Why are NFL ratings up this season? TV executives say Patrick Mahomes is one reason

[IDEXAN]

It seems that Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is must-see TV across the nation and not just in Kansas City.

The NFL’s television ratings have rebounded in 2018, and executives are giving part of the credit to Mahomes.

According to NBC News, the ratings are up about 3 percent through five games this season compared to the same period in 2017. NBC noted that the NFL viewership dropped 9.7 percent in the 2017 regular season as some fans were upset about players who protested about police brutality by kneeling during the playing of the national anthem. In 2016, the regular season had an 8 percent decline.

So what’s behind the increased numbers this season? Three executives who spoke withJohn Ourand of that Sports Business Journalmentioned Mahomes by name.https://www.star-telegram.com/sports/nfl/article219786510.html

 

[Shishkabob]

I think a lot of it is most teams now have a QB they can feel good about. Whether the teams are competitive or not doesn't matter as much because a lot of teams have a young QB that the fan base wants to watch grow.

I do hate the part of the article that list the protest as the reason for the 9.7% drop, why not mention other factors as well and how it has affected viewership of all sports, and tv programming over the last few years? The 9.7% drop isn't as bad as the average 14% drop that major networks reported for their prime time TV shows, is is quite a bit less than the 18% drop that NASCAR saw and we know none of the drivers are protesting. Drop in ratings is more tied to online streaming that still isn't being accounted for than it is to the protests

 

[JB]

I think Philly winning the Superb Owl and LA Rams finally having a good season (LAC doesn't hurt either) has as much or more to do with it