Concern Mounts for 'ManningCast' After ESPN's Discreet Ratings Update

The Mannings appeared to have hit a roadblock in progressing their viewership for the ManningCast on ESPN.

ESPN seems to have deliberately omitted the Week 1 viewership numbers for the ManningCast in their recent press release, marking the first time they haven't included this data since the show's debut three years ago.

The overall audience for the Monday Night Football game, featuring the Jets and 49ers, was strong at 20.5 million viewers, making it the second most-watched Week 1 game in ESPN's Monday Night Football era. However, ESPN didn't break down how many of those viewers tuned into the ManningCast on ESPN2.

The numbers have finally come out to show how the popular show fared on Monday night, and unfortunately, it became clear as to why ESPN excluded it from its press release.

The debut of the 2024 ManningCast on ESPN hit an all-time low in viewership, drawing only 872,000 viewers, as reported by Sports Business Daily.

This marked a 43% decrease from Week 1 in 2023 and accounted for just 4.2% of ESPN's total audience of 20.5 million. Notably, the DirecTV audience of 11 million potential viewers is still excluded from these figures, but ESPN did not clarify this in their release.

The decline in viewership raises questions about the value of the ManningCast, especially since high-profile guest Bill Belichick's appearance did not boost ratings.

Critics suggest that ESPN may need to reconsider the cost of the show, which could be up to $30 million annually, given that it seems to primarily draw viewers away from the main broadcast without increasing the overall audience.

Some argue that the ManningCast is more about image than impact, with its media praise possibly influenced by Peyton Manning's stature in football media. Despite his success in business, Manning's perception may be the show's most significant achievement, masking disappointing ratings like those seen on Monday night.

The Mannings will hope for stronger viewership in Week 2 when the Atlanta Falcons face the Philadelphia Eagles on Sept. 16 at 8:15 p.m. ET.

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