Thanksgiving Day Games

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by Takeuon

I don't agree with PFT on this or understand the logic. If we are to understand that they save the "better" games to be televised on Sunday it goes against what I think the sponsors would want. Which is a NATIONAL AUDIENCE. The Sunday games are only broadcast in specific regions and don't reach anywhere near what a Nationally televised game reaches. Not to mention in most house holds on Thanksgiving there is usually some TV on somewhere and its usually on football.
Let's be honest we all know the networks want more $$$ so it seems to me it would be in their best interest to televise a STRONG game that would command a higher advertising rate.???

Well, networks also want to build their own viewership to hurt their competition as well. Putting a premium game at 4:15 on a Sunday, or "flexing" it to the night game will draw huge ratings, and as PFT says, "pry eyeballs away from better television alternatives (on Sundays)."

Like you said, on Thanksgiving in most households, some TV somewhere is on and it's usually football. So if that's the case, airing crappy games on Turkey Day doesn't matter as far as ratings, because there is no competition. People have the games on regardless of who is playing.

The 4:15/8:30 Sunday games are nationally televised anyway, so putting a stronger game in those slots and keeping the lowly Lions on Thanksgiving is smart. You'll have a big, national audience for both.