Oct

11

It’s Time for East Coast Bias

October 11, 2008 | by Keith | Categories Television |

Living on the east coast it’s difficult at times for some to watch sporting events, especially national telecasts which start after 8:30pm ET.  We know why they start so late, because the networks are looking to tap into the west coast audience.  I’d agree with the continuation of this practice, if only those on the west coast were watching.

Thanks to our friends at Sports Media News, the ratings for the first game of the NLCS shows a glaring disparity between fans on the east coast and those on the west.   The numbers were through the roof for those living in Philadelphia, at 23.9.  You would think that the ratings in Los Angeles would be similar, considering the involvement of the Dodgers.  L.A. did finish second nationally, with a resounding rating of 9.4!  Less than half the numbers in Philadelphia!  The next four largest viewing markets for the game were east of the Rocky Mountains.

I think it’s safe for us to question the passion of the fans on the west coast…and the networks should lead the way.

It’s time for the networks to ask the sports leagues to start nationally televised games no later that 7pm.  This way East coast viewers (especially children) can watch most of the game while those out west can join in when they can.  They seem to be less than enthusiastic anyway.  What’s the highest rated sporting event each year?  The Super Bowl, which starts just before 6:30pm ET.  Why don’t the other leagues follow suit?

For those who say that real east coast fans will stay up late to watch a game are correct.  They can say the same about west coast fans who will have to struggle to watch a game beginning at 4pm.  If they’re real fans they’ll tune in. 

It makes sense that if the numbers are on the east coast, why not cater to THEIR needs?   


Comments

1 Comment so far

  1. fred wallin on October 16, 2008 10:11 am

    Keith,

    I agree the games start late for East Coast fans, but here in the West, we also care about the games and most are stuck on the freeways until 6 or 7 pm…

    A 5.30 PDT, 8.30 EDT start seems like a fair compromise..

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