Rockets suffer 40% drop in local television ratings...

Everyone seems to be bringing out their personal complaints about the team and/or management when it's really just casual fans not watching because we have no stars.

 

I'm going to stop watching until the Rockets send me a PDF of their five-year business plan. Forget wins and losses, those things are MEANINGLESS!

 

True and the product is boring, we play below the rim, don't run any real offensive sets, and have no one that has the ability to create good looks for themselves on a consistent basis, basically no one that requires a double team.

So you have guys going one on one, all game long - just simply boring offensive basketball.

DD

 

Clutch,

The thing is, you are one of the "die hards." I am not sure the casual fans-- those most likely to be among the 40% decrease-- really even think that deeply about team direction or even future hope for the team.

For example, take a look at the attendance record of the Rockets during the Francis era (started when the team played at Compaq Center, and continued in Toyota Center later on): http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/HOU/2000.html

The 45-37 team in 2000/01 was last in the league in attendance. They were 28 out of 29th in attendance the following year (team struggling with Francis missing games). Even Yao's rookie year, 2002/2003, the Rockets won 43 games and were 27 out of 29th in attendance.

Part of it was arena capacity, but they Rockets had better attendance during other years-- including the last two, interestingly enough.

Anyhow, the economics of ticket purchase and TV viewership in sports is a funny thing. Often, it's just a matter of "buzz," which is something that comes and goes not necessarily in lock step with team achievement or even upside/talent level.

 

I don't see it as a talent/no talent, win/loss issue.


I need more games on local broadcast. FSH is not local broadcast IMO since it requires cable or other provider. I am talking about over the air local. People are dropping TV services and moving to streaming services + OTA for their content.
I am prepared to pay for league pass as an option too, but they would black out rockets games since my ip is in houston and FSH is carrying the game.

Something needs to change with the blackout rules or their definition of "locally broadcast"!!!!!

I seek out the games though other sources, but those sources don't translate well to ROKU, etc., yet that I have found.

RANT OVER

Anyone have any tips?, I am listening.

 

Nobody has ever asked me if I watch the games.

 

I don't get the Yao argument. How many games do you think these YOFs vainly watched last year before they realized Yao wasn't suiting up?

Anyway, I would think they could improve this number by putting their games on a broadcast channel instead of cable. They sure don't make it easy for people to watch, so I don't know why they would be surprised when people don't.

 

Wasn't it on cable last year?

 

Not surprised at all.

 

I love football more than basketball. But I love the local teams equally. I don't see how the texans success plays any part. Football season has been over for almost a month. that's enough time to recover from the football blues.


because gasol is that spaniard with so much swag that can attract these divas of today? Why can't lowry be a star in the making? he contributes to winning more than some of the 'stars' that posters on this forum stroke off to.

I still believe with how mentally weak some of these "superstars" are, they can be beaten with above average players at every position. It's obvious we're not "tanking", so it's the only way to build. There are no true superstars available. Durant and Kobe are taken =)

 

Well, regardless with his you feel about this team. Posting your feelings in here shows you re a fan and care about the product on the floor.

And yes rm95. You are not guaranteed a star in the draft but I like the chance to get one because the current state of the franchise isn't going to land any in the free agent market and I would hate to see our players traded away for a rental.


These teams with 3+ stars etc are ruining the NBA.

 

Forget about 2nd hand lotto picks, our own lotto pick spends his year losing games in the D League and getting cited by the police in Kansas.

 

What current state? The state where they are winning games?

 

Would rep if I could, got to spread some around first.

Love the franchise.

If any team in Houston is going to change uniforms in Houston etc I wish it was the rockets.


Maybe the coming all star game will help bring in the casual fans.

 

You want a quick fix for ratings?

You can do one of two things.

1. Fire Clyde Drexler, hire Calvin Murphy (as stated before).

2. Fire Kevin McHale, hire Paul Westhead, current coach of the Univeristy of Oregon's women's basketball team.

You want us to tank? He's your guy--and we will be a LOT of fun to watch while doing it. Averaging 120 points per game...and allowing 130. (Plus, to his credit, he's the only coach in basketball history to win championships in both the NBA and WNBA...)

(start at 2:36)
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Pit6TJrjP7Q" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Can you tell I'm being sarcastic about that second point? I stand by the Murphy point, though.

 

Yes. That comment was forward-looking -- as in, if they want to increase viewership, that might help. As far as why we're down from last year, I don't really care very much; that's for the Rockets to figure out. My guess would be that despite the fact we look like a playoff team, there is a sense that this roster won't survive the offseason, and probably won't even survive the trade deadline. Why bother with an emotional investment on a team that's about to get gilloutined? Maybe when Morey finally gets his Gasol or whomever, we can look forward to a team that's here to stay.

 

Someone explain Philly's increase in rating....

I IMPLORE someone to do so....[Denzel Washington from Training Day voice] You can't do it!

 

Not surprised when you have a dull team playing dull basketball.

 

Before every game, they e-mail to every fan a PowerPower presentation that goes over the specific direction of the team.

 

This i can agree with. I actually preferred watching the Toronto commentators last night over ours.