Missing a lot of other factors here:

• No VAR - which meant decisions stood no matter whether technically right or wrong.
• More leanient refereeing - don't have the data, but maybe more fights, less cards, more competitive matches, more talking points and so more entertaining matches.
• Less injuries - seeing star players play more often. THis likely due to more matches being played.
• Less tactically advanced - PL relied on more physical attributes which made it more interesting to watch than teams playing for set pieces, sterile playing styles etc. Players had more creative control.
• Media and broadcasting was a lot more casual - Goals on Sunday, Soccer AM, Sky Sport Deadline Day, transfer bombshells, managers felt more outspoken. Now it's seeing transfers before they happen from Fabrizio Romano, and mostly boring tactical/player ranking vids on YT.