Inspired by the terrible ratings MLS has received since the Olympics began, I want to start a discussion of MLS's TV schedule. The NFL season is rapidly approaching, so things aren't going to get better the rest of the year.
My main question is whether it's worth it for MLS to even try to compete heads up with the NFL. The NFL plays their games on Thursday, Sunday, and Monday of each week. Sunday and Monday are the biggest TV viewing days in the US: http://www.statista.com/statistics/299397/numver-primetime-tv-viewers-day-of-the-week-usa/
But how much of those number are simply due to the massive numbers of people that would tune in to NFL games no matter what day of the week they are on? And the difference between the days isn't drastic, it's 14% at most.
MLS seems to want Sundays because it rates as the highest TV day of the week. But if it's close to a zero-sum competition, that should drastically reduce the attractiveness of Sunday, no?
Now, the MLS and NFL seasons only cross for a few weeks a year, but they are major weeks for MLS as the season winds down and the playoff race heats up. Because of that, and for consistency's sake, my weekly calendar proposal in ET is as follows:
Wednesday - 9:00 pm national game
Friday - 9:00 pm national game
Saturday - 1:00 pm local games, 4:00 pm local/national games, 7:00 pm national game
This would accomplish a couple different things. First, it completely avoids NFL days of Monday, Thursday, and Sunday. Second, it concentrates games on Saturday afternoon which can use EPL and European leagues as a lead-in. Third, it established Wednesday as a regular soccer night instead of just occasional midweek matches. (You know those Monday Night Football commercials that market Monday nights as bonus weekend nights? MLS could market Wednesday as weekend previews, or hump day celebrations, etc.)
Finally, I wish they would put some effort into playing the MLS Cup on Black Friday. Such a perfect calendar day with many people off of work.
Thoughts?
My main question is whether it's worth it for MLS to even try to compete heads up with the NFL. The NFL plays their games on Thursday, Sunday, and Monday of each week. Sunday and Monday are the biggest TV viewing days in the US: http://www.statista.com/statistics/299397/numver-primetime-tv-viewers-day-of-the-week-usa/
But how much of those number are simply due to the massive numbers of people that would tune in to NFL games no matter what day of the week they are on? And the difference between the days isn't drastic, it's 14% at most.
MLS seems to want Sundays because it rates as the highest TV day of the week. But if it's close to a zero-sum competition, that should drastically reduce the attractiveness of Sunday, no?
Now, the MLS and NFL seasons only cross for a few weeks a year, but they are major weeks for MLS as the season winds down and the playoff race heats up. Because of that, and for consistency's sake, my weekly calendar proposal in ET is as follows:
Wednesday - 9:00 pm national game
Friday - 9:00 pm national game
Saturday - 1:00 pm local games, 4:00 pm local/national games, 7:00 pm national game
This would accomplish a couple different things. First, it completely avoids NFL days of Monday, Thursday, and Sunday. Second, it concentrates games on Saturday afternoon which can use EPL and European leagues as a lead-in. Third, it established Wednesday as a regular soccer night instead of just occasional midweek matches. (You know those Monday Night Football commercials that market Monday nights as bonus weekend nights? MLS could market Wednesday as weekend previews, or hump day celebrations, etc.)
Finally, I wish they would put some effort into playing the MLS Cup on Black Friday. Such a perfect calendar day with many people off of work.
Thoughts?