NHL needs to get back on espn ASAP

[WingMachine91 0]

sooo the nhl really needs to get back on a major network channel, because the all star game rating was crap. maybe if people who watched sports were watching espn, could be filled in on when the game was happening, or even have it on nbc. like nobody watches OLN or now Versus...nobody, i hardly ever catch games on that channel because i dont usually watch it for anything else, center ice is what i use. but the nhl really needs to get back on espn, and have nhl tonight(loved that show) and back in the usual swing of things. cause if things keep going like this, things arent looking good for the league. even on nbc, where nbc would have commercials and keep the casual fan informed so maybe they would remember it. plus, half the people i know dont even have the versus channel.

o and talk about making the all star game crappy, alright the game was good, but they really screwed up on pickin players. I dont care about the lets get someone from every team in. thats not what is gonna get u ratings, its gonna be star power, not skill power..lets be honost. even though some of these players were injured, how the hell do u leave out players like, kovolchuk, hasek, dats(for entertainment with his moves) jagr, kozlov, etc. for players likke justin williams. what u need to have is the big market players on big market teams, even though thats not the fair thing to do, thats what gets ratings and everyone knows it. plus they need to stop showing games on versus that consist of st.louis-chicago or colombus-florida

if i could run the nhl, or anyone who knows hockey and the american people, im sure we could do a much better job than this.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/allstar2007/...tory?id=2746344

Edited January 29, 2007 by WingMachine91

[Guest Crymson]

Unfortunately, many markets do not have access to Versus. This drives my dad crazy--he lives in the Williamston area (outside Lansing), and even digital cable there does not have Versus yet, so he cannot watch the Tour de France.

As for the All-Star Game, I couldn't care less about it. It doesn't really matter in the context of the Red Wings. I imagine a lot of people don't watch simply because the game has no stake in anything substantial.

[Mighty Wings 0]

I doubt a 0.7 rating is good enough to get the NHL back on ESPN. With the ASG they had a chance to showcase the league, as well as its star players and it was a wasted opportunity the moment versus became the network to carry the game. I've continued to say this....it should've been on NBC over the weekend. Here is Kuklas article about the ratings. Keep reading and it will appear fine, until you get to the chart and get a reality check.

[puckloo39 5,686]

Unfortunately, many markets do not have access to Versus. This drives my dad crazy--he lives in the Williamston area (outside Lansing), and even digital cable there does not have Versus yet, so he cannot watch the Tour de France.

As for the All-Star Game, I couldn't care less about it. It doesn't really matter in the context of the Red Wings. I imagine a lot of people don't watch simply because the game has no stake in anything substantial.

true, it took my cable company two years to put OLN (VS) on the digital tier, and it's still not on the analog system her in Austin. If you want hockey, you have to have digital cable in order to get Center Ice, so shell out the bucks! The cable system my friends in Dallas are on doesn't have Versus yet, either. I guess they assume if you live in Dallas, you would only want to ever see the Stars on FSN Southwest, right?

Ditto on the ASG, who cares?

But as for the future of hockey in the US, they're not making it any easier to draw in new fans when they make the game inaccessible to viewers at large.

[Icteria virens 11]

But as for the future of hockey in the US, they're not making it any easier to draw in new fans when they make the game inaccessible to viewers at large.

at least the league has been proactive with putting some games on the internet like MLB.

in terms of ESPN, hockey wasn't exactly getting outstanding ratings while it was on ESPN, Area Football was outdrawing NHL games on TV. People seem to act like ESPN is a magical cure for hockey when it's a niche sport in the US. Too expensive to play for many.

Was hockey gaining in popularity when it was on ESPN? If anything the ratings were going downhill every year. When it came time to offer a contract for the rights after the lockout ESPN gave the NHL such a lowball number it was insulting to the NHL. Don't look for it on ESPN anytime soon when Poker, Madden video games, and bowling get better ratings.

People keep saying ESPN will grow the sport but where's the evidence for that? It failed to grow the sport before and now with even more sports options and channels how would it accomplish that?

[zata40 3]

espn was not the best but it has to be better than VS

[puckbags 863]

By listening to the satelite hot stove after the second intermission of HNIC last night it sounds like they are definetely going to switch the format for the all star game. There were no details given but it's been talked about!!

[wingslogo19 281]

See beeing from Canada, i got to watch the all star game on CBC

[eva unit zero 271]

The ratings culprit is not the channel.

