TV ratings

**Neely2005** · 08-07-2016, 08:31 PM

@czelkov: @Qman604 Not really: Argos/Redblacks 562,000. TFC game didn't register (season average 38,000).

https://twitter.com/czelkov/status/760928050095677440

**mint83** · 08-08-2016, 01:26 AM

I know these are national TV numbers but I am at a loss to understand why the Argos advantage in TV ratings does not lead to better attendance at games than TFC. Surely the TV numbers for the Argos just in Toronto are superior to TFC? Does this mean that a small percentage of Argo fans go to games while most TFC fans in the city do attend BMO?

**Will** · 08-08-2016, 08:40 AM

Originally Posted by mint83

I know these are national TV numbers but I am at a loss to understand why the Argos advantage in TV ratings does not lead to better attendance at games than TFC. Surely the TV numbers for the Argos just in Toronto are superior to TFC? Does this mean that a small percentage of Argo fans go to games while most TFC fans in the city do attend BMO?

I'm not saying I disagree with this (far from it), but there have been critics in the GTA who point to the CFL not releasing regional numbers as some sort of evidence that ratings for the league in the GTA aren't very good.

CFL ratings do look to be down and I think some of the casual viewership is watching the Blue Jays right now.

**Invader** · 08-08-2016, 09:24 AM

It was reported CFL ratings are up 10% so far this season. The CFL is a tremendously exciting television event, that's why so many Canadians watch on TV...preferable to even watching the Argos live for many fans. On the other hand the MLS is an excruciatingly boring television event, that's why so few Canadians watch TFC on TV...but they do show up for home games...well, at least 50% of TFC tickets distributed are being used. The Argos obviously don't "paper" the crowd as TFC obviously does.

The Argos are one of the top TV draws in the CFL, which indicates at least 150,000 viewers from Toronto are watching Argo home games. It was reported that 3.6 million viewers from the extended Toronto market watched all or part of the 2012 Grey Cup. Have a total of 3.6 million people from Toronto watched the MLS in the history of the league, including their most recent Soccer Bowl championship which drew a national audience of 80,000 on TSN?

**Neely2005** · 08-08-2016, 06:30 PM

Originally Posted by argofan87

I'm not saying I disagree with this (far from it), but there have been critics in the GTA who point to the CFL not releasing regional numbers as some sort of evidence that ratings for the league in the GTA aren't very good.

CFL ratings do look to be down and I think some of the casual viewership is watching the Blue Jays right now.

CZ has addressed that in the past:

"The league won't supply actual audience numbers for what is known as the CFL's dead zone, which always makes the percentages a bit suspicious. For example, if 12 people watched lawnmower racing last year and 18 tuned in this year, that's a 50 per cent increase. So straight percentages don't really carry a lot of weight.

But I've seen actual Southern Ontario numbers in my previous incarnation and they're generally in line with NFL audiences and Blue Jays audiences -- so the increases are significant."

https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/eh...183017606.html

**mint83** · 08-08-2016, 11:22 PM

Okay, as I have always said, the Argos are not as unpopular as Toronto media makes them out to be. Problem is fans do not believe in attending games and they don't paper the house like TFC does.

Or is that changing? Seats for Friday's game look to be legitimately 90% gone on the west side and fan zone according to the unreliable Ticketmaster website. There are also three sections on the east side where tickets are unavailable and seats are disappearing at a good pace in general.

**1argoholic** · 08-09-2016, 10:41 AM

For fans who decided to watch Argo games at home, this trend started years ago. Yet people will do what it takes to hit a Leafs game. Perhaps it's just easier to sit at home enjoy a good telecast unless Rod Black is doing the game. Your close to your booze and food. I never missed when I was in Mississauga but now living way out is a different story. I'm glad we have televised games. I think they need more of a weekend based home schedule. Games during the week simply don't work for many with where they have to travel from or because of work schedules. Plus at this point we've been away from living in Mississauga since 02 and we've become rural folk. My stress level goes up as I approach the GTA. It's HELL to me with all the moron's on mobile devices while driving, speeding etc..etc. Once you're not in that daily it really blows. Us country folk need our peace. haha. Dam that 407 extention!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

