Most Watched Super Bowls

[RiverDog]

I thought that this would be worth a discussion. The most watched Super Bowl was SB 49, the second most watched SB 48, and I don't have to tell my fellow 12's that the Seahawks participated in both. Last year's Super Bowl sunk to the 9th most watched:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/mo ... spartanntp

I'd be willing to bet that this year's contest won't fare much better than last year's. So has the event peaked or is it simply a matter of who's playing?

[Aseahawkfan]

Seahawks were exciting to watch. That defense was fearsome. The offense was pulling off miracle catches. If we had one that last one, we would be immortal.

[RiverDog]

Seahawks were exciting to watch. That defense was fearsome. The offense was pulling off miracle catches. If we had one that last one, we would be immortal.

Well, I wouldn't say "immortal", but it would have elevated us to an elite level with teams that have won two consecutive SB's, ie Packers, Dolphins, Steelers, et al.

Actually I was posing a question: This year's SB is destined to be one of the least watched in quite awhile. Is it due to the combination of people being tired of the Patriots and the Rams pathetic fan base, or has NFL football hit its ceiling? Will people protest the horrible call in the Saints game by tuning out of the SB? Will the Kaepernick situation have an effect?

[HawkDawg]

I would say all of the above. People are sick of the Brady dynasty, suspicious about the refs, more and more data on injuries and CTE's, insane salaries, penalties called on every other down and now we have politics involved (my biggest peeve since the NFL used to be my reprieve from the political world), etc.

It sure feels like a dying sport. Makes me sad to see things come to this, but I'd say enjoy it while you can.

[RiverDog]

I would say all of the above. People are sick of the Brady dynasty, suspicious about the refs, more and more data on injuries and CTE's, insane salaries, penalties called on every other down and now we have politics involved (my biggest peeve since the NFL used to be my reprieve from the political world), etc.

It sure feels like a dying sport. Makes me sad to see things come to this, but I'd say enjoy it while you can.

I don't think I'll see the sport marginalized in my lifetime, but certainly in my daughter's. IMO it will start dying from its roots, starting as the offspring of millenials enter high school. The cost of operating football teams, insurance rates, and of course, long term health will all factor in.

But for the short term, fans really are tired of the Patriots, and Tom Brady quite simply is not a likable person (I've debated this opinion with my Pats fan friends), the most recent example being his walking off the field at the end of last season's SB without offering congratulations to his opposing QB, Nick Foles. Those facts, more than any others, will be the root cause of the anticipated decline on Sunday.

I do think that viewership in at least the SB game will rebound next season if we get two different teams not named the Patriots and a team from a little better fan base than the hapless Rams, but I agree with you that we've seen the zenith.

[Hawktawk]

If it were summer I might go mow the lawn or go for a boat ride before watching this snooze fest. Never been less excited about the championship game

[EmeraldBullet]

Back in the day my friends and family would watch it just for the commercials, even if they didn't care for the actual game. Now theres going to be so many political commercials even that type of viewer is left out and has no reason to watch.

[RiverDog]

Back in the day my friends and family would watch it just for the commercials, even if they didn't care for the actual game. Now theres going to be so many political commercials even that type of viewer is left out and has no reason to watch.

The friend of mine that I'll be watching the game with has an especially strong aversion towards any commercials, so he records the game then waits an hour or so before replaying it so he can fast forward through the commercials. I don't particularily care for that method when there's a game, such as the Hawks, that I have a keen interest in, but this year, I don't really give a rip so I'm letting him watch it his way. Besides, it's just an excuse to get together, drink some beer, and tell lies to each about our sexual conquests.

[idhawkman]

...and tell lies to each about our sexual conquests.

Be careful, your getting awful close to a Trump on the bus moment with this comment.

Actually, I think there are a number of factors that are contributing to the degradation of the league.

1. Too many penalties and the inconsistency of officiating. People want a fair game, not a skewed result intentional or not.
2. The politics of it all (which seems to have rebound this year 5% since they didn't have the kneeling aired.)
3. Soccer
4. Parents not wanting their kids to play the sport for injuries (the young fans are wanting to watch Bundesliger soccer instead of NFL)
5. regarding the SB, the commercials are for crap now. (although the one at halftime for 100 years of NFL was good).
6. Fantasy Football - eroding the loyalty of the fan to a team.

I could really care less about the game this year so I only tuned into the half time show. That wasn't that great either as far as the sound went but the drone lights was pretty good.

[RiverDog]

Actually, I think there are a number of factors that are contributing to the degradation of the league.

1. Too many penalties and the inconsistency of officiating. People want a fair game, not a skewed result intentional or not.
2. The politics of it all (which seems to have rebound this year 5% since they didn't have the kneeling aired.)
3. Soccer
4. Parents not wanting their kids to play the sport for injuries (the young fans are wanting to watch Bundesliger soccer instead of NFL)
5. regarding the SB, the commercials are for crap now. (although the one at halftime for 100 years of NFL was good).
6. Fantasy Football - eroding the loyalty of the fan to a team.

I could really care less about the game this year so I only tuned into the half time show. That wasn't that great either as far as the sound went but the drone lights was pretty good.

I agree about the officiating, particuarily in the conference championship games. There's always complaints about it, but this season seems different as it yielded two unpopular teams at the expense of two relatively popular ones.

The politics is still there, and it's having a negative effect. There were a number of entertainers that said that if invited, they wouldn't perform at the SB. The next issue will be how many of the Patriots will turn down the Happy Meals at the White House and stay home in protest.

Agree with you regarding both soccer and parents discouraging their kids from playing football. I'd combine both observations with an overall category of millennials not being enthusiastic about sports in general. Buffalo Wild Wings isn't bringing in millennials as they seem to gravitate to wine and craft beer bars.

Actually I think that FF is the one positive thing that's helping to prop up NFL football. I know that both my kids wouldn't have hardly any interest at all if not for FF.

[idhawkman]

I agree about the officiating, particuarily in the conference championship games. There's always complaints about it, but this season seems different as it yielded two unpopular teams at the expense of two relatively popular ones.

Follow the money. NE is a much bigger market than KC and L.A. is a wanna-be market (and much bigger even if they are not behind the NFL yet) than N.O. This was about the money IMO.

The politics is still there, and it's having a negative effect. There were a number of entertainers that said that if invited, they wouldn't perform at the SB. The next issue will be how many of the Patriots will turn down the Happy Meals at the White House and stay home in protest.

I literally busted out laughing at this. I'm guessing a direct reference to the Clemson ordeal at the WH?

Agree with you regarding both soccer and parents discouraging their kids from playing football. I'd combine both observations with an overall category of millennials not being enthusiastic about sports in general. Buffalo Wild Wings isn't bringing in millennials as they seem to gravitate to wine and craft beer bars.

I think the millenials are enthusiastic about watching violence - that's the most popular xbox and nintendo games (violent ones). Problem is, the NFL has been issuing pillows and blankies and its not the same game. Not saying it is right or wrong but the kids want to see violent collisions and the NFL doesn't want that anymore.

Actually I think that FF is the one positive thing that's helping to prop up NFL football. I know that both my kids wouldn't have hardly any interest at all if not for FF.

Exactly! No loyalty to a single team. How do you root for a single team if you are rooting for multiple individuals that are spread among various teams. To add to this, the salary cap has also helped to deminish team loyalty as your favorite player may or may not be playing here next year...