It's the fact that many viewers who would normally tune in to the All-Star game did not because of WHEN it was on, and more importantly, what else was on in competition with it.

A weekend event is better, but even a Friday night game--when there are no big-ticket events to compete with--would have drawn in more ratings.

I have to believe, also, that the ridiculous Youngstars game affected viewership as well.

My solution: An All-star tournament. One team from each division, seeded by total division record. All-Star week would be scheduled as such:

Monday:

6 p.m. EST: Game A; East #2 vs East #3

9 p.m. EST: Game B;West #2 vs West #3

Tuesday:

6 p.m. EST: NHL All-Star Skills Competition

Wednesday

6 p.m. EST: Game C; East #1 vs Winner A

9 p.m. EST: Game D; West #1 vs Winner B

Thursday:

Youngstars game...but a REAL game. None of this 7 forwards, 4-on-4, short periods crap. Make it a real game with full 12-6-2 rosters showcasing the league's young talent, and include players who have been named to the big boys team (No Crosby or Ovechkin in this year's game was a baaad move)

Friday

6 p.m. EST: Game E; Loser C vs Loser D

9 p.m. EST: Game F; Winner C vs Winner D

If we're having the All-Star game on a weekday, THAT is how it should be done. It gives people a team to root for, and no team doesn't have one of the 20 best players in the division.

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

You can't blame OLN/VS for trying to latch onto the NHL. They are trying to increase their networking prescene by trying to get their feet wet in new sports/leagues. The NHL obviously, plus my alma mater is a part of the Mountain West Conference, and the MWC struck a deal with VS and 1-2 MWC football games were broadcasted on Saturdays. Unsure if they've broadcasted any MWC college basketball games or not.

So, VS has been double pleasure for me seeing my favorite hockey team and my school play.

However, I'm only one pea in a pot out of millions. I go to a sports forum from my college every now and then and a lot of people are disgruntled that MWC games are barely on ESPN or Fox Sports anymore.

It's just not available on your normal selection of cable channels in most markets. You either gotta get digi cable, DirectTV, etc.

Again, VS isn't really at fault here, blame the NHL and MWC for trying to jump into a partnership with a network who has never really broadcasted mainstream sports on a consistent basis and that not many people really know about.

I admire what OLN/VS is trying to do and I will always watch the Red Wings and my school whatever station(s) they come on, but I just don't see these deals working out in 3 - 5 years.

[auxlepli 17]

In the general scheme of things, I'd still rather see the NHL on VS than ESPN.

I think it had more to do with going head-to-head with the number 1 show in the states.

[DatsyukRules 0]

what a mess.

[auxlepli 17]

I admire what OLN/VS is trying to do and I will always watch the Red Wings and my school whatever station(s) they come on, but I just don't see these deals working out in 3 - 5 years.

I respectfully disagree with you. I think it will work. I don't have anything to base it on; it's just my gut feeling.

Maybe I'm just being overly optimistic, which is extremely odd, b/c I'm usually a pessimistic, cynical f*** especially on message boards. lol

We'll see. I am hoping for the best though.

[betterREDthandead 58]

I don't care what the ratings are or were - it's really hard to argue that the NHL is better off with it's marquee network being one that isn't even available in some areas.

ESPN is basic cable that almost everyone has. Nobody turns on Vs. just to see what's on. Vs. isn't being shown in hotel lobbies or bus stations or anywhere people might gather where there's a TV. With the NHL on ESPN, there's more Sportscenter highlights, more hockey buzz on the shows like PTI and Around the Horn. In other words, people who aren't watching for the hockey will see the hockey anyway.....it's like advertising. Advertising always hooks a few people.

Having hockey on NBC is a plus, and Vs. seems to be doing a nice job of building themselves a niche network. But until the Vs. audience expands - BIG time - hockey's growth will be hurt by staying on Vs. ESPN is the place to be.

[Wings_Toledo 233]

If Versus could get a different crew for commentary and such I think more people might watch. Well, that, on top of showing games with better matchups. I feel that hockey will never truly be one of the top 3 or even 4 sports in the U.S., but it will always remain in the top spot in Canada. I like catching games on CBC, and since I'm lucky enough to get that channel, I'm satisfied. Though, it would be nice to see more hockey on American channels that most everyone receives.

[Icteria virens 11]

With the NHL on ESPN, there's more Sportscenter highlights, more hockey buzz on the shows like PTI and Around the Horn. In other words, people who aren't watching for the hockey will see the hockey anyway.....it's like advertising. Advertising always hooks a few people.

