First Round Ratings (for ESPN) Up 23% Over 2009's Ratings

[GP]

Moving the draft to primetime was a success, at least for ESPN's ratings.

NEW YORK -- The ratings for ESPN's first NFL draft in prime time were up 23 percent from last year.

The cable network says it had a 5.3 rating and 7.2 million viewers for the first round of the draft held Thursday night at Radio City Music Hall. It's the most-viewed first round in the network's 31-year history.

Coverage of last year's draft started at 4 p.m. ET on a Saturday and had a 4.3 rating.

ESPN says the draft ranked as the fifth most-watched cable program of the year. The highest-rated markets were Jacksonville, Fla., (10.9) and New Orleans (10.8).

[El Tejano]

I think they went up because it was new. Otherwise, my wife was really pissed I stayed in front of the TV for hours 3 days in a row. She's cool though. She knew it was going to be like that.

[gtexan02]

I actually liked it this way. I felt it gave teams more time to prepare for the 2nd round, which is very important

[texasguy346]

Originally Posted by gtexan02

I actually liked it this way. I felt it gave teams more time to prepare for the 2nd round, which is very important

It certainly seemed like there were more trades this year than in previous years. Especially trades involving players which made it a bit more interesting than usual. I honestly thought I'd hate the format, but it turns out that I really liked it.

[JWarren14]

Hate the new format from a party perspective, rather party all day Saturday and then lay on the couch and recover and watch day 2.

I think it works out better for the teams and for the league making $$$ though. A weekend :30 spot on TV is nothing compared to Thursday night primetime, and you can bet with the ratings increasing the advertising dollars are just going to keep going up and up.


Anybody catch Goodell saying they may move day 3 around to different cities every year? What do you think about that idea?

[awtysst]

As much as I thought I would hate the new format I really liked it. I worked all day on Thursday and I got home in time for the beginning. Since I was at work I did not think about the draft until my drive home. At the end of the first round(which was at a good pace) I was hungry and ready for more. Friday i worked but took off around 3 ish and was home in plenty of time for round 2.Again, working all day kept me from longing for the draft all day. At the end of round 3 I was ready for round 4. On Saturday it started at a good time(not too early and not too late). Plus it gave me all of Sunday to catchup on other chores. So, all in all I loved the new format!

[Ryan]

lol at jacksonville having the best market for the ratings this year. So alot of people were saying "WTF" during their picks.