NFL unconcerned by ratings drop

Through the first four weeks of the 2016 NFL season, television ratings have been down. The league is aware of the situation, but not worried.

NFL media chief Brian Rolapp downplayed the drop, telling the Wall Street Journal "we're missing some stars out there," according to Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio.

Rolapp made the point that the NFL has experienced slow starts to previous seasons, and overall the league has "done just fine."

Fox Sports President Eric Shanks pointed to the U.S. presidential election as the reason for the lack of ratings. MMQB's Albert Breer points to the oversaturation of the media market and less competitiveness among teams as the reasoning.

While the NFL may argue against it, a new league policy restricting the use of videos on social media before and during games may be the result of the lack of TV viewers.