This should be interesting. I feel like NBC did a nice job covering Olympic hockey. Hopefully they'll show more games than ABC did (though the article say they won't, at least in year one of the deal).
Now they just need to have a 2004-05 season, and they'll be all set! :P
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"The deal, announced Wednesday, will call for NBC to broadcast seven regular-season games beginning in January and six playoff games in regular Saturday afternoon time slots. The network also will televise Games 3-7 of the Stanley Cup finals in prime time."
That's it? Seven regular season games?
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Biggest difference will be if they can get competent people to call the games. I just can't listen to the buffoons on ABC without getting a headache. Otherwise, I wouldn't expect this to be much different from the ABC coverage which wasn't much different than the Fox coverage (well, except for the puck).
The Toronto Maple Leafs: Hockey's equivalent of the Chicago Cubs, but easier to hate.
Talking to the fans like they're idiots isn't going to sell the game. If someone - anyone - would just try to market hockey as a fast, tough, exciting sport instead of that quirky game on ice they play in Canada, maybe they'd make a little more headway.
What's going to make the marginal viewer watch the game rather than change the channel? Make them think it's something important. An astute sports fan can pick up hockey just by watching a couple of games and paying attention - kids here can watch the game and understand it at seven years old for crying out loud. The current presentation of the game isn't attracting new fans nor is it appealing to the confirmed following, as evidenced by the fact that the TV rights don't mean a hell of a lot to the American networks. The fact that the game is presented as a sideshow rather than a sport on par with baseball, football, or basketball just perpetuates the impression that it's second rate and causes people to change the channel.
The Toronto Maple Leafs: Hockey's equivalent of the Chicago Cubs, but easier to hate.
Originally posted by fuelinjectedThat's it? Seven regular season games?
They only showed FIVE during their current ABC contract.
Originally posted by BigVitoMarkI just can't listen to the buffoons on ABC without getting a headache.
Gary Thorne is AWESOME and I hope he goes to NBC to call their games as well. Bill Clement is quite good, and so are Steve Levy and Darren Pang. I'm not a real big Brian Engblom-fan.
“To get ass, you’ve got to bring ass." -- Roy Jones Jr.
"Your input has been noted. I hope you don't take it personally if I disregard it." -- Guru Zim
Biggest difference will be if they can get competent people to call the games. I just can't listen to the buffoons on ABC without getting a headache. Otherwise, I wouldn't expect this to be much different from the ABC coverage which wasn't much different than the Fox coverage (well, except for the puck).
Somewhere, Bob Costas is boning up on his NHL history and random stats. Helpful hint for Bob if he's reading: if you're ever stuck wondering who has a record for something, 3-1 odds say it's Gretzky.
THE QUEST FOR LORD STANLEY'S CUP
Tied for 9th: St. Louis Blues, New York Islanders, Dallas Stars, New Jersey Devils, Nashville Predators, Boston Bruins, Vancouver Canucks, Ottawa Senators Tied for 5th:Montreal Canadiens, Detroit Red Wings, Toronto Maple Leafs, Colorado Avalanche Tied for 3rd:San Jose Sharks Second: The Champion:
I was rooting for a CBS/Spike deal that was rumored a year ago, but this is decent was well... I like NBC coverage during the Olympics. NBC doesn't have much in their sports department so they will more likely put a good focus and hype(the few games they do have) then ABC which seems to have their plate full.
I wonder if this will effect the Cable deal any. The ABC/ ESPN partnership was very convenient as they are owned by the same company... If NHL doesn't sign with ESPN, will this effect their coverage in the States even worse on Sportscenter.
smark/net attack wienerville advisory stays at BLUE alert - Guarded (With Benoit & Eddie being World & WWE champions you'd expect all's be right but couldn't do it due to Trish/Y2J character switches & whats the deal with JBL PPV main event)- 5/6
I wouldn't think that the SportsCenter coverage would suffer too much. The NHL is still a major sports league and would still warrant as much coverage as its been getting. But, I also think that ESPN will keep its contract with the NHL.
(Not Bob Kohm)
In the context of baseball, the use of drugs hurts only the player. In the context of baseball, the use of alcohol hurts only the player. In the context of baseball, womanizing hurts whom? Maybe the wife of the player? In the context of baseball, felonies are crimes against society, not against baseball. In the context of baseball, gambling is the only crime against baseball.
