I haven’t been able to post as much as I would like over the last week and it’s usually a busy week on the site. My apologies. I will be here throughout today to update things and I’ll provide my grades to the Super Bowl ads after each quarter.
Some quick thoughts as we get ready to watch the Big Game:
- The last three Super Bowls have set viewing records. Super Bowl XLVI garnered 111.3 million on NBC. However, this year, the NFL enters this Super Bowl on a down note as the 2013 postseason averaged three year lows as Paulsen at Sports Media Watch points out. I think the Super Bowl viewership has plateaued and will not set a record this year. However, if the game goes to overtime, then all bets are off, but I don’t think the game will go to an extra period. The Big Game will garner 108.2 million viewers this year.
- It seems Super Bowl marketers want to get buzz about their ads before the Big Game. While many have learned their lesson and not released their ads in their entirety as they did last year, some still put theirs out in the days leading up to today. The ad that had the biggest buzz last year was Chrysler’s Morning in America spot that had Clint Eastwood narrating. I understand that marketers want their ads to go viral before the game, but I feel they lose buzz when they do that. But I’m not spending $4 million per spot and for many companies, this is the biggest shot they’ll get all year to get eyeballs. Still, I feel it’s best for marketers to air their ads during the game.
- CBS will have 62 cameras in the Louisiana Superdome for the Super Bowl. Jim Nantz and Phil Simms will call the game and they’ll have Steve Tasker and Solomon Wilcots roaming the sidelines. Unless it has a halftime wardrobe malfunction as it did back in Super Bowl XXXVII, CBS gives you a very good nuts and bolts broadcast. It’s one of the best crews and has a good reputation in stepping up in the big events.
- Dial Global Radio will have Kevin Harlan and Boomer Esiason on the call. Esiason will do double duty as he’ll also be on TV with the Super Bowl Today crew. James Lofton and Mark Malone will be your sideline analysts/reporters. Kevin is a very good radio announcer. I love his Monday Night Football calls.
- Let’s play the game already!
Enjoy your Super Bowl Sunday.
