigue fighting back against these BLM morons and starting to accept some of this garbage.
Sadly, those 5 things you mentioned are actually a minimum compared the NBA, or worse, Women’s soccer who would behead a Trump Supporter at midfield and not miss a beat with their handful of fans.
You forgot:
6) National anthem singers wearing SJW t-shirts with the likeness of Breona Taylor and George Floyd.
I’m just not going to watch, can’t do it…..I’m sure the NFL will do just fine without me. Can’t wait to see the Masters.
I tuned in about halfway through the first. Texans looked terrible and KC started to run away with it. Political activism + snoozer game = bad ratings.
Bobby – great point about the kneeling. I expected kneeling so I didn’t watch to find out, so the fact that there was only one guy on his knees didn’t really matter.
Can’t say I disagree with any of the comments here. If it had not been for the livestream I would have passed on the whole thing.
1000%. Bingo. Today’s show was and is first time in months where I won’t listen hour 2 or 3. After hour 1 i was like. Um. An A? Lol kinda jumped the gun with the perceived positivity before ratings and seeing what happens sunday.
It’s no mystery why ratings are down i mean all that pre game bs by a bunch of overpaid self indulgent cry babies btw i didn’t watch just grabbed a little on youtube what a disaster. Most law abiding Americans aren’t down with celebrating these criminal types every week seems like some player is busted for something whatever happened to honor and integrity National Felon League bye bye.
The Tv ratings for Sports at this time should be off the charts. It’s all they got. I find it ironic that they all dipped their big toe into the division of this country that the ratings for all leagues is waayyy down. We are suppose to be 1 NATION UNDER GOD. Thanks to all the athletes and the radical left this country has erased 70 years of progress. MLK is rolling over in his grave.
Just joined the VIP CLUB. Great job Clay for snagging Whitlock! He’s the main reason I joined. You damn sure ain’t pretty enough alone to get my money.
Haha. But ‘Big Sexy’ Jason Whitlock sure is!
The NFL had a chance to honor say, the first responders on 9/11. Instead they choose to honor a rapist. Someone really needs to take the shovels away from these guys. They’re in far too deep with no shoring.
On point dude.
Who saw this coming. Two functioning eyes could have picked up on it. F the NFL. I am completely out. Will only know the results from web viewing and Clay’s show. Honor those who should be called out. Some criminal cat in a hospital bed – maybe not. A 9/11 responder would be great.
I’ve spent literally hundreds of Sundays — watching the NFL until I was bleary eyed … and wanting more. I have practically sustained the the eye drop industry all by myself.
That ends on Sept. 13, 2020. I’ll now spend Sunday afternoons working out — and listening to
old time rock and roll — Bob Seger, the Eagles, Buddy Holly — plus some great Motown and my revered long version of “Heard it through the Grapevine.”
However, I will turn on the tube to see Tiger and Dustin and Rory battling it out for the Green Jacket and “golf supremacy.”
I did not watch because of the fake politics. I did now want to see the country disrespected so i just stayed away.