TV Ratings are down 9% from last year...

[TheHurl]

I don't think any of the old board ratings experts have come over to this board but I'd have think this pretty much negates the improved gate.

 

http://www.montrealgazette.com/business/Mediocre+Blue+Jays+winning+turnstiles/8693981/story.html

 

As of July 10, Sportsnet was averaging 544,000 viewers (aged two and over) for Jays' broadcasts. That's nine per cent down from the 2012 average of 595,000 at this point of the season but up 10 per cent from 2011's average of 496,000 at the same time.

 

Breaking it down by month, the 2013 Jays averaged 639,000 in April, 403,000 in May (when the team went 13-15) and 575,000 in June (when the team won 11 straight).

 

Moore says he is happy any time he sees ratings over 500,000. Some recent 700,000-plus games are "amazing numbers especially when you consider we're under .500 at the moment."

 

Opening Day, a 4-1 loss to Cleveland, drew a Jays' record average audience of 1.4 million. The Canada Day game, an 8-3 win over Detroit, also drew more than a million.

[SAAviour]

I'm not surprised. I can barely turn the games on, and I have always, through good and bad years turned on 95% or more of the games.

#hatethisteam

 

Usually on the bad years there is a rookie or two to watch and cheer for, this year can't even provide that.

 

#f***thisteam

 

Blow it up!

[HERPDERP]

Personally I have not watched a game since the Cleveland series. Before then I watched every single game.

 

I just do not care anymore.

[The Cats Ass]

I know I watched more games in April then in May. It's just too frustrating watching them play, stranding runners all the time, JPA letting balls fly by him, starters blowing the game in the 1st inning.

 

I was away for the weekend so I didn't see the Rays series. I had some time Monday night so I turned on the game only to see it was 14-4 in the bottom of the 7th, turned it right back off again. Started watching last night, watched them go up 8-3, then blow the game, I think they just like breaking hearts for the fun of it.

[TheHurl]

I think the 639,000 in April is the biggest surprise. The team started off with lower ratings than last year.

[Jimcanuck]

The team seems cursed.

 

Hate watching Lind, JPA, Bautista, Dickey, JJ, Bonifacio, Izturis, Melky, even Lawrie FFS

 

Like watching EE, Rogers, McGowan, Rasmus

 

The rest I'm ambivalent about

 

In other words, the reasons not to watch outweigh the reasons to watch

[Angrioter]

2014 payroll will drop

[TheHurl]

2014 payroll will drop

 

zero chance that happens. And I just got my Rogers Q2 earnings sheet. Revenues are up all around from Q2 in 2012.

[TheHurl]

zero chance that happens. And I just got my Rogers Q2 earnings sheet. Revenues are up all around from Q2 in 2012.

 

quick summary from Rogers Q2

 

MEDIA

 

Summarized Media Financial Results

 

- Quarterly Operating Revenue up from $470 from $440 million (up 7%) from same quarter last year.

- Operating Expenses up from $361 to $406 million (up 12%) from same quarter last year.

- Operating Profit down from $79 million to $64 million (margin down 5.4%) from same quarter last year.

 

Notes:

Media Acquisition

 

On April 30, 2013, we finalized the purchase of Score Media Inc. (“theScore”) for $167 million after final regulatory approval was received from the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission. theScore was Canada’s third largest specialty sports channel with 6.6 million television subscribers. theScore was subsequently rebranded to Sportsnet 360.

 

Media Revenue

 

The increase in Media’s revenue reflects increases in distribution revenue generated by the Sportsnet properties and other specialty channels, as well as higher sales at The Shopping Channel and higher attendance at Blue Jays games. Excluding the impact of revenue generated by the acquisition of theScore on April 30, 2013, revenue growth would have been 5% and 1%, respectively, compared to the corresponding three and six month periods of 2012.

 

Media Operating Expenses

 

The increase in Media’s operating expenses reflects higher player salaries at the Toronto Blue Jays, and increased programming spending at Sportsnet due to the increased NHL games aired on Sportsnet as a result of the NHL lockout earlier in the season, which together approximated $35 million of additional expenses versus the prior year, partially offset by cost management initiatives. Excluding the impact of the acquisition of theScore and the residual impacts from the NHL lockout, Media operating expenses would have increased 7% and 2%, respectively, compared to the corresponding three and six month periods of 2012.

 

Media Adjusted Operating Profit

 

The decline in Media’s adjusted operating profit for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, compared to the corresponding periods of 2012, primarily reflects the revenue and expense changes discussed above. Excluding the impacts of the acquisition of theScore and the residual impacts from the NHL lockout, the change in adjusted operating profit for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, compared to the corresponding periods of 2012, would have been a decrease of 8% and 0%, respectively.

