The ending of basketball games is un-watchable. At least if you are watching live at the venue or on tv. If I am watching it on TV, I prefer to have the dvr at least 30 minutes behind so I can skip commercials,half time and time outs. Intentional fouls, team time outs and media time outs encourage tune out. I could be live tweeting with other fans at those times but I choose not too. I only have 3 hours a day, and sometimes less, during the week to spend with my family. I can’t see spending that time on more than a few tweets tops. So I prefer tape.

I struggle with the solutuion.

Viewing peaks at the end of close games. That’s when advertisers will pay the most to run spots. Hockey, soccer and NASCAR all make it work with running clocks and limited commercials.

We have had no luck convincing NCAA, NBA and NFL execs to limit the number of commercials at the end of games. May never either. BUT, can’t we at least get rid of the intential foul in basketball? Make it 2 free throws and possesion of the ball. It is unwatchable to me to encourage the coaches to try their luck at opponents not hitting free throws versus forcing turnovers on defense. I get it is all about winning but stlye does matter if you want to keep a live tv audience audience. Only about 47% of tv audiences are watching it live, the rest via DVR and streaming services. The time will come when advertisiers demand changes or they will take their money elsewhere.