What's Happening?
The absence of ESPN and ABC from YouTube TV has led to a significant drop in viewership for Monday Night Football. The game between the Cardinals and Cowboys drew an average of 16.2 million viewers across various platforms, marking a 21.4% decrease from the previous
year's Week 9 audience. The blackout of YouTube TV has forced viewers to find alternative ways to watch, such as rabbit ears or other streaming apps. Despite the drop, the game still achieved ESPN's second-highest Week 9 audience since 2011.
Why It's Important?
The decline in viewership highlights the impact of streaming services on traditional broadcast ratings. The YouTube TV blackout demonstrates the importance of digital platforms in reaching audiences and the potential consequences when access is restricted. This situation underscores the evolving landscape of sports broadcasting, where streaming services play a crucial role in audience engagement. The drop in ratings may prompt broadcasters to reconsider their distribution strategies to ensure wider accessibility and maintain viewership levels.
What's Next?
The upcoming Monday Night Football game between the Packers and Eagles will test whether the viewership decline continues. Broadcasters may seek to resolve the impasse with YouTube TV to restore access and improve ratings. The situation could lead to negotiations aimed at expanding digital distribution to prevent further audience losses.
