Been searching for all the UConn fans....

[doggydaddy]

And I finally found them.

From the 2002-03 season to 2004-05, UConn saw its average home attendance improve from 12,411 to 13,613. Since then, attendance has dropped every season, with the exception of a bump of 158 in 2007-08.

So, where are these fans? Are they actually not following the team anymore?

The answer finally came out with the switch to SNY and they way they count viewship. Based on their ratings formula, UConn viewership is 18% higher than last year.

The theory that attendance is down due to HD television and now the great coverage from SNY seems to be valid.

So, others can win the game attendance awards. UConn is right now the most popular women's probgram in the country.

 

[Tonyc]

doggy I love going to the games. You can see so much more of whats going on. As great as SNY is watching the games live is so much better then I get home and watch the game that I taped.

 

[ThisJustIn]

I think there is an interested learning process when watching basketball (says she, about her own experience). The first time I attended a women's basketball game -- and I think I had gone to a Celtics game waaaaay back in the old arena -- I was encouraged by a friend to go see the Liberty in 1997. The house was packed, and the simple fact that 16,000 folks were there to see a women's TEAM sport (I'd attended the old Virginia Slims circuit with BJK, Rosie, Betty and such, as well as seeing Martina when she retired) just blew me away.

Then I experienced the actual game -- three or four rows behind the basket. Whoa! I was hooked.

But -- I didn't really know how to watch the game. I had played a little ice hockey, and that helped -- I think they're very similar, strategy-wise. But then I lucked out, and started writing about the games -- which allowed me to hear coaches and other writers talk about what happened. I'd also record every game, and rewatching -- with the help of the commentary and analysis, as well as the targeted viewing dictated by the director/producer -- gave me insight into the structure of offenses and defenses.

Eventually, I was able to watch live games more critically -- and without obsessively following the ball handler. I could see plays develop.

So now, I don't often may the 6 hour round trip to see UConn -- gas, car rental and age (and a full time program direcor position) have taken their toll. BUT, I have hopped the bus, and I did go to St. Thomas. Because, while watching on TV is great -- and being able to see replays in educational -- being able to look at what I want, and being able to feel the ebb and flow of the energy on the court and in the stands.... well, that's priceless.

 

[Fiftyish]

I will have attended 9 games this year before we head down to FL in Feb. Watching the games live is great especially when there is a good crowd and they are into it. But, it's also nice being able to avoid the drive, parking, etc and watch the games from the comfort of your own home. I try to strike a balance. I don't doubt that having every game televised has cut into attendance but like you said TV viewers are also fans.

 

[vtcwbuff]

"The answer finally came out with the switch to SNY and they way they count viewship. Based on their ratings formula, UConn is 18% than last year in viewship."

I'm assuming that you meant to say that UConn ratings are 18% higher than last year. If so, I'm not sure what that proves other than the fact that SNY has a bigger footprint than CPTV.

UConn game attendance has decreased by 32% over the last 8 years. That has impacts other than bragging rights.

 

[ABachelor6CR]

I, for one, use to LOVE going to the games....but then life happened on the way to the forum....lol

 

[doggydaddy]

"The answer finally came out with the switch to SNY and they way they count viewship. Based on their ratings formula, UConn is 18% than last year in viewship."

I'm assuming that you meant to say that UConn ratings are 18% higher than last year. If so, I'm not sure what that proves other than the fact that SNY has a bigger footprint than CPTV.

UConn game attendance has decreased by 32% over the last 8 years. That has impacts other than bragging rights.

I like my take better.

Also the GTown game averaged an 8.52 household rating – the network’s highest rating of the season. It was also the highest household rating in nearly two years for the program for the Hartford-New Haven area. The game ranked as the #1 program in its time period – beating all competitive sports programming airing in the market – including ESPN’s NBA Double Header.

I don't know how this can be downplayed. It's also an indicator that while attendance is down, viewship is up, extended market or not.

 

[vtcwbuff]

I like my take better.

Also the GTown game averaged an 8.52 household rating – the network’s highest rating of the season. It was also the highest household rating in nearly two years for the program for the Hartford-New Haven area. The game ranked as the #1 program in its time period – beating all competitive sports programming airing in the market – including ESPN’s NBA Double Header.

I don't know how this can be downplayed. It's also an indicator that while attendance is down, viewship is up, extended market or not.

I misread your OP. I thought you were comparing SNY ratings to CPTV ratings. Your butchered sentence " UConn is 18% than last year . . . "didn't help. After reading the article I think it means that viewership has grown 18% since the first game.

 

[Icebear]

Wait until the CESs new generation TVs hit the market with 4k and 8k screens and curved screens putting you right in the middle of the action.

 

[AllAmerRedHeads]

I still follow UConn but admit I do not attend as many games since all my work with the All American Red Heads. However I just got a luxury suite for the UConn Baylor game and can't wait

 

[doggydaddy]

I misread your OP. I thought you were comparing SNY ratings to CPTV ratings. Your butchered sentence " UConn is 18% than last year . . . "didn't help. After reading the article I think it means that viewership has grown 18% since the first game.

If they would let us edit the post more than a minute after posting, I would have fixed it.....lol.

I should have posted the additional info in the original post.