CBC livid as NHL bows to Americans

[toby91_ca 620]

If I were CBC, I'd be pissed too.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/sto...ertainment/home

[Wings_Dynasty 267]

'scuse me while I whip this out...

Edited April 10, 2007 by Wings_Dynasty

[Barrie 900]

I don't think showing Crosby on Saturday afternoon is a bad idea, it's a great way to sell the game.

CBC should be more upset Toronto or Montreal didn't take the 8th spot.

[Hockeytown Red Wings 245]

Well, I can understand their frustration. But the game needs more exposure in the US than Canada, and the NHL needs to market Sidney Crosby to the casual American fans.

I understand them being pissed, but the NHL knows the Canadian fans will be there no matter when the game is.

[arnoldbuck 0]

Well, CBC does have every right to be choked. They are paying a ton of money. But, the league is trying to advance popularity in the USA. My question, do afternoon games on NBC stand a shot in hell at getting that many fans though? What is NBC show on Saturday during Primetime?

[Hockeytown Red Wings 245]

The Pens game on NBC a few weekends got better ratings than the NBA game on ABC at the same time. So it may be working...

[StevieY9802 6]

I understands CBC's point but the league needs to grow everywhere. And people in canada will probably be watching with it being in the afternoon too.

[Wings_Dynasty 267]

I understands CBC's point but the league needs to grow everywhere. And people in canada will probably be watching with it being in the afternoon too.

BINGO

[Guest GodofHockeyStevieY19]

Of course they are gonna go with what NBC wants. They are doing everything they can to try to up the popularity of the NHL in the U.S. Obviously they dont have to worry about getting more Canadian viewers. Not to mention we have way more people in the U.S. than Canada does. So business-wise it makes complete sense. However, I do think that would be a much better saturday night game to showcase.

[puckbags 863]

This is such a joke. They have tried and tried and tried to promote the game in the states and it's not working!! CBC is the standard for televised hockey in North America, HNIC is a staple in millions of households on a Saturday night but they bow down to the american station and show the game on a Saturday afternoon!!! To make matters worse CBC has paid the 65 million to the NHL for rights and NBC doesn't pay a dime and they get the game!!

[Learn2LuvIt 252]

I don't think showing Crosby on Saturday afternoon is a bad idea, it's a great way to sell the game.

I would agree. However, to me, I'm not very concerned about "selling" my favorite sport to anyone. I know, I know, it's for the long-term preservation of our game, and some people don't get exposure to the game.....but if people don't like hockey, fine. I sometime feel, even among my friends who don't really watch hockey, that we are begging people to like and watch our game. My question is why? So we can be like the other major sports. The last thing I'd want for hockey is an over-saturated product in which our players perform dances (yes, on skates) after every single good play...vying to get there face on TV. I like that as a league, we are humble, if not by choice, then by popularity. Imagine Zetta after scoring a goal doing a two minute dance and then pulling a Sharpie out of his skate and signing the puck. Ridiculous.

I'm happy just the way we are....and I don't care if everyone else doesn't like hockey. I've always been extremely proud to be a fan of the NHL.

Go Wings

[Wings_Dynasty 267]

This is such a joke. They have tried and tried and tried to promote the game in the states and it's not working!! CBC is the standard for televised hockey in North America, HNIC is a staple in millions of households on a Saturday night but they bow down to the american station and show the game on a Saturday afternoon!!! To make matters worse CBC has paid the 65 million to the NHL for rights and NBC doesn't pay a dime and they get the game!!

The problem is that the CBC thinks they can dictate what games they get. They probably think that the 65M gets them every Crosby game under the sun. But guess what, Canada will watch it on NBC, America won't watch it on CBC.

[StevieY9802 6]

The problem is that the CBC thinks they can dictate what games they get. They probably think that the 65M gets them every Crosby game under the sun. But guess what, Canada will watch it on NBC, America won't watch it on CBC.

and the game will still be on cbc most likely. just in the afternoon. they are just pissed cause they wanted it at night.

[Guest GodofHockeyStevieY19]

The problem is that the CBC thinks they can dictate what games they get. They probably think that the 65M gets them every Crosby game under the sun. But guess what, Canada will watch it on NBC, America won't watch it on CBC.

Exactly.

[Icteria virens 11]

The problem is that the CBC thinks they can dictate what games they get. They probably think that the 65M gets them every Crosby game under the sun. But guess what, Canada will watch it on NBC, America won't watch it on CBC.

that's an EXCELLENT point, they have the ability to get US network channels on digital cable and we can't do the same.(ok, if I go to Windsor and buy a CDN sat.dish perhaps but you get the picture)

it's far more easy for them to get US television, my only chance of seeing HNIC is to get expensive NHL center ice.

