NFL Draft ratings drop 3%, blames pandemic, streaming, and bad tattoos.
So, apparently Thursday was better than the dumpster fire that was 2023, but Friday and Saturday decided to drag the whole TV ratings down. I mean, who knew that watching a bunch of guys in suits get picked like human cattle could be so riveting, right?
The NFL must be feeling pretty good about themselves though, because they liked the tattoo that the ratings from the first night of the draft left on them. I can just imagine them sitting around in their fancy offices, patting themselves on the back and sending out press releases like they just won the Super Bowl.
But hold on a second, folks. According to recent data analysis (because apparently we need data to tell us what we already know), the total draft audience has experienced a whopping three percent decline. Oh, the horror! The humanity! How will we ever recover from such a devastating blow to our national psyche?
One possible reason for this drop in viewership could be the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. I mean, who wants to risk their lives to watch a bunch of guys in helmets hug each other on stage? I sure don’t. Give me a cold beer and a comfy couch any day over that mess.
And let’s not forget about the rise of streaming services and on-demand content. Who needs to watch the draft live when you can binge-watch your favorite show for the tenth time instead? Choices, choices.
But fear not, dear readers. Industry analysts and stakeholders are on the case, closely monitoring these trends and seeking to understand why people would rather watch paint dry than the NFL draft. Maybe it’s because they’re tired of watching the same old song and dance every year. Maybe it’s because they have better things to do with their time. Who knows?
In the end, the three percent decrease in total draft audience serves as a stark reminder of the changing dynamics of the sports media industry. So, let’s all hold hands and pray that the NFL can figure out how to keep us all entertained for another year. Or not. Who really cares, anyway?