It's always great to see the best Jeopardy! contestants return for James Holzhauer did receive an invitation to compete, but for some reason, he turned them down.

Jeopardy! Masters season 3 isn't bringing in strong ratings like it used to. Could James Holzhauer's absence be to blame?

According to the U.S. Sun, ratings for Jeopardy! Masters season 3, episode 2, decreased by almost 1 million viewers compared to the premiere. Roughly 3.1 million fans tuned in to the season 3 premiere, but the following week's episode fell to 2.35 million, meaning that about 800,000 viewers didn't watch. In comparison, there were about 4 million viewers for Jeopardy! Masters season 2. Interestingly, the Sun noted that Celebrity Wheel of Fortune, which airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m., the timeslot immediately preceding Masters, had higher ratings.

The Sun shared some social media reactions from fans, who speculated about the current state of Jeopardy! Masters' lower ratings. Some said the 9 p.m. timeslot is hurting the game show's chances, when it should be airing at 8 p.m. (currently occupied by Celebrity Wheel of Fortune). Others think there should be more episodes each week to keep everyone's attention. Elsewhere, some fans think having a champions spin-off in primetime is a big mistake and that they should move it into the "regular Jeopardy timeslot to avoid scheduling conflicts."

What Ratings Crash Means For Jeopardy! Masters Season 3

ABC Changed The Jeopardy! Masters Schedule

Speaking of the timeslot, Wednesday night is already filled with multiple reality shows on other networks, like Survivor and The Amazing Race. The former, in particular, is still one of the most popular reality shows around, so Jeopardy! Masters airing opposite the final half-hour of Survivor, when fans find out who's been voted off the island, is probably not helping the situation. The first two seasons of Jeopardy! Masters aired at 8 p.m. on multiple nights each week. For some reason, ABC decided to stick with one night a week for season 3.

Also, a show on network TV having low ratings is nothing new anymore. The television landscape is so fractured now, with many other options for viewers to choose from, including cable networks, streaming and social media, so it doesn't come as a surprise to see lower ratings for Jeopardy! Masters season 3.

Our Take On Jeopardy! Masters Ratings Crash

Live Viewership Isn't As Big Of A Factor Anymore

There could be multiple factors at play contributing to Jeopardy! Masters' lower ratings, from the timeslot and James' absence to shows on other networks capturing people's attention more. Whatever the case, there are still ways to watch Jeopardy! Masters, even if you don't tune in live. Episodes are available the next day on Hulu, for example. Considering live viewership can't be counted on as much anymore, ABC will probably be looking at delayed ratings to determine whether there's a fourth season next year.

Jeopardy! Masters airs Wednesdays at 9 p.m. EDT on ABC.

Source: U.S. Sun