I'm a little surprised the CBC didn't have some game picking as part of the rights contract.i.e. they get first choice of 7.00pm starts, second choice of 3.00pm starts whereby NBC might have first choice of 3.00pm starts etc. that's the way it works in Europe re: soccer t.v. rights.

[Matt 1,049]

This is such a joke. They have tried and tried and tried to promote the game in the states and it's not working!! CBC is the standard for televised hockey in North America, HNIC is a staple in millions of households on a Saturday night but they bow down to the american station and show the game on a Saturday afternoon!!! To make matters worse CBC has paid the 65 million to the NHL for rights and NBC doesn't pay a dime and they get the game!!

The NHL knows where the $$$ comes from. It may not be in this TV deal, but the NHL is dead without the US -- even with the lukewarm (if that) interest. The NHL has every right to choose what network broadcasts that game when it's intended for the long-term good of the league.

The CBC *has* its audience, NBC is trying to *build* one.

[Rikadyn 16]

i think real problem is that NBC isn't willing to do primetime hockey games, which they should, they should also show regular games on a weekday in primetime, instead of relagating them to VS.

[eva unit zero 271]

Hmm...NBC is broadcasting to a much larger national audience.

Both networks are concerned with what would best fit their ratings.

Seems like going with the afternoon game is better for the league's revenue, popularity, and future.

[puckbags 863]

They probably think that the 65M gets them every Crosby game under the sun.

And so it should. 99% of the time in this world the mighty dollar speaks. Being from the states you should know this!! I guess the lowly CBC's money is no good to the NHL. I would think that the combonation of the 65 million and the fact they have the biggest viewership per capita for hockey would be good enough to give them the majority of the say on what games they want to show and when!! Obviously the CBC would love to show as many Crosby games as possible but I think this is more about loyalty to the Canadian team. Canadian viewers would much rather watch the Senators in primetime on HNIC then in the afternoon on NBC. I guess my final comment is what does the NBC have againts playing games in primetime? If they really want the fans why not show the game in primetime. I guess they would have to bump one of their 43 reality shows or s***ty comedies . This is the NHL no the NFL...we play games at night not in the afternoon!!

Edited April 10, 2007 by puckbags

[Guest GodofHockeyStevieY19]

Canadian viewers would much rather watch the Senators in primetime on HNIC then in the afternoon on NBC.

Are you not getting it yet? The NHL doesnt care what Canadian viewers would rather watch. Because they know Canadians will still stay loyal, and watch it whenever its aired. This is about expanding interest in America. And to the NHL , thats what matters. And from a business standpoint, I completely agree.

[StevieY9802 6]

why does everyone think cause its on NBC that it won't still be on CBC in canada. It will be.

http://www.nhl.com/nhl/app?service=page&page=Schedule

once again CBC is just pissed cause they wanted primetime not the afternoon.

[TheLegend19 1]

Actually, I see where they're coming from. Why should HNIC have to air the New Jersey vs. Lightning series? That's not fair at all. Without HNIC, the NHL would be nothing in Canada.

[Wings_Dynasty 267]

Are you not getting it yet? The NHL doesnt care what Canadian viewers would rather watch. Because they know Canadians will still stay loyal, and watch it whenever its aired. This is about expanding interest in America. And to the NHL , thats what matters. And from a business standpoint, I completely agree.

Pittsburgh population: roughly 2.3 million

Ottawa population: roughly 900 thousand

The mere possibility of a 25% share of the local market in Pittsburgh is enough for the NHL to go with NBC over CBC. Plus, Canadians don't care what channel it's on, they only want the HNIC crew. The game is not the point of argument, it's when it is on. The CBC wants ratings and so does NBC, but NBC ratings are better for the NHL.

Edited April 10, 2007 by Wings_Dynasty

[arnoldbuck 0]

^^^ You guys are right. I live in Canada, and if I want to see it, I will turn on NBC. I know some ppl are making the arguement that its turning its back on Canadians, but that isn't that base for the arguement. It is that CBC is paying Huge dollars for the rights and isn't getting what it payed for. Atleast there should be some form of compinsation for this.

[Icteria virens 11]

Canadian viewers would much rather watch the Senators in primetime on HNIC then in the afternoon on NBC.

that's just the point, at least you have the option of seeing a game on NBC, Americans don't reg. get the CBC, plus the game WILL be broadcast on CBC in the afternoon.