**timlb01** · 08-09-2016, 10:52 AM

Originally Posted by 1argoholic

For fans who decided to watch Argo games at home, this trend started years ago. Yet people will do what it takes to hit a Leafs game. Perhaps it's just easier to sit at home enjoy a good telecast unless Rod Black is doing the game. Your close to your booze and food. I never missed when I was in Mississauga but now living way out is a different story. I'm glad we have televised games. I think they need more of a weekend based home schedule. Games during the week simply don't work for many with where they have to travel from or because of work schedules. Plus at this point we've been away from living in Mississauga since 02 and we've become rural folk. My stress level goes up as I approach the GTA. It's HELL to me with all the moron's on mobile devices while driving, speeding etc..etc. Once you're not in that daily it really blows. Us country folk need our peace. haha. Dam that 407 extention!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I agree with the comments about the schedule. A steady day of the week for the team would be beneficial for sure. Everyone knows when NFL is playing. The Leafs and Saturday night and hockey on Saturday night in Canada is epic. Why can't the CFL use the Saturday night or Friday night throughout the summer. If there is real data or concern about the cottage people on the weekend than make the CFL week Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Nothing else! Playoff time go back to the Sunday double header.

It helps a great deal when you know when your team is going to play for attendance.

**Ron** · 08-09-2016, 04:41 PM

Originally Posted by timlb01

Everyone knows when NFL is playing.

For sure. Home games on Thursday, Saturday, Sunday or Monday. And Home dates can be moved a few days in advance for TV.

**AngeloV** · 08-09-2016, 06:26 PM

Originally Posted by Ron

For sure. Home games on Thursday, Saturday, Sunday or Monday. And Home dates can be moved a few days in advance for TV.

LMFAO!! Well done, Ron.

**Shatto** · 08-09-2016, 10:13 PM

mint83 poses an intriguing question. Yes, Argos average about 2/3 of a million on TV and TFC about 38 thousand but most agree that MLS soccer is a niche sport in Canada and like most niche sports, its followers, who may be small in number, tend to be fanatical in their support, so will loyally attend home games. It also helps that nearly all the TFC fans reside in Toronto However there is a huge number of folks across the country, who have anywhere from an intense to casual interest in CFL/Argos games and these folk will watch games, resulting in the excellent TV ratings.
The TFC fans are to be admired for their dedicated support of their team and the reported 25,000+ who attend, would seem to reflect that dedication. The concern has to be for future TV revenue if the TV ratings can't be improved.
I wouldn't worry too much about the Argo home attendance, as the team is recovering form years of neglect and should gradually reclaim lost fans. The present owners are moving the right way and future attendance should show rewards.

**Jayahre** · 08-10-2016, 10:09 AM

Originally Posted by Shatto

mint83 poses an intriguing question. Yes, Argos average about 2/3 of a million on TV and TFC about 38 thousand but most agree that MLS soccer is a niche sport in Canada and like most niche sports, its followers, who may be small in number, tend to be fanatical in their support, so will loyally attend home games. It also helps that nearly all the TFC fans reside in Toronto However there is a huge number of folks across the country, who have anywhere from an intense to casual interest in CFL/Argos games and these folk will watch games, resulting in the excellent TV ratings.
The TFC fans are to be admired for their dedicated support of their team and the reported 25,000+ who attend, would seem to reflect that dedication. The concern has to be for future TV revenue if the TV ratings can't be improved.
I wouldn't worry too much about the Argo home attendance, as the team is recovering form years of neglect and should gradually reclaim lost fans. The present owners are moving the right way and future attendance should show rewards.

Do you know what the numbers are in Toronto? I have never seen a breakdown of the CFL TV ratings by region or city.
Around 600k national numbers for the CFL so far this year but how many people in Toronto are watching the CFL?

**Neely2005** · 08-10-2016, 12:04 PM

Originally Posted by Jayahre

Do you know what the numbers are in Toronto? I have never seen a breakdown of the CFL TV ratings by region or city.
Around 600k national numbers for the CFL so far this year but how many people in Toronto are watching the CFL?

