Local NFL ratings show the struggles in New York and L.A., and the value of an elite QB

When looking for reasons that explain the NFL’s 7% TV viewership drop this season, most analysts point to the changing viewing habits during the pandemic, particularly during an election year where news networks have seen significant gains. Indeed, cable news viewership during NFL windows in 2020 was up 52% year-over-year. But there’s another reason that’s been floating under the radar. In terms of television, the league has a New York and Los Angeles problem that has little to do with the…