MLS Television ratings

[Oakland Co United]

When they get a log book back that says,

Soccer
Soccer
Soccer
Soccer
Soccer
Soccer
Porn
Soccer
Soccer
Soccer
Soccer ...

They throw it out. :)

"What's an Everton?"

[loden]

Really - It doesnt' matter- for now.

MLS is still in its "catering to its base" stage.
Which means convincing US soccer fans that the MLS is worth watching.

I'll have to chime in that at this point, it's not.

[CanuckFan]

The Pope can only die once, right? :D

Careful, it is close to Easter after all.

Speaking of miraculous events, I'd like to see those 'BL rules out use of a number 10' articles.

[Bonji]

SLC had a 6 rating in SLC for the opening game. That has to be one of the highest ratings ever. It translated into 24,000 houses watching the game on TV.

That being said, I don't see the ratings doing much different from last year.

[futbolfutbol]

First of all, I completely do not trust, what are advertised as, television ratings. I truly feel these are made up figures to sway viewers on what they should be watching. Who are these Nielson families and how often are they
changed? As everyone here knows, there is an absolute prejudice against Soccer on T.V.. The reasons are obvious, no commercial slots every few minutes like we have in our beloved American sports. Football: 3 second play,
30 second commercial slot, 3 sec. play, etc. Baseball: even more suitable.
Soccer is not slow and cut up like these games. When they do air MLS games,
I feel they purposely try to dull it down (not that MLS needs any help there)
to suppress the growth of the game. Don't believe that? Watch the camera production of an EPL game versus and ABC broadcast and listen to the announcers.
As far as Landon goes, I like him but I think his running back home with his tail between his legs lost him credibility as a great potential player. He failed his first time out, now was his time to go back and show how he has matured.
Instead, he just failed again. He is not a draw anymore.
Chivas will help, Real probably a little bit too for a while. EJ, for those who follow the game may get some additional viewers. (like 3 or 4 more).
Go FC Dallas.


Could not agree with you more the games on TV are so freaking slow. Don't they know how to shoot the game properly. EVen the games in the mexican league are shot better than MLS. Don't get me wrong I like to watch soccer on tv but the MLS is unwatchable.

[GuinnessFC]

Could not agree with you more the games on TV are so freaking slow. Don't they know how to shoot the game properly. EVen the games in the mexican league are shot better than MLS. Don't get me wrong I like to watch soccer on tv but the MLS is unwatchable.

THis is something I have to agree on. When watching MLS matches the production of the telecast rarely captures the essence of the match. As mentioned when you watch other leagues the camera work brings the viewing into the match. I am not sure what needs to be done or why nothing has been attmepted in the past to prived a better telecast.

This is my feeling about what leads to poor viewership. I mean in our case(the MLS) is the top flight league but we do not have top flight TV production in our matches. This is one of the key areas that needs to be addressed by the higher ups in the MLS I beleive. Granted the importance is to put butts in the seats ect.... BUt when you see a match on the tele with poor production and on-air talent I beleive that relfects negatively about the league.. Just my thoughts I could be way off, but flet like sharing :)

[crusio]

Really - It doesnt' matter- for now.

MLS is still in its "catering to its base" stage.
Which means convincing US soccer fans that the MLS is worth watching. When this period is over then the masses can be won over.In what way is MLS catering to its base or embracing US Soccer fans?

[scsurge22]

The only problem I have with the MLS is that I lose interest very fast. After watching the opening games I really have a hard time following at least one team throughout the season. I try to catch games whenever I can but its just really hard. After about the first month I revert back to my Premier League games.

[Detective40oz]

The only problem I have with the MLS is that I lose interest very fast. After watching the opening games I really have a hard time following at least one team throughout the season. I try to catch games whenever I can but its just really hard. After about the first month I revert back to my Premier League games.

That's because you live in New York and who wants to follow the Metros anyways?

[bigredfutbol]

To be honest, I don't think soccer translates well to TV. You just don't get a feel for the game the way a good NFL telecast can make watching football on TV a fun experience.

It's kind of like baseball that way. People tune in to watch baseball because they know the sport and care about the teams--the popularity of the sport lifts up it's TV viewership, where I really do think that the NFL, for example, actually wins over fans with its broadcasts.

MLS will get better ratings when a lot more people care about the teams and want to follow them. There's nothing much you can do with the broadcasts to bump up ratings.

[futbolfutbol]

THis is something I have to agree on. When watching MLS matches the production of the telecast rarely captures the essence of the match. As mentioned when you watch other leagues the camera work brings the viewing into the match. I am not sure what needs to be done or why nothing has been attmepted in the past to prived a better telecast.

This is my feeling about what leads to poor viewership. I mean in our case(the MLS) is the top flight league but we do not have top flight TV production in our matches. This is one of the key areas that needs to be addressed by the higher ups in the MLS I beleive. Granted the importance is to put butts in the seats ect.... BUt when you see a match on the tele with poor production and on-air talent I beleive that relfects negatively about the league.. Just my thoughts I could be way off, but flet like sharing :)

I would also like to vent a bit on the sorry excuse for TV coverage. I can't believe it is that hard to produce a freaking soccer game.(football match for the all your Brits out there).

Every country in the world is better than the U.S. coverage. Does anyone remember the "Philips Goal Cam." It was a stationary camera with a crappy angle and crappy black and white picture from inside the goal. How sad!!! I was embarrassed for ESPN/ABC. I know that all it takes is a little more effort for ESPN to learn from other international soccer broadcast to correct this problem and I know this would be much more pleasing to watch on a Saturday afternoon. (one of the worst time slots ever by the way)

I have tried to comment on this issue on numerous occassions to others, about the way the games are show on TV and no one seems to understand until they watch an international soccer feed of the World Cup or confederations Cup etc etc!!!