Having hockey on NBC is a plus, and Vs. seems to be doing a nice job of building themselves a niche network. But until the Vs. audience expands - BIG time - hockey's growth will be hurt by staying on Vs. ESPN is the place to be.

how long was hockey on ESPN? A decade and a half, 2 decades? How much did hockey grow if Arean Football was getting better ratings near the end of ESPN's tenure? It is a total myth that ESPN will grow hockey, if didn't do it before and there's nothing in the ratings to suggest it would in the future.

PTI and Around the Horn almost never mentioned hockey, even when it was on that network, unless they wanted to make fun of it.

there's no hockey buzz like you said when poker gets better ratings than hockey after years of hockey coverage.

ESPN tried alot of things, it never worked for them. They gave the NHL a lowball offer that just pissed off the NHL execs after the lockout.

[WingMachine91 0]

how long was hockey on ESPN? A decade and a half, 2 decades? How much did hockey grow if Arean Football was getting better ratings near the end of ESPN's tenure? It is a total myth that ESPN will grow hockey, if didn't do it before and there's nothing in the ratings to suggest it would in the future.

PTI and Around the Horn almost never mentioned hockey, even when it was on that network, unless they wanted to make fun of it.

there's no hockey buzz like you said when poker gets better ratings than hockey after years of hockey coverage.

ESPN tried alot of things, it never worked for them. They gave the NHL a lowball offer that just pissed off the NHL execs after the lockout.

i realize that hockey on espn was getting poor ratings towards the end of its run but the game was soo boring at many times. the "new" nhl is a more different game that could jumpstart the sport again with shootouts and faster pace and all. just think of how hot nhl was in like 97 or 98, i remember seeing a sports illustrated cover saying NHL HOT, NBA NOT. now with a new game, and hopefully a schedual change sometime soon, and a good detroit colorado rivalry jumpstarted again(im praying) , i think the nhl will do better then it did in 04.

does anyone know if the nhl has the option of leaving versus and going back to espn, or are they locked in a contract with versus for a while?

[Icteria virens 11]

i realize that hockey on espn was getting poor ratings towards the end of its run but the game was soo boring at many times. the "new" nhl is a more different game that could jumpstart the sport again with shootouts and faster pace and all. just think of how hot nhl was in like 97 or 98, i remember seeing a sports illustrated cover saying NHL HOT, NBA NOT. now with a new game, and hopefully a schedual change sometime soon, and a good detroit colorado rivalry jumpstarted again(im praying) , i think the nhl will do better then it did in 04.

does anyone know if the nhl has the option of leaving versus and going back to espn, or are they locked in a contract with versus for a while?

the schedule change won't be happening

the colorado rivalry hasn't been anything since 5 years and too bad won't be coming back

if the NHL was HOT in 97 or 98 why did the ratings suffer with ESPN? Why didn't it get more popular?

I share your optimism for a game we like but I just don't think hockey has a broad market appeal, it's still a niche sport IMO and the network will not substantially change that, it hasn't in the past.

[WingMachine91 0]

the schedule change won't be happening

the colorado rivalry hasn't been anything since 5 years and too bad won't be coming back

if the NHL was HOT in 97 or 98 why did the ratings suffer with ESPN? Why didn't it get more popular?

I share your optimism for a game we like but I just don't think hockey has a broad market appeal, it's still a niche sport IMO and the network will not substantially change that, it hasn't in the past.

the ratings suffered with espn because towards the late 90s the game started becoming slower and more boring to casual fans, but now its diff so i hope we can get a shot on espn again, cause im very optamistic about a better showing, plus im sure anything is better then the crap ratings its getting on oln. and i hope, just hope that detroit meets colorado int he playoffs, cause who knows, thast what might add the edge to that rivalry again

[Icteria virens 11]

the ratings suffered with espn because towards the late 90s the game started becoming slower and more boring to casual fans, but now its diff so i hope we can get a shot on espn again, cause im very optamistic about a better showing, plus im sure anything is better then the crap ratings its getting on oln. and i hope, just hope that detroit meets colorado int he playoffs, cause who knows, thast what might add the edge to that rivalry again

it would be great for the Divealanche thing to flare up like a festering wound, that'd probably do more for ratings than any network or anouncing crew! That was passion not usually seen by sports fans. I believe the chippiness and fighting would actually grab more casual viewers too. Let's hope.

