The first two Stanley Cup Playoff games are not on NBC, but Versus

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5/20/08

The first two Stanley Cup Playoff games are not on NBC, but Versus

The NHL Manages To Shoot Itself In The Foot Once Again

NHL

by rootman54

more posts by author

I highly doubt this is entirely Gary Bettman’s doing, but I’m going to blame him anyway. Games 1 and 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals are not on national television. Well, technically, they are, but who gets Versus?

That’s right, whatever genius is in charge of putting hockey on TV decided to put the biggest games of the year on a channel that more than half of the fans don’t even have. Obviously the only way to fix a dying sport is too hide them even more. Are you kidding me?

Back to me blaming Bettman…He needs to realize that the NHL on Versus sucks and should probably terminate that three-year extension that the league and Versus just signed. For god’s sake why did he ever even sign the contract with Versus (formerly Outdoor Life Network) in the first place? In order to grow the game, it needs to be viewable. Even I know that. I’m sure more Canadians were able to see game 6 between Dallas and Detroit, on CBC, than Americans.

So once again, a Finals that should be a great one between the high powered Red Wings and the young, star-studded Penguins will draw the lowest ratings in NHL history because no one will know where to find it.

By the way, if you do have CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Channel) or simply, “the Canadian channel” as I call it, every Finals game will be shown on there. I find it to be better coverage, as the Canadians actually know what they are talking about. They also show the pre-game festivities and national anthems. Not listening to Doc Emrick is a plus as well.

Don Cherry (who will be on CBC) and his garish suits, approve of this blog. But not the way the NHL handled this.

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5/20/08

MrNFL

6

5/20/08

MrNFL

I actually like Emrick as an announcer, but anyhow...

I really don't understand why the NHL does this. If the series goes 2-0, that's going to take a lot of the interest away. The casual fan won't ever get into the series because they don't know it's on.

This is the best matchup they've had in years for ratings. And it should be a phenomenal series. But it probably won't matter. It doesn't matter how good your product is if no one can watch it. If everyone can watch, the ratings flow in, even if your product isn't as good.

5/20/08

Kegger

(Edited by Kegger)

Well don't go blaming the NHL...er Bettman fully. After the lockout, ESPN did not wish to renew. NBC only offered for a small amount of games. OLN/Versus stepped up and said we'll pay. So don't go getting your panties in a wad over something that other networks decided not to do. The fact of the matter is, ESPN said we don't want the NHL. The same can be said for every other major U.S. network, save NBC - who as I said doesn't have much of an offering for the NHL.

Edit: I will find the link, but my inference in saying ESPN didn't want the NHL was in their offer. Once I find the link, I'll share!

NHL on Versus - TV rights

5/20/08

IlliniBob72

2	Kegger is right. It isn't like ESPN or Fox were screaming for NHL games and Bettman decided to go with Versus. That said, I think Versus does an excellent job with the games.

5/20/08

Kegger

IlliniBob72 wrote:

Kegger is right. It isn't like ESPN or Fox were screaming for NHL games and Bettman decided to go with Versus. That said, I think Versus does an excellent job with the games.

I love watching it on Versus. But I have the pleasure of having Comcast as my provider, so I also get to watch the games shown on Comcast SportsNet. In fact, It's always great when the Flyers, Caps, Penguins and a random game is on Versus, as I get all of them on different channels.
With all of that said, I do blame ESPN for "giving in" to the OLN/Versus offer. But the lockout had a lot to do with the reasoning, I'm sure.

5/20/08

MrNFL

IlliniBob72 wrote:

Kegger is right. It isn't like ESPN or Fox were screaming for NHL games and Bettman decided to go with Versus. That said, I think Versus does an excellent job with the games.

The thing is, it doesn't matter how good Versus is if most people don't have it. Most hockey fans will search for the games wherever they are, but it's not loyal fans the NHL lacks. It's the interest of the casual fan, and the casual fan is typically fed whatever ESPN says and believes it. Unfortunately, because ESPN pretty much takes a dump on hockey (just trying to watch Around the Horn is impossible, because 8 of the 10 topics each day are NBA, and very rarely does the NHL get in there) most casual fans also just take a dump on hockey, and don't bother to give it a chance.

Even a bad deal with ESPN gets you a lot more exposure, not only because ESPN/ESPN2 have a much larger audience than Versus, but because they would also promote it a hell of a lot better and dedicate a LOT more time to it. If ESPN/ABC didn't have NBA rights, they wouldn't shove that down our throats for over half of every program.

5/20/08

MrNFL

(Edited by MrNFL)

Back to the overall thing of the blog, how do you NOT have your complete final series on TV for people to watch? It kills me, I'm going (read: forced) to go to a cousins' wedding this weekend back in Indiana, and I don't have Versus down there, and hardly anyone I know does either. So I'm totally screwed unless I want to spend an entire night in a restaurant/bar watching it.

Of course, if the NHL knew how to promote it's league at all, they wouldn't be as screwed as they still are in terms of TV.

5/20/08

Kegger

0	That I do not argue with in any way shape or form. Which is why I feel the picture in this blog is worth one word. That word is plainly written for all to see. I was shocked to hear some can't see the first two games. This solely falls on Mr. Id..er Bettman's shoulders. One day someone will wake up and say wow, he <insert witty fumble pun> really messed up badly.

5/20/08

MrNFL

6

5/20/08

Boski93

The NHL has no one to blame for making themselves even more of a niche sport than themselves. Was hockey ever going to be #1 no, but now it becoming a punch line, which is a shame because I like hockey. Sure I am not the biggest hockey fan, and I may keep my interest just to the Kings, but I not just some yahoo who has no clue about the game. Look maybe being a Kings fan prepared me for being disappointed, but I will keep coming back to hockey. I think the NHL has to look at finding a new path to spark interest in new fans and fans that walked away. Look the NBA found its way back after their labor issues, so there is hope.

5/21/08

kizzlep

0	I have directv and Get VS. in HD..I have no complaints...like i need some Mullet Canadian to call a game

5/21/08

MIKE!

AREN YOU SERIOUS!

this is why it would be nice to have all commissioners as good as the NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. he took the big game of last season (NE @ NYG) and put it on national TV instead of just the NFL Network so that more people would be able to see history in the making. well, that was the regular season. the NHL is in the STANLEY CUP FINALS! therehad better be a damn good excuse for this one