Bills or no Bills, WNYers still watch NFL

[Johnny Bugmenot]

Wondering what the highest-rated TV program of last week was in WNY? That’s easy. It was the New York Giants upset of Green Bay Sunday in the NFC playoffs with a preliminary rating of 29.2 on WUTV, almost three times the “Idol” audience. Baltimore’s Sunday win over Houston had a 24.0 preliminary rating on Channel 4, the local CBS affiliate. As usual, the two Saturday games had lower ratings here. San Francisco’s victory over New Orleans in the best game of the weekend had a 21.8 preliminary rating on WUTV. The lowest football rating of the weekend was New England’s romp over Denver and Tim Tebow on Channel 4 with a 19.9. Buffalo fans found out weeks earlier that Tebow Magic was an illusion when the Bills beat the Broncos.

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[TacklingDummy]

Re: Bills or no Bills, WNYers still watch NFL

I can safely say I may have watched 1 total games worth of football this year that didn't involve the Bills.

Unless you count highlights.

[BLeonard]

Re: Bills or no Bills, WNYers still watch NFL

I don't think it's a secret that NFL ratings numbers will be high in an NFL city, even if that city's team isn't involved in the game. Having an NFL franchise increases the interest of the product, IMO.

Now, show me a link about what the NBA's numbers in WNY are. My guess would be significantly lower, due to:

A: Not having an NBA Team in WNY
B: College Basketball (specifically, Syracuse)

My guess would be, most WNYers would watch ANY NFL game before they'd watch an NBA game that they have an interest in. Part of that is because the NFL is more popular, but part of it also has to be the fact that WNY has an NFL team... They don't have an NBA team, so they naturally care less about that product.

-Bill

[Mski]

Re: Bills or no Bills, WNYers still watch NFL

I don't think it's a secret that NFL ratings numbers will be high in an NFL city, even if that city's team isn't involved in the game. Having an NFL franchise increases the interest of the product, IMO.

Now, show me a link about what the NBA's numbers in WNY are. My guess would be significantly lower, due to:

A: Not having an NBA Team in WNY
B: College Basketball (specifically, Syracuse)

My guess would be, most WNYers would watch ANY NFL game before they'd watch an NBA game that they have an interest in. Part of that is because the NFL is more popular, but part of it also has to be the fact that WNY has an NFL team... They don't have an NBA team, so they naturally care less about that product.

-Bill

that impies that someone somewhere actually cares about the NBA. If it wasnt for ESPN cramming them down the throats of everyone, and usually 8+ of the "top ten plays" being some guy over 6'5" dunking, the NBA would have gone away

[THATHURMANATOR]

Re: Bills or no Bills, WNYers still watch NFL

That would change drastically if the Bills were to move though.

[BLeonard]

Re: Bills or no Bills, WNYers still watch NFL

that impies that someone somewhere actually cares about the NBA. If it wasnt for ESPN cramming them down the throats of everyone, and usually 8+ of the "top ten plays" being some guy over 6'5" dunking, the NBA would have gone away

Fair point. But certainly, some people somewhere have to care... Otherwise, they wouldn't make any money and be out of business anyway.

That would change drastically if the Bills were to move though.

Pretty much what I was saying, condensed down to one sentence. Good job. I tend to be too wordy at times.

-Bill

[OpIv37]

Re: Bills or no Bills, WNYers still watch NFL

The only NFL games I sit down and watch from start to finish are Bills games.

I watch bits and pieces of other games when I'm around, but I don't obsess over them or go out of my way to watch them. I just don't have the time to follow non-Bills football.

If the NFL leaves Buffalo, that's pretty much what I'll do. I'll become a half-assed Redskins or Ravens "fan" (because all the games are on locally). I won't buy any merch and I'll watch the games when I don't have something better to do. I'll never put the time or energy into it that I put in now.

I think a lot of Bills fans are the same way.