[Buster]

There isn't even a player on the team that is likable, really.

 

Even Dickey I find to be a wordy blowhard. He tries too hard.

[The Cats Ass]

There isn't even a player on the team that is likable, really.

 

Even Dickey I find to be a wordy blowhard. He tries too hard.

 

How can anyone not like Rasmus...

[TheHurl]

How can anyone not like Rasmus...

 

I don't like any white person from South of the Mason-Dixon.

[Jimcanuck]

I don't like any white person from South of the Mason-Dixon.

 

Racist!

[TheHurl]

Anyone remember this article...

 

By Michael Oliveira

 

TORONTO — The Toronto Blue Jays could draw twice as many TV viewers as last season if they play to their potential, Rogers Media (TSX:RCI. president Keith Pelley predicted Wednesday.

 

Last year’s home opener drew a season-high 1.27 million TV viewers while the team attracted an average of 507,000 over the course of the year, up seven per cent from the previous campaign.

 

Of course, there’s more hype around the team this year following an extensive off-season makeover.

 

Rogers gave general manager Alex Anthopoulos the green light to bring in some high-priced talent — including star knuckleballer R.A. Dickey as well as Jose Reyes, Josh Johnson and Mark Buehrle — and now the Jays owners want to cash in on their investment.

 

“When we looked at (the payroll boost) we said, ‘This will do a tremendous amount for Rogers, the Blue Jays are ready to pop in terms of not only on the field, but as far as being a fashionable brand now in Toronto,” said Pelley.

 

If the Jays do contend and make the playoffs for the first time since the back-to-back World Series wins in 1992 and 1993, the revenue potential from TV ads, tickets and merchandise sales would be through the roof.

 

“So the Blue Jays decision to add money and payroll was not in isolation, it was done in a decision that, if we can play meaningful games in September, what that will do to Sportsnet,” Pelley said.

 

“Those numbers of 507,000 would creep up to in the neighbourhood of a million viewers.”

 

While Tuesday’s home opener against the Cleveland Indians was a quick sellout, and fans are eager to tune in to see their revamped team for the first time, Pelley says he hasn’t been too concerned about what kind of ratings the game might draw.

 

“I have not thought about that, I haven’t thought about it once until you’ve asked me the question,” said Pelley.

 

“Do I think we will exceed (last year’s opening night ratings)? I think we will exceed that, but I think it’s not an important number. I think what’s important is the overall average and how the team performs, and if the team performs, then the Blue Jays numbers will be significantly (strong) on Sportsnet.”

 

Some fans will be disappointed that Rogers is again shifting some Blue Jays broadcasts to Sportsnet One, a channel that’s typically bundled into the pricier TV packages.

 

“Sportsnet is a multi-sport brand and … it’s a pretty strong strategic decision not to put all 162 games on Sportsnet, it really then becomes in the summer a pure baseball network and that is not what our mandate or strategic goals of Sportsnet are,” Pelley said.

 

As of now, this season’s Blue Jays games will only be available to stream on the web and mobile devices by Rogers TV customers. But David Purdy, senior vice-president of content, hinted that’s expected to change and customers with other TV providers should get the same digital access eventually.

 

“Right now Rogers is the exclusive carrier on multiple platforms of the Jays but we’re certainly open to having, and are having, those discussions with other carriers,” says Purdy. “It’s in our best interest and the Jays’ interests to expose our product as much as we possibly can.”

[Jimcanuck]

Rednecks are a race?!

 

Racist is a term applied to those that discriminate. It's not correct to think of distinct races any longer. The term used is not race but ethnic background.

 

If you insist on using the term 'race', what race are Arabs? White or black or?

[mitchf]

Am I the only one who's happy to see this?

 

I want AA to know and feel what it's like to disgust fans.

[eastcoastjaysfan]

People just got tired of listening to "Stadium Love"

[Smokey]

If you insist on using the term 'race', what race are Arabs? White or black or?

 

Sand niggers?

 

I'm just kidding --- don't ban me bro.

[havok24]

It's really hard to back this team, they really are an unlikeable bunch.

[fatcowxlive]

Racist is a term applied to those that discriminate. It's not correct to think of distinct races any longer. The term used is not race but ethnic background.

 

If you insist on using the term 'race', what race are Arabs? White or black or?

 

We like to call ourselves Arabs, despite the use of sand niggers lol

 

Sand niggers?

 

I'm just kidding --- don't ban me bro.

 

Hey!