• The Clubhouse

  • ESPN ratings decline forces network to assume DEFCON II Readiness Posture

This is what happens when an organization gets away from the things that once made them great.

But it's not just that ESPN has moved slightly... the past couple of years, be it through letting go/firing of popular talk show hosts and other on-air personalities/sports writers... refocusing their programming on things like professional poker, strong-man contests, spelling bees, and professional wrestling... and then, to top it off, to not just condone (but encourage) their hosts/writers to involve politics as part of their leading narratives, in hopes of creating controversy (which usually leads to increased ratings), except in this case it has backfired, because people are so longing for a needed distraction from the 24/7/365 utter shit that consumes the programming on CNN, MSNBC and Fox News...

Theirs has been a cataclysmic shift from the things that used to make people like me want to tune in.

And now they're shocked to be dealing with enormous ratings decreases? LOL... People simply want to watch sports highlights. They want to be engaged in sports-related topics, a distraction from the negative shit they've become inundated with. They honestly don't give a flying f**k if the talentless Colin Kaepernick ever plays another down in the NFL, and they're tired of hearing on Monday morning about how many players took a knee on the sidelines during the playing of the National Anthem Sunday because of Kaepernick or whatever other social injustices they feel they need to address.

They've gone from being a sports-devoted channel to CSPAN.... and they won't be around in 5 years unless they make a serious change in course. It is incredible to see where this network was just a decade ago, compared to where it is today. It is just mind boggling.

http://www.espn.com/blog/ombudsman/post/_/id/871/espn-awash-in-rising-political-tide-2

I quit watching 8-10 years ago when they started giving self important blowhards "debate" shows. I'll watch the 30 for 30's on Firestick but I haven't watched their regular programming in years.

    Emmys broadcast had lowest ratings ever with asshole Colbert hosting. Leave the political stuff alone and broadcast sports.

      I still tune in occasionally, but the current crop of hosts they have speak without engagement. They mistakenly believe that self-importance and sarcasm equals colorful, and bore me to sleep between the sports highlights.

      Bill

      For the most part I agree.

      Not that I dislike a good sports debate, but so few sports talk show hosts these days have both enough rationale and intelligence to make substantive arguments about worthy topics. Shannon Sharp and Skip Bayless have to be the poster children of the "blowhard" variety you noted. I literally get sick to my stomach when I see the Fox Sports promo ads lauding their show, they're that pathetic.

      I do like Dan Patrick... his show in the mornings on Fox Sports radio is excellent, and there's really no debating anything. Very informative... a throwback to what a true sports personality used to be like, and he hasn't felt the need to change his schtick.

      And Mike and Mike (on ESPN radio) - the only ESPN show that I still find worth watching.

      They report and discuss sports... not much for controversy. I've listened to them for nearly 20 years. They have a great show! But, ESPN in all their incompetency has decided that both of those guys are better suited going their separate ways and their show will end in December. Once December gets here, I will have no other reason to listen or tune-in.

        You can blame the ESPN head honcho for the political BS.........................

        They are also facing much stiffer competition now than they ever have, courtesy of Fox Sports, which is currently a lot like ESPN used to be a long time ago.

          rsvman

          Agree 100%. Fox Sports is as good (maybe even better) than ESPN used to be.

          Programming is very diverse... UFC, Nascar, NFL, MLB, US Open golf.... not to mention UFC, which has become more popular than a lot of other sports the past several years.

          ESPN had an opportunity to secure a contract with the UFC years ago and declined. Look at what the UFC has done for Fox Sports... it's been incredibly positive. ESPN had no vision then, and they have no vision now. And all of the talented writers/personalities that were let go over the past few years - none of them are regretting it now. It's like they were thrown a career lifeline. Many of them have commented about the demise of their former employer and can't believe the network has imploded like it has.

              Tinker

              I've not watched the Emmys, the Oscars, and most music awards shows as well, for probably a decade now. Nor do I watch any late-night television.

              I'd rather spend two hours jerking myself off with 50-grit sandpaper.

                  I DVR Pardon The Interruption and watch it daily. I think Tony Kornheiser and Mike Wilbon would be great guys to play golf with. Kornheiser is a riot.

                  Beyond that, the 30 for 30s are occasionally good, the Celtics v Lakers special was very entertaining.

                  You're right though - how many shows like PTI where different guys go over the exact same crap every half hour are sustainable? Highly Questionable, Around the Horn, and PTI are basically the same show. I just like K and W the best.

                  ESPN sucks. Never watch it. Sunday night baseball is unwatchable.

                  Like another noted above, I quit watching ESPN and all the other self-congratulating bastards long ago. Not a fan of politics mixing with my entertainment........

                  Michael Jordan was asked years ago, something to the effect of, "as THE most recognizable face in all of sports, why do you remain a-poltical?"

                  His response? "Republicans buy sneakers too."

                  Whether one agrees to Jordan's philosophy matters not... but his response is nevertheless no less significant as it relates to how ESPN has chosen to approach the modern-day cultural/political issues.

                  ESPN, as an organization, is obviously at liberty to maintain whatever company policy they want.

                  And the viewership, likewise, is at liberty to show their disapproval of their content by boycotting/tuning out the network, which has happened in recent months on an enormous scale.

                  This PR memo released to the public, at the very least, suggests that the company is reconsidering the direction with their content. Yet at the same time, I sense more of a "take it or leave it" mindset versus any real sincerity from the network to get back to the way they used to manage their non-political programming.

                  Mind you, this isn't just one-sided. Curt Shilling was another network personality who couldn't refrain from keeping his political viewpoints out of the public social media fray. After letting his opinion be known of the issue involving transgendered males being allowed in female restrooms via social media, Shilling was let go back in April of 2016. It's worth noting that his social media post didn't involve accusing (then) President Barrack Obama of "bigotry" and "black supremacy."

                  Then to compare his transgressions to Jemele Hill's public political tirade via social media a week ago, against the current administration via social media.. who undeniably disrespected the current President of the United States, labeling him as a "bigot" and "white supremacist"... with the network doing little more than putting out a press release that her viewpoints don't necessarily represent the network's?

                  Where is the consistency here? Mind you - I've no problem with Shilling's departure from the network. Company policy there has always dictated that political viewpoints stay out of the fray. Shilling violated company policy and was let go. That's fair play.

                  But what about Jemele Hill? Why does ESPN suddenly feel the need to protect an on-air personality's free speech, company policy be damned?

                  Do they honestly think that a majority of the average viewers, who don't want this political shit meandering into their sports-news programming, can't understand the biases involved?

                  May their ratings continue to plummet.



                    PA-PLAYA - how about the tennis commentator (Adler?) that was fired from ESPN for describing one specific play in which Williams charged the net for saying she “put the guerrilla effect on.” Snowflakes melted down and he's out... He is now suing and I'm guessing there will be some out-of-court settlement so ESPN doesn't have to air their dirty laundry.

                      Stephen A. Smith is ruining that channel. I only watch ESPN to get facts, not opinions. Sportscenter to catch up on who beat who is all I need.

                        PA-PLAYA Agree 100%. Fox Sports is as good (maybe even better) than ESPN used to be.

                        Programming is very diverse... UFC, Nascar, NFL, MLB, US Open golf.... not to mention UFC, which has become more popular than a lot of other sports the past several years.

                        You failed to mention NCAA football where Fox Sports is also rocking it. USC v Texas was the number one watched college game all weekend.

                            Sports center and games.....but even sc is a bit of a waste, as with a few clicks I can have all the info I need/want.