[betterREDthandead 58]

how long was hockey on ESPN? A decade and a half, 2 decades? How much did hockey grow if Arean Football was getting better ratings near the end of ESPN's tenure? It is a total myth that ESPN will grow hockey, if didn't do it before and there's nothing in the ratings to suggest it would in the future.

PTI and Around the Horn almost never mentioned hockey, even when it was on that network, unless they wanted to make fun of it.

there's no hockey buzz like you said when poker gets better ratings than hockey after years of hockey coverage.

ESPN tried alot of things, it never worked for them. They gave the NHL a lowball offer that just pissed off the NHL execs after the lockout.

A decade, if that. Certainly not 20 years. Hockey was never on national TV until Bettman - the previous leadership didn't believe in national TV.

I don't know what happened to hockey in between the lockout and the time when the NHL was seen as one of the hottest, fastest-growing leagues in the country. I do know two things: One, it's foolish to sit and be complacent with the notion that hockey is nothing but a niche sport. It'll stagnate and die off that way. Two, it will NOT grow if not regularly seen on a network that isn't even offered in every market in the country, let alone basic cable.

[stevie for president 42]

have any of you ever been home, looking for something to watch, and thought to yourself "Gee, i wonder what versus has on." my answer is no. i have, however, wondered what ESPN was showing. Sometimes its guys playing madden, but sometimes ill watch billiards or poker, because nothing else is on. I'm sure im not the only one.

P.S. the nhl's problems go beyond the network they are on. the schedule, parade to the sin bin, icing rules, goalie freezing the puck rules, diving, short shootout, overexpanded, diluted, puck over glass shouldnt be a penalty, there should be contact along the boards and in front of the net, fighting should come back, the all star game shouldnt go against idol, doc emerik or whatever has the most annoying voice, none of the commentators talk about something that has to do with the game, i disagree with many of the markets, i mean i can go all day. the nhl shouldnt be a niche sport if the guys in charge knew what the hell they were doing! how about lets have hockey fans in charge instead of lawyers.

[puckbags 863]

The ratings culprit is not the channel.

It's the fact that many viewers who would normally tune in to the All-Star game did not because of WHEN it was on, and more importantly, what else was on in competition with it.

A weekend event is better, but even a Friday night game--when there are no big-ticket events to compete with--would have drawn in more ratings.

I have to believe, also, that the ridiculous Youngstars game affected viewership as well.

My solution: An All-star tournament. One team from each division, seeded by total division record. All-Star week would be scheduled as such:

Monday:

6 p.m. EST: Game A; East #2 vs East #3

9 p.m. EST: Game B;West #2 vs West #3

Tuesday:

6 p.m. EST: NHL All-Star Skills Competition

Wednesday

6 p.m. EST: Game C; East #1 vs Winner A

9 p.m. EST: Game D; West #1 vs Winner B

Thursday:

Youngstars game...but a REAL game. None of this 7 forwards, 4-on-4, short periods crap. Make it a real game with full 12-6-2 rosters showcasing the league's young talent, and include players who have been named to the big boys team (No Crosby or Ovechkin in this year's game was a baaad move)

Friday

6 p.m. EST: Game E; Loser C vs Loser D

9 p.m. EST: Game F; Winner C vs Winner D

If we're having the All-Star game on a weekday, THAT is how it should be done. It gives people a team to root for, and no team doesn't have one of the 20 best players in the division.

Its a cool idea but the season is already too long and they play too many games as it is so I doubt that any owners or players would go for it!!

[WhiteLightning91 105]

Did any of you guys actually watch the game?

Im not surprised it got a 0.7 rating. It is soooooooooooooooooooooo boring. I don't get it. Even when it was on ESPN, the ASG is the most pointless thing the NHL does. Yea, there are a couple of cool looking goals, but there is absolutley ZERO action whatsoever going on. No one hits, which I understand, no one wants to get hurt, but why are people watching then? I fell asleep during the 2nd period of the game. Its pretty much a man-loving fest out there so why would anyone wanna tune in?

I don't care what network it is on; they have to do something to the ASG to make it worth watching. Getting to watch 20 goals scored in a game is not enough.

Edited January 29, 2007 by WhiteLightning91

[edicius 3,269]

If I remember correctly, even though ESPN's NHL ratings were low...they were at least double that of Versus. Kind of says something.