Gambling, in the context of baseball, is a capital offense and Rose has richly earned-- hell, he agreed to-- his death sentence. Let him hang.
Bob Kohm, co-owner of Rotojunkies.com (rotojunkies.com) , and a large market kind of guy.
Originally posted by Packman V2Holy crap, NBC has a professional sports league to broadcast...they're probably gonna shit themselves, not knowing what to do.
What, the AFL doesn't count? :-) NBC extended that deal through 2006.
Star wipe, and...we're out. Thrillin' ain't easy.
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Originally posted by The ThrillESPN did re-up its deal with the NHL. (ESPN.com)
Originally posted by Packman V2Holy crap, NBC has a professional sports league to broadcast...they're probably gonna shit themselves, not knowing what to do.
What, the AFL doesn't count? :-) NBC extended that deal through 2006.
Ok, they finally have a major professional sports league...since the exodus of the NFL, NBA, and MLB.
Originally posted by BigVitoMarkWhat's going to make the marginal viewer watch the game rather than change the channel? Make them think it's something important. An astute sports fan can pick up hockey just by watching a couple of games and paying attention - kids here can watch the game and understand it at seven years old for crying out loud... The fact that the game is presented as a sideshow rather than a sport on par with baseball, football, or basketball just perpetuates the impression that it's second rate and causes people to change the channel.
As a relatively new fan to hockey, I've got to agree with BigVitoMark. I am not sure what anyone can do to "sell" the game other than giving it the proper exposure and place amongst the other sports. I watched hockey a bit in college because it was big at our school ( U of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Div III (uwsp.edu)...we even have a women's program that was runner up for NCAA DIII this year), but I have never been into the NHL. That is, until I watched the Flames/Red Wings series finale game, with Gelinas getting the goal in OT. That goal had me jump off my couch yelling at the TV--and I had no reason to be doing so, other than the fact that I got swept up in a really great sports event. I have jumped on the Flames bandwagon (and don't plan on falling off, even if they lose) and have tried to catch all the playoff games since then. I am a huge sports fan, football being my first love. If somehow more people could just get exposed to how exciting the game really is, maybe there would be more NHL fans? I have talked to many people who have said "Hockey? Who cares???" and yet these same friends of mine live and die to watch football. I really think both sports are equally exciting, I just don't know why more people don't give it a chance. Perhaps you are right, BigVitoMark, if it would just be presented as a real sport parallel to baseball or football, more people WOULD give it a chance. I don't know, I'm too new of a fan to answer that. But I know what sold me, and it wasn't the announcing or the way the game was presented. It was just the excitement and athleticism of the game itself.
"Because I’m a fan. Because I view this industry as an art form, and I have a deep appreciation for that art form because I’m not physically able and never have been and never will be physically able to do what they do in the ring. And even if I was physically able, I don’t think I have the balls to attempt it. It’s so dangerous. It’s so hard. It’s so intricate. It’s so difficult. It’s so taxing. I couldn’t do it. And I have enormous respect and admiration for those who do, let alone do it well."
I think that NBC will do great with the NHL. Since it has room on the roster, they can market it as a big sport, making each one of its seven games a big event.
I hope the Flyers win the cup so J.R. can retire and go straight to the studio, maybe with NBC. Either that or we can hope Grapes leaves HNIC to go to the States. But that's soooooo unlikely.
Originally posted by Submit2theXFaceI watched hockey a bit in college because it was big at our school ( U of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Div III (uwsp.edu)...we even have a women's program that was runner up for NCAA DIII this year), but I have never been into the NHL.
There you go again with the coincidences, man. My little brother, who's graduating from Ashwaubenon High School here in...uh, Ashwaubenon (suburb of Green Bay...a stone's throw from Lambeau Field), is gonna play football at Point this fall.
But I did by my old roommate, now back in the USAF, a Wings jersey for his B-day...don't hate me. :-)
Star wipe, and...we're out. Thrillin' ain't easy.
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In this part of the world, we've been able to watch Crosby for a while. To be honest, he's always impressed me with just how well he's dealt with the pressure and the ego-stroking.