Originally Posted by JHikka (Post 8746478)

MLS Cups 2016 and 2017 were both the first Saturday of December, whereas MLS Cup 2019 was the second Sunday of November. Change of schedule and a worse time slot definitely played a factor in general viewing figures.


Definitely much less hype in 2019 than in 16 or 17. 16 obviously had hype because it was their first appearance and 17 because it was the best season an MLS team had ever had (and arguably the best team still). This year's team was much weaker and their run to the final was pretty unlikely.

Originally Posted by Acajack (Post 8746479)

Still wondering which league TSN chose to highlight on its main network Sunday? MLS or CFL?

Originally Posted by JHikka (Post 8746482)

CFL was on TSN1 and TSN5. TFC were on TSN4. I don't really think there's a main TSN anymore for anyone beyond the most basic of cable setups.

Originally Posted by Acajack (Post 8746505)

I guess that's truer and truer.

Though a case can be made that the main network is the first one you hit when channel surfing upwards.

Many sports bars and restaurants for example will have their TVs tuned to that channel as a default, and only move to the other ones if there is something that is more of interest to their clientele on there.

Originally Posted by Acajack (Post 8746505)

Though a case can be made that the main network is the first one you hit when channel surfing upwards.

Originally Posted by JHikka (Post 8746527)

This simply isn't the case any more because, unless i'm mistaken, nobody is surfing upwards through hundreds of channels. Usually people know where their favourite channels are (whether it's channel 24, 240, or 624, or whatever). Only people with the old ~50ish channel setup are manually surfing through channels, otherwise you can just use the built-in guide HUD that comes with your advanced cable setup to find what you're looking for, either manually or by searching for channel/program.

Originally Posted by thurmas (Post 8746460)

I would like to see the CFL post their streaming numbers more often

Originally Posted by Djeffery (Post 8746589)

For years and years, TSN was channel 400 on almost any system I had (1400 in HD). 400 (1400) on Bell Fibe at least is TSN 4. They are in order, 4, 1, 2, 3, 5 on Fibe. I always consider 1400 the main TSN channel because that's where the Leafs and Raptors usually are, and TSN does stand for Toronto Sports Network, so I'm told.

Originally Posted by kel (Post 8746607)

Stands for The Sports Network

Originally Posted by JHikka (Post 8746478)

MLS Cups 2016 and 2017 were both the first Saturday of December, whereas MLS Cup 2019 was the second Sunday of November. Change of schedule and a worse time slot definitely played a factor in general viewing figures, but it also comes down to TFC being less compelling this time around.

Originally Posted by EpicPonyTime (Post 8746678)

I was really surprised at how early the MLS Cup was on, and I imagine it played a major role in the lower ratings. I wonder why they put it on so early?

Originally Posted by JHikka (Post 8746683)

MLS changed up their playoff format because the two-legged draws were a bit lengthy and pointless. There were a lot of complaints over the length of playoffs and having it be split up by an international break, so they shortened the rounds which shortens the playoffs as a whole. I like the earlier finish IMO, season is much too long if it's running from March-December.

Originally Posted by EpicPonyTime (Post 8746692)

Sorry, I should have been more specific. I was referring to the fact the game was on at 3PM in Toronto. Despite being on a weekend, I don't believe that as many casual fans would be interested in spending a major chunk of their limited daytime inside watching sports.

Originally Posted by JHikka (Post 8746700)

Haven't read too much on it but i'm sure it has to do with TV and hosting in Seattle. TV and gameday turned out really, really good in Seattle so i'm guessing there was some thought into the start time.

Originally Posted by EpicPonyTime (Post 8746791)

It would have been a 12PM kickoff in Seattle which still seems really early. I assume that they did it that early because it avoided competition with the NFL. I imagine they did their research and were confident going early would lose less viewers than going up against football in the States.

Originally Posted by Hackslack (Post 8745990)

Is Cherry’s segment on HNIC between periods actually live, or is it taped before? If taped before, everyone at Sportsnet who saw the tape beforehand should be fired.

Originally Posted by jonny24 (Post 8742338)

I think that its more likely that we would see some signifigant changes to how the game is played rather than anything dying off. That's exactly what drove a lot of the changes to football over 100 years ago. Too many people were getting hurt or dying so they changed rules, added pads, etc. Ironically it may be back towards a rugby style of play. Not that it doesn't have it's own concussion problems but it seems to be a a level less than that of football.