NHL and NBC extend contract

[Viperar 16]

http://www.nhl.com/nhl/app?articleid=29822...mp;service=page

Discuss

[ElCapitan 14]

I disagree with the second part of the first sentence.

[HenrikRules40 14]

I disagree with the second part of the first sentence.

Pfft right?

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

I'm thrilled that the NHL and NBC extended their contract, and will play what looks like a lot more games next season (all of which will be in HD ). Here's the thing that worries me about flexible scheduling:

The new pact contains several new features, such as flexible scheduling that will allow viewers to receive the biggest games featuring the biggest stars on the ice. The NHL and NBC will pick from three slotted games each week and one will be the featured "Game of the Week," while the other two will air on their local carrier.

You know that a matchup of the Penguins vs. Philly right now would be considered the game of the week over a DET/NSH game. I greatly worry that the league will choose Crosby and Philly's marketability vs. Detroit's marketability (sorry Nashville fans, but its true), even though Nashville and Detroit would be much more entertaining and exciting.

Let's just hope the league puts preference on the biggest game over the biggest stars.

Edit: Clarity

Edited March 27, 2007 by Never Forget Mac #25

[Jwo 7]

I would like more games on NBC and less on VS.

[CrossCheck24 2]

More hockey = YAY

[Icteria virens 11]

I would like more games on NBC and less on VS.

I"m wondering why they couldn't show some games on USA network, which they own, kind of like they did during the Olympics? This would make if more accessable to more ppl in the US.

Good that they'll have hockey on all season instead of just after the NFL season.

[Viperar 16]

as long as they keep pushing hockey into regular tv time...its fantastic

[sibiriak 84]

I"m wondering why they couldn't show some games on USA network, which they own, kind of like they did during the Olympics? This would make if more accessable to more ppl in the US.

Good that they'll have hockey on all season instead of just after the NFL season.

Same reason they show only few games a year, the ratings are too low. We are lucky they showany hockey at all.

[Icteria virens 11]

Same reason they show only few games a year, the ratings are too low. We are lucky they showany hockey at all.

at least they are showing more hockey next year (just trying to be positive)

I think part of the reason they've extended is b/c it's a good deal for NBC, they didn't pay for rights like a broadcaster traditionally would , the deal was contingent on NBC making a profit and meeting certain economic goals, there was basically no risk for NBC but then again the league was kind of desperate.

[TheLegend19 1]

This is better than it being on Versus.

And I agree completely with NFM25. They have to present the biggest game over the biggest stars. If they do this, people may begin to enjoy hockey a little bit more.

[Mickeyisms Rule! 0]

Oh great. More games with the players' names being mispronounced, players like Kronwall being called Lidstrom, and more favoritism showed to East Coast teams for game scheduling.

I really thought that Fox did a better job with their hockey broadcasting in the late 90's than NBC is doing now.

By the way... I'm new here

[BuckeyeWingsfan80 209]

I know it's way too logical for the NHL to do this, but why NOT have a regionalization type TV scheme?

Sure if you have Sydney Crosby against Ilya Kovalchuk playing you'll want to show that game to most people, but that means those other two slotted games (say Detroit/Nashville and Anaheim/Calgary) won't get shown on TV at all.

It happened this year in Ohio. They ended up showing Pittsburgh and someone (might've been NYR), but since Columbus was playing Colorado and it wasn't selected to be shown, no one had TV to the game at all, not even local market.

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

I know it's way too logical for the NHL to do this, but why NOT have a regionalization type TV scheme?

Sure if you have Sydney Crosby against Ilya Kovalchuk playing you'll want to show that game to most people, but that means those other two slotted games (say Detroit/Nashville and Anaheim/Calgary) won't get shown on TV at all.

It happened this year in Ohio. They ended up showing Pittsburgh and someone (might've been NYR), but since Columbus was playing Colorado and it wasn't selected to be shown, no one had TV to the game at all, not even local market.

Not trying to sound like a smart-ass to you or maybe I'm being naive on this scenario, but aren't you laying out what the FSN network pretty much does (i.e. FSN Detroit, Ohio, South, Southwest, Bay Area, etc.)

Edited March 28, 2007 by SouthernWingsFan

[poxer 0]

More hockey = YAY

I so agree with you. Who cares if they market 1 or 2 players? You can still watch it on you're local station. I think its great, something this league needs to get back into the mainstream.

[auxlepli 17]

I really liked NBC's coverage Sunday of the Rangers - Isles game.

Play by play guy was decent as well as the color commentator.

Granted it wasn't Thorne or Clement, but it was still really good IMO.