Weekly Roundup – September 9th, 2025
Roundup Links
NFL says Nielsen undercounting millions of viewers
"NFL Chief Data and Analytics Officer Paul Ballew said that Nielsen is “underestimating the audience” for games, according to Joe Flint of the WALL STREET JOURNAL. Lower numbers can “cost the league’s media partners ad revenue and hamper its rights negotiations.” Ballew: “There are millions of viewers that we believe they are systematically undercounting.” The league has also been “experimenting with alternatives to Nielsen for additional viewing data,” including VideoAmp. A Nielsen spokesperson said it is “confident this will be the most accurately rated football season in history.” She added that Nielsen is “working closely with the league to innovate its data collection.”"
Our Take: Another week, another instance of Nielsen undercounting audiences. Someone remind me of the purpose of Nielsen to digital platforms when streaming has given broadcasters immediate access to accurate, second-by-second viewership metrics.
What are the greatest podcasts of all time?
"Left of Dial’s Essential Listening Poll gathered 300 audio creators, podcast hosts, writers, and scholars from around the world for the first time to create the definitive list of the most groundbreaking, influential, and beloved podcasts of all time. Voters were asked to share the five shows that are most important and meaningful to them."
Our Take: I like this list and there are some left-field entries with a lot of artistic merit. However, when you get towards the #1 spot those podcasts tend to be a little on the older side and some no longer exist. I look forward to newer productions in upcoming lists like this one.
Sports rights growth in US outpaces TV market fivefold over decade
"Spending on US sports rights has reached $30.5 billion in 2025, more than doubling over the past decade, according to new research from Ampere Analysis.
The figure represents a 122 percent increase from 2015, when rights spending totaled $13.8 billion. By comparison, combined revenues from broadcast, cable, and streaming in the US rose 24 percent in the same period, growing from $172 billion in 2015 to $213 billion in 2025.
Sports rights now account for 14 percent of total US television revenue, up from 8 percent in 2015. Ampere said the shift highlights the continued premium placed on live sports as media companies look to attract and retain subscribers in a fragmented market."
Our Take: Broadcasters are throwing treasure chests of booty at acquiring sports rights because they are the only sure thing in the digital streaming (post-cable bundle) economy. The problem is that the execs striking these deals are over-paying for the rights themselves. This leaves a lot companies in the same place as they were before: merely staying afloat.
Scoop: Democrats weigh mini-convention before 2026 midterms
"Senior Democratic officials want to hold a rare national convention before the 2026 midterms to showcase candidates and emerging leaders of the party, people familiar with the conversations tell Axios.
Why it matters: The event — a smaller version of the national conventions the party holds in presidential election years — would allow the party to fundraise and get media attention as it tries to win back both chambers of Congress next year.
It also could create a national stage for Democrats running in key House, Senate and governors' races to frame their arguments against President Trump and his MAGA Republicans."
Our Take: Democrats need to pilot a rebrand in preparation for the 2028 general, and a DNC-led mini-convention before the 2026 mid-terms provides that opportunity.
