Part 4/10:
One factor driving this decline is a shift in viewer habits. As the NFL once thrived on the ability to draw massive audiences for any matchup, this reality seems to be shifting. Fans are increasingly tuning in primarily to watch their local teams, mirroring trends seen in other sports leagues like the NBA and Major League Baseball. The current statistics reflect a disconcerting trend: while total viewership fell by 2% this regular season, local broadcasts have bolstered ratings, unlike national viewership.