You are Pathetic ESPN/ABC

Does anyone know if other countries use better camera's or better equipment. I Just don't get.

anyway just a thought.

[crusio]

The only problem I have with the MLS is that I lose interest very fast. After watching the opening games I really have a hard time following at least one team throughout the season. I try to catch games whenever I can but its just really hard. After about the first month I revert back to my Premier League games.Brace yourself man... I sense a Euronob comment coming in your direction.

[bigredfutbol]

Brace yourself man... I sense a Euronob comment coming in your direction.


Well, he shouldn't. He tries to watch, and what else can an MLS fan (such as myself) ask for? Kudos to you, scsurge22, for giving MLS a chance. Keep checking it out--hopefully, one of these seasons the level of play will be high enough to keep you engaged all the way through the playoffs.

[bigredfutbol]

For some reason, I can't edit the above post--what I mean is that while I'm sure crusio is right, a 'Eurosnob' accusation is totally unwarranted. Not that there's really anything wrong with being one (I'd rather root for a domestic team, but that's just me).

[futbolfutbol]

To be honest, I don't think soccer translates well to TV. You just don't get a feel for the game the way a good NFL telecast can make watching football on TV a fun experience.

It's kind of like baseball that way. People tune in to watch baseball because they know the sport and care about the teams--the popularity of the sport lifts up it's TV viewership, where I really do think that the NFL, for example, actually wins over fans with its broadcasts.

MLS will get better ratings when a lot more people care about the teams and want to follow them. There's nothing much you can do with the broadcasts to bump up ratings.

I think you are wrong!! The MLS games are soooooooo boring and I enjoy watching the sport. it is the way they broadcast the games too. admittedly, people watch because they have to care about the teams but people also watch to be entained. I watch because I like the team, but the games are so boring I have to take breaks during the broadcast so I don't fall asleep.

it is all in the presentation... I hate Nebraska (no offense)

[bigredfutbol]

I think you are wrong!! The MLS games are soooooooo boring and I enjoy watching the sport. it is the way they broadcast the games too. admittedly, people watch because they have to care about the teams but people also watch to be entained. I watch because I like the team, but the games are so boring I have to take breaks during the broadcast so I don't fall asleep.

it is all in the presentation... I hate Nebraska (no offense)


Fair enough. I would certainly agree that televised Premiership matches beat televised MLS matches.

What the hell did Nebraska do to you? You're not some degenerate Colorado fan, are you? :p

[futbolfutbol]

Fair enough. I would certainly agree that televised Premiership matches beat televised MLS matches.

What the hell did Nebraska do to you? You're not some degenerate Colorado fan, are you? :p


I use to live in Omaha for a few years (2) and I really disliked your previous coach Frank Solich.

But you have a winner now ("the autumn wind was a raider")

Just win baby!!!

[loden]

To be honest, I don't think soccer translates well to TV. You just don't get a feel for the game the way a good NFL telecast can make watching football on TV a fun experience.

My friend, you need to watch some GOOD soccer then. Don't watch the boring EPL games, they're a snorefest unless Chelsea is playing. The most exciting football is played by the less technical and the more aggressive/physical sides. You won't see much dazzling technique such as shown by the Real Madrid monkeys, nor will you see many pretty passes such as those common in the EPL. Instead you will witness a real battle, not a hat trick contest. A gut check. That said watch Juve, Milan, Munich, Chelsea games, and if they don't raise your pulse, you must be dead already.

[The Lion Keeper]

Ahh, the magic of T.V.. Its the many subtle differences that make the whole
production better. There are tricks to every trade and I am sure ESPN/ABC
can make a soccer fan out of Amer. Football fan, Bubba in Texas, with the right camera work and production.
Watch the way an Amer. Football game is shown. If you analyze it, you will see that the show is much more than a Football game. They show stats, interviews, digital effects, about 100 different camera angles. Then watch an MLS game. They will dedicate 2 cameras if they really feel like going all out. If they were to show an NFL game the way they show an MLS game, NFL would eventually have the same ratings as MLS. Just think of how boring a Football game would be if just simply had a camera half way up the stadium shooting just the game, waiting for something to happen. The little 3 yard runs would be painstakingly boring. A 10 or 20 yard pass would be no big deal. Its all about getting the camera in the action and seeing the play from different angles, being able to see the skills, the footwork, the athleticism close up along with the wide angles to see the movement off of the ball. There is probably so much that we have no idea about, that goes into a professional production of a sporting event, things like the coordination and timing of the cameras.
Again, I go back to my original point, I don't think they want the game to get big. Either they think it may ruin the huge money making gig that they have going on right now or its just your Jim Rome (and other sports announcers) induced prejudice against the game. I sent an e-mail to Jim Rome asking that pencil neck to come out and play a game against me. Then we will see how wimpy a game he thinks it is.
I am waiting for the day that a soccer fan becomes the head of one the big networks and demands Soccer be reported on the news. I think getting Soccer in the sports reports consistently, will bring the game into a more prominent position in the eyes of sports fans. The game needs that respect
here in the U.S.. I think that would be even bigger than the occasional
Saturday at 1:30pm(or whatever it is) game coverage on ABC.
Most Americans have no idea how big this stuff is around the rest of the world. We are the lucky few, right now, smart enough to enjoy it.

[futbolfutbol]

Good Job on the above put well done chap!!