Yes and no
Yes, we can still draw with quality competition.
No, we are no longer the ratings powerhouse we once were, compared to several large schools in the SEC and B1G with 5x our alumni base and stronger geographic dominance. Aaron's data below is not atypical of the last few seasons.
Now, open question - if we get back to ND late 80's levels, will the ratings recover? I hope so, but I fear not. It's been outside of living memory for half the fanbase, and eventually that will catch up with us. Which is why sitting back and waiting for the renewals in 2032 is not an acceptable option for Pete. But it increasingly appears to be the one he's taking.
Complete thread:
- Scheduling, economics, and what should Pete do? -
beattherush,
2026-05-21, 08:42
![[*]](themes/default/images/complete_thread.png "Open whole thread")
- As much heat as we're taking for the '26 schedule -
KGB,
2026-05-21, 10:47
- Seems like this resolves itself in 2028 —> -
Bill,
2026-05-21, 17:46
- If those games hold up. - beattherush, 2026-05-22, 07:11
- Was this really a Swarbrick disaster? Should he have known -
BillyGoat,
2026-05-22, 06:14
- We're in a weird gap period. - KGB, 2026-05-22, 08:00
- Several factors -
beattherush,
2026-05-22, 07:28
- Your Alabama and OSU examples do not hold up. -
PMan,
2026-05-22, 08:23
- Fair point -
beattherush,
2026-05-22, 09:25
- Saban never shied away from a big game or two - Jeremy (WeIsND), 2026-05-22, 09:43
- Fair point -
beattherush,
2026-05-22, 09:25
- Your Alabama and OSU examples do not hold up. -
PMan,
2026-05-22, 08:23
- Seems like this resolves itself in 2028 —> -
Bill,
2026-05-21, 17:46
- The TV ratings issue for ND -
Dallasdomer,
2026-05-21, 09:21
- Yes and no -
beattherush,
2026-05-21, 13:38
- I think your "recover" question is the key - Jeff (BGS), 2026-05-22, 20:24
- Aren't we basically the old CBS? Good #'s, bad demographics -
cdawg,
2026-05-21, 13:45
- An excellent point -
beattherush,
2026-05-22, 07:13
- The Catholic Church has fucked us too.
![[ [ No text ] ]](themes/default/images/no_text.png "Empty posting / no text")
-
Grantland,
2026-05-22, 08:45
- If Freeman sticks around for another 3-5 years -
KGB,
2026-05-22, 08:15
- Yeah, agree with this - Jeremy (WeIsND), 2026-05-22, 08:47
- The Catholic Church has fucked us too.
- An excellent point -
beattherush,
2026-05-22, 07:13
- Objectively, we may be less of a TV draw than in the past -
Aaron (Shakespeare),
2026-05-21, 11:43
- We stack up better when taking a closer look -
Coach Gillespie,
2026-05-21, 14:54
- Also when averaging out the full season vs. other blue blood -
Captain Robb,
2026-05-21, 16:04
- Nice summary. - beattherush, 2026-05-22, 07:16
- Florida's number is deceiving - KGB, 2026-05-21, 16:33
- Also when averaging out the full season vs. other blue blood -
Captain Robb,
2026-05-21, 16:04
- We are a sleeping giant as a TV property IMO. - KGB, 2026-05-21, 12:01
- We stack up better when taking a closer look -
Coach Gillespie,
2026-05-21, 14:54
- Yes and no -
beattherush,
2026-05-21, 13:38
- As much heat as we're taking for the '26 schedule -
KGB,
2026-05-21, 10:47