(12-16-2014 09:14 AM)Motown Bronco Wrote: Nicer/bigger home entertainment systems, more entertainment options in general, and people having a shorter attention span and can't focus on one thing for 3.5 hours in the Internet social media age... I'm guessing these are the main drivers.
I also wonder if people are becoming even more "bandwagon-ish" and fair weather fan than in the past. I mean, losing records will always ding interest and attendance. But it feels like people are just more fickle now.
I agree and I think the television networks ENCOURAGE folks to sit home and watch the games there.
I see it somewhat as a 'zero sum' game.
Fans can either go to the game or watch the game at home. Schools have the preference for butts in seats for many reasons, e.g., ticket sales, concessions, parking, etc. etc.
ESPN, on the other hand, are perfectly happy with folks sitting home and watching their team on any network, including ESPN3. So long as networks produce good enough ratings they will continue to get big rights fees from cable and dish companies.
And, OF COURSE, mid-week MACtion is case in point. Attendance is sacrificed for national television.
For the consumer, he (or she) can sit home and if their favorite game is a blowout, then simply channel flip.
I'm a channel flipper. This is especially true in September when the MAC plays a lot of OOC games and I change channels to find the best one, which might be an 'Upset Alert' game. I attended one game this year where the games on television were much more attractive than the game I was at...