Skip to main content

Screen Wars Thought Leader Interviews are also available on

SpotifyApple PodcastGoogle Podcast
State of the Screens

Sports are becoming expensive for TV networks

By March 7, 2018No Comments

The entire sports rights game is built around the growth of both audiences and revenue (advertising and subscriber).

Both pay-TV providers and networks have been able to raise rates faster than declines in subscribers/viewership have fallen but how long can they keep that up?

Previously on SOTS. It doesn’t matter if NFL ratings are dropping — advertisers can’t get enough

Quick Math (2016 vs. 2010):
1) Average viewership: ↓ 7%
2) Ad spend: ↑ 91%

No major changes until current sports rights deals expire:
1) MLB — 2021
2) NFL — 2021
3) NBA — 2024–25
4) College Football Playoff — 2025

Previously on SOTS. Going gray: Sports TV viewers skew older

Michael Beach

Michael Beach is the Chief Executive Officer of Cross Screen Media, a media analytics and software company that enables marketers to plan, activate, and measure CTV and linear TV at the local level. Michael is also the founder and editor of State of the Screens, a weekly newsletter focused on video advertising that is a must-read for thought leaders in the advertising industry. He has appeared in such publications as PBS Frontline, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Axios, CNBC and Bloomberg, and on NPR’s Planet Money podcast.