It has been addressed in the past:

Originally Posted by Neely2005

CZ has addressed that in the past:

"The league won't supply actual audience numbers for what is known as the CFL's dead zone, which always makes the percentages a bit suspicious. For example, if 12 people watched lawnmower racing last year and 18 tuned in this year, that's a 50 per cent increase. So straight percentages don't really carry a lot of weight.

But I've seen actual Southern Ontario numbers in my previous incarnation and they're generally in line with NFL audiences and Blue Jays audiences -- so the increases are significant."

https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/eh...183017606.html

**R.J** · 08-10-2016, 12:19 PM

In 2011 the Argos were averaging around 250k in the GTA extended market, 2012 = just under 300k, 2013 = 235-240k IIRC. Haven't seen the breakdowns since 2013.

**ArgoGabe22** · 08-17-2016, 12:18 PM

According to an Anerican ratings site, Argos have had 190k (vs Ottawa) and 140k (vs Montreal) viewers on ESPN.

**R.J** · 08-17-2016, 12:30 PM

https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/eh...130432498.html

Tiger-Cats at Lions, Saturday, TSN: 550,000

CFL, Stampeders at Roughriders, Saturday, TSN: 544,000

CFL, Blue Bombers at Argonauts, Friday, TSN: 387,000

Ouch at the Argo game - it's the lowest rated game since the new ratings system came in September 2009, and only the second under 400k since August 09.

**AngeloV** · 08-17-2016, 01:46 PM

Originally Posted by SnowRogue

https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/eh...130432498.html

Ouch at the Argo game - it's the lowest rated game since the new ratings system came in September 2009, and only the second under 400k since August 09.

Ratings are going to take a hit. Much to my disappointment, there is huge Blue Jays fever throughout Canada at this time. Not an excuse, just reality.

**Mightygoose** · 08-17-2016, 01:54 PM

I think the Olympics are a bigger factor to last week's ratings. Even the Jays we're down. They'll both be back in a couple of weeks.

**Neely2005** · 08-17-2016, 06:47 PM

Originally Posted by Mightygoose

I think the Olympics are a bigger factor to last week's ratings. Even the Jays we're down. They'll both be back in a couple of weeks.

Considering that the entire top 10 ratings are Olympics I'd say that you're right.

Here are the most-watched English-language sports broadcasts from the past weekend, according to Numeris overnight ratings:

1. Olympics, Prime Time, Sunday, CBC/Sportsnet/TSN: 3,767,600

2. Olympics, Prime Time, Saturday, CBC/Sportsnet/TSN: 3,044,300

3. Olympics, Prime Time, Friday, CBC/Sportsnet/TSN: 2,719,600

4. Olympics, Afternoon coverage, Sunday, CBC/Sportsnet/TSN: 2,209,800

5. Olympics, Afternoon coverage, Saturday, CBC/Sportsnet/TSN: 2,146,600

6. Olympics, Late-night coverage, Friday, CBC/Sportsnet/TSN: 1,592,300

7. Olympics, Afternoon coverage, Friday, CBC/Sportsnet/TSN: 1,546,400

8. Olympics, Morning coverage, Saturday, CBC/Sportsnet/TSN: 1,391,900

9. Olympics, Late-night coverage, Sunday, CBC/Sportsnet/TSN: 1,226,700

10. Olympics, Morning coverage, Sunday, CBC/Sportsnet/TSN: 1,222,600

11. MLB, Astros at Blue Jays, Sunday, Sportsnet: 1,200,000

12. Olympics, Late-night coverage, Saturday, CBC/Sportsnet/TSN: 1,169,300

13. MLB, Astros at Blue Jays, Saturday, Sportsnet: 892,000

14. Olympics, Morning coverage, Friday, CBC/Sportsnet/TSN: 861,500

15. MLB, Astros at Blue Jays, Friday, Sportsnet One: 662,000

16. CFL, Tiger-Cats at Lions, Saturday, TSN: 550,000

17. CFL, Stampeders at Roughriders, Saturday, TSN: 544,000

18. CFL, Blue Bombers at Argonauts, Friday, TSN: 387,000