[THATHURMANATOR]

Re: Bills or no Bills, WNYers still watch NFL

Yep Op.

[Michael82]

Re: Bills or no Bills, WNYers still watch NFL

The only NFL games I sit down and watch from start to finish are Bills games.

I watch bits and pieces of other games when I'm around, but I don't obsess over them or go out of my way to watch them. I just don't have the time to follow non-Bills football.

If the NFL leaves Buffalo, that's pretty much what I'll do. I'll become a half-assed Redskins or Ravens "fan" (because all the games are on locally). I won't buy any merch and I'll watch the games when I don't have something better to do. I'll never put the time or energy into it that I put in now.

I think a lot of Bills fans are the same way.

Exactly! I'm the same way!

[imbondz]

Re: Bills or no Bills, WNYers still watch NFL

I won't watch the Patriots/Ravens game unless I check the score and the Ravens are pounding them.

[Lone Stranger]

Re: Bills or no Bills, WNYers still watch NFL

I love NFL football; I'll watch whomever is playing. Regarding the NBA, I agree with all stated above; boring at best. The NCAAs are a great alternatvie.

[better days]

Re: Bills or no Bills, WNYers still watch NFL

I don't think it's a secret that NFL ratings numbers will be high in an NFL city, even if that city's team isn't involved in the game. Having an NFL franchise increases the interest of the product, IMO.

Now, show me a link about what the NBA's numbers in WNY are. My guess would be significantly lower, due to:

A: Not having an NBA Team in WNY
B: College Basketball (specifically, Syracuse)

My guess would be, most WNYers would watch ANY NFL game before they'd watch an NBA game that they have an interest in. Part of that is because the NFL is more popular, but part of it also has to be the fact that WNY has an NFL team... They don't have an NBA team, so they naturally care less about that product.

-Bill

Well, it was long ago, so many of you young guys may not even realize that Buffalo once had an NBA team, The Buffalo Braves. I never had season tickets, but went to quite a few games myself. When that team was moved to San Diego & renamed the Clippers, I vowed to never watch an NBA game again in my life, & I have not.

If the Bills ever left Buffalo I would imagine all NFL games would draw about as well as the LA Clippers & the NBA on TV in Buffalo.

[better days]

Re: Bills or no Bills, WNYers still watch NFL

The only NFL games I sit down and watch from start to finish are Bills games.

I watch bits and pieces of other games when I'm around, but I don't obsess over them or go out of my way to watch them. I just don't have the time to follow non-Bills football.

If the NFL leaves Buffalo, that's pretty much what I'll do. I'll become a half-assed Redskins or Ravens "fan" (because all the games are on locally). I won't buy any merch and I'll watch the games when I don't have something better to do. I'll never put the time or energy into it that I put in now.

I think a lot of Bills fans are the same way.

Well, I am already a Bucs fan, so I would still watch them if the Bills ever moved, but they are FREE for me to watch. I don't have the passion for them like I do the Bills that I have spent a lot of money on over the years.

[BertSquirtgum]

Re: Bills or no Bills, WNYers still watch NFL

I will continue to watch football even after/if the Bills move.

[YardRat]

Re: Bills or no Bills, WNYers still watch NFL

I love watching NFL football...depending on the game and it's participants it isn't unusual for me to watch an entire game that doesn't involve the Bills, especially at playoff time.

Obviously if the Bills left the area I (as others) wouldn't invest the same amount of time, effort and money into another team but I doubt I could give it up completely as I basically have with the NBA.

Loved the Braves, but after we got ****ed over by Brown and Snyder my interest went downhill. I latched onto the Pistons for a while and was able to revel in the birth and growth of the Bad Boys into eventual champions but after that team disintegrated you couldn't pay me to watch an NBA game...can't even remember the last Finals game I took the time to view.

Go Bills. Go Sabres. Go 'Cuse.

Everybody and everything else could disappear and I wouldn't care less.