The controversial practice of overlapping doubleheaders on Monday night might not sit well with everyone, but Disney is all smiles. It seems two games pack more punch in terms of ratings than just one.
Staggering TV Numbers During the Overlap
ESPN’s recent announcement was as sweet as a last-second touchdown. During the two-hour overlap of Jaguars-Bills (on ESPN) and Commanders-Bengals (on ABC and ESPN+), viewership soared to an average of “more than 19 million viewers.” However, let’s be honest: for a good chunk of that overlap, the Jags-Bills game was about as captivating as a soupy pitch.
Like a defensive line on a mission, the Commanders-Bengals clash snagged an impressive average of 13.2 million viewers. They kept folks glued to their screens, if just barely. Meanwhile, the full Jaguars-Bills game, well, its numbers remain mysteriously unmentioned – likely because those figures sagged like a tired linebacker.
The Late-Night Thrills Versus the Disappointment
But here’s the kicker: During the thrilling last 45 minutes of the late game, from 10:15 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. ET, viewership averaged 15.2 million. Not too shabby, right? Yet compared to what’s expected from a “three-letter network,” those numbers felt like a fumble at the one-yard line.
Why Continue With the Overlap?
So, why the overlapping doubleheaders? It’s like a marathon game clock. By extending the viewing window to roughly four hours, ESPN and co. are banking on a prolonged engagement. But think about it: wouldn’t the digits look prettier if just one blockbuster game was aired across ABC, ESPN, and ESPN2?
On the flip side, imagine last night’s sole offering was the Jaguars-Bills slog. Many fans might have called it an early night, switching off with nearly two quarters to go.
This move’s a gambit akin to a Hail Mary pass – high risk, potentially high reward, but not without its share of groans. If the game’s a snoozer, people might just tune out or grumble about the overlap longer than a two-minute warning.
As NFL fans, we’re a passionate tribe. Whether it’s debating audibles over a cold beer or experiencing the heart-stopping tension of a game-winning drive, we live for these moments. Here’s hoping the suits in TV land figure out a way to keep us cheering and not snoozing by halftime!
