MLS Television ratings

[Won_United]

How do you think the MLS television ratings will go this year?

[Stan Collins]

This is not the most earth-shattering poll of all-time, but I'd guess small increase. Maybe Chivas and Landon are good for 0.1.

[MoRado]

How do you think the MLS television ratings will go this year?
they´ll improve,if the US nat´l team keeps playing good it´ll increase even more

[dmike]

like does anyone have the average ratings from season to season?

[Ray Luca]

Metrostars lost players and has gained relatively nothing. Prediction the fing toilet.

[soccermusician]

There might be a slight increase. There are some interesting things to watch like EJ and Ruiz, LD in LA, chivas real salt lake youri, so u never know!!!!

[Justin O]

This is not the most earth-shattering poll of all-time, but I'd guess small increase. Maybe Chivas and Landon are good for 0.1.

I can't see Landon creating an increase, as he's already been around the league a while. I think Chivas might make up for some of the Freddy bump, which will likely be less of a factor this year. About the same I say.

[JRstriker12]

I'm hoping Chivas helps bring more interest to the league and RSL will help open another market. I'm thinking will see a very slight increase.

[loden]

Unless there's going to be a big jump in the quality of soccer played in the MLS, they'll stay the same.

[crusio]

MLS is like a hamster on the wheel. They run but they don't really go anywhere..... Ratings will remain the same.

[crusio]

This is not the most earth-shattering poll of all-time, but I'd guess small increase. Maybe Chivas and Landon are good for 0.1.Why Landon?

[bigredfutbol]

Why Landon?

He's probably the best-known player, and now he's in a bigger market. Not that I think it will help much.

Answering this question was tough, because I had a hard time quantifying the difference between "slight increase/decrease" and "about the same." I do think opening in a new market might help a little bit. How measurable that little bit is, I don't know.

[Indiana Jones]

The Pope can only die once, right? :D

[LocoGueroFutobolista]

And apparently, MLS on ABC can happen what... two more times (ALL-Star, MLS Cup)? Sad, though, that the Pope's death just happened to coincide on the 1 day that many fans of Chivas USA had the chance to see their team live on ABC. Unless they are in the Cup Final, of course.We need to get on broadcast network. Broadband is ok, pay perview and cable is ok, but we need to get on a major network on a regular basis.

[crusio]

He's probably the best-known player, and now he's in a bigger market. Not that I think it will help much.

Answering this question was tough, because I had a hard time quantifying the difference between "slight increase/decrease" and "about the same." I do think opening in a new market might help a little bit. How measurable that little bit is, I don't know.ehhhhhhhhh I guess. I just don't see anyone new tuning in to see that guy. I see rating to be like they have been for the last 8 years. The same.

[ggmannyc]

it would help if media covered mls
they ignore it
cover women college basketball even though nobody cares
i wonder if the media is racist
boxing and soccer(futbol) biggest sports on telemundo
non latin media acts as if these sports dont exist
on network sports telecast allways have a token woman
but no latinos at all its really a joke

[The Lion Keeper]

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.

[Oakland Co United]

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?

It's my understanding that they are changed around quite often. I was contacted and participated in a 2 week test where I had to fill out this log book. Never came of anything though.


As everyone here knows, there is an absolute prejudice against Soccer on T.V.

The only prejudice is for programming that gets ratings. Great shows like Arrested Development teeter on cancellation, while crapola like Listen Up gets renewed (I dont want to get off on a rant here, but why not just follow Tony and Wilbon around for 1/2 an hour every week?).

The reasons are obvious, no commercial slots every few minutes like we have in our beloved American sports. Soccer is not slow and cut up like these games.

If I'm not mistaken, MLS buys the 4-6pm Saturday slot from ESPN, kind of like an infomercial. MLS can go to advertisers and package signboards, uniform ads, those little graphics next to clock, etc and call it a "TV ad". You're not necessarily cutting up the game, but the advertisers message is getting out there.

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.

Speaks to experience here. They can't just go out and hire dudes from England to produce, direct & film games. They have to "teach" the game to existing personnel, many of whom I would guess are not big soccer fans. I watch a lot of English games and I really don't see too much difference between EPL and MLS production. I really liked the skycam used last Saturday. JP and Balboa are serviceable as announcers, much better than their predecessors.

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.

Landon needed to play, wasn't going to happen in Germany, and I've read articles where BL isn't going to use a true #10 anymore. Don't know if his credibility suffered, we'll see how he does with the Galaxy.

The latest round of expansion didn't necessarily increase the national footprint, in net adding only one small market. I think a lot is going to hinge on SportsCenter. In the absence of hockey playoffs, there may be a window for a few more/expanded MLS highlight package on the Saturday Night/Sunday Morning shows. US qualifying may help a little also. I think a small increase is possible.

[humstein]

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.

[gherter]

It's my understanding that they are changed around quite often. I was contacted and participated in a 2 week test where I had to fill out this log book. Never came of anything though.

When they get a log book back that says,

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

They throw it out. :)