9 replies to this topic

[warthog]

NFL Draft goes prime time
by Randy Covitz

You've got to hand it to the NFL. They know how to take a good thing and milk it for all its worth.

The league announced on Thursday that it will move the 2010 NFL Draft to prime time and then stretch it out over three days.

Imagine that. Three days of Mel Kiper Jr. and company.

The first round will start on Thursday, April 22 at 6:30 p.m. Central time. The second and third rounds will follow on Friday, April 23 at 5:30 PM.

If that's not enough, rounds four-through seven will be held on Saturday, April 24, starting at 9 a.m.

The draft will continue to be televised by ESPN and NFL Network from Radio City Music Hall in New York.

“We continue to look for ways to make the draft more accessible to more fans,” Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a release.

"Moving the first round to prime time on Thursday night will make the first round of the draft available to fans on what is typically the most-watched night of television.”

The 2009 NFL Draft (Saturday, April 25-Sunday, April 26) drew a record 39 million viewers on NFL Network, ESPN and ESPN2. Total NFL Draft viewership increased 66 percent from 2001 to 2009 (from 23.5 million to 39 million).

The first round of last year’s draft on ESPN and NFL Network drew a combined average of 6.3 million viewers, topping all basketball, hockey and baseball games that weekend.

The NFL Draft was a Saturday-Sunday event from 1995-2009. It took place on Sunday-Monday from 1988-94 and prior to 1988 was held on one or two weekdays.
http://chiefsblog.ka...com/?q=node/863

[Lady in Red]

crew that. This is a bunch of BS, so much for going to the draft party next year, this just pisses me off. If you want it in prime time at least start it on Friday night and finish Sunday. Up yours Goodell

[Lady in Red]

How does this make sense, if the ratings have gone up by having on the weekend, why move it back to a weeknight. Thursday is a high ratings night, but that means they are also competeing with regular programming that many watch faithfully. I hope the ratings on Thursday bomb.

[D_BoweShow82]

You seem a little bitter Amy.

I only care about the first two rounds. After that all I say to each selection is "Who?"

[Lady in Red]

I am irritated still, but I will find a way to be in KC for it. The first day is the main thing, that is why I wish they would keep on the weekend, at least Friday.

[warthog]

I used to have to DVR it on Saturdays anyways. Always seemed like there was something going on where I'd miss it.

[Dom]

i like it. Now we can watch small portions over 2-3 days instead of 2 long boring days

[Coach]

Dom, on 24 July 2009 - 02:08 PM, said:

i like it. Now we can watch small portions over 2-3 days instead of 2 long boring days

That is a positive. However, the negative is that the West Coast people won't be able to see it, assuming that the NFL Draft starts at 6:30 EST.

[Lady in Red]

It is 6:30 CST...So the west coast would be at 4:30

[ChiefsChick23]

Lady in Red, on 27 July 2009 - 09:54 AM, said:

It is 6:30 CST...So the west coast would be at 4:30

BASTARDS!! Another case of the East Coast forgetting we even exist...