Fightin’ Phils Fans Tuning Out
Gong Show contestant or disgruntled former Phillies viewer? We’ll let you be the judge.
According to ratings released earlier today, Philadelphia Phillies fans are tuning out in almost record numbers. Since 2011 season, the Phillies have lost approximately 67% of their television viewing audience. Their club-record 102 wins in 2011 made the team easy to watch particularly compared to last year’s 73-89 finish, a mark that matched their 2013 finish and their worst since 2000’s 65-97 disaster.
Comparatively, the Phillies lost less of their viewing audience than the Sixers did (72%) but lost substantially more viewers. The Phillies’ 25, possibly 27, year deal broadcast extension kicks in next season and you have to wonder if Comcast is having a bit of buyer’s remorse, even with the Phillies having some accountability by having a stake in the network. Then again, the Houston Astros were a part of a a sinking, messy cable channel
and turned into winners just a few years later, so I suppose panicking before the deal kicks off is certainly a bit premature.