dirac 0 Report post Posted January 23, 2008 I am not sure what the appeal of ESPN is...the NHL was never an ESPN product, it was relegated to ESPN2 most of the time. For VS, the NHL is their only real sport and the broadcasts are pretty good. I am not a fan of the announcers but I was not a fan on ESPN either. I think I just got sick of when ESPN2 did have hockey and then would mock the sport in ESPN Magazine. I guess I am lucky, we get VS and the NHL network. Between those 2, ESPN's offices could burn to the ground and I do not think I would notice. I think we get it because we have the HD package but how can one watch hockey in non-HD? I think I have gotten spoiled. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
puckloo39 5,686 Report post Posted January 23, 2008 I have heard that there are some cable and satellite packages that VS is in the lower package, but the buggers I'm getting mine from only have it in the Top 250 package, so I have to pay even more to get it. However, I am glad that you get it with yours, I can't imagine being a Wings fan out of state, and not getting to watch the games regularly. I'm glad that you get them, and that VS is in your package. The packages differ all over the place depending on the service and vendor, I think. Here in Austin with Time Warner, you have to have digital cable to get Versus (and of course, to get Center Ice). ESPN is available on analog cable, for a third the price. The way technologies are being deployed, I suspect the lower tech offering (analog) will go away soon. I am more peeved over the NHL Network pirating games I paid for full-price on Center Ice this season, but now don't get to see. Time Warner Austin does not offer, or apparently ever intend to add NHLN to the digital channels (for MORE money). So, we simply get ripped off here, don't we guys? Center Ice is OK since it's the only way to get Red Wings games here, though it's too expensive when coupled with the digital cable fee for a lot of people. We don't get to control which feed we get, sadly. It's only Detroit FSN about half the time. Sometimes I listen to NHL radio and watch Center Ice, if the announcers are homer-ish enough on the feed I get. You do what you have to do, as a fan of the New NHL. Again, I think it's just odd that the NHL seems to me to be trying to make it harder to see hockey, not making it more fan-friendly. My friends who are non-hockey fans think I am insane, with all the money and trouble I go to, just to watch a sport I love. Can't imagine that a casual fan would ever see a game, as complicated as they've made it here to access hockey on TV. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Turkey 0 Report post Posted January 23, 2008 I have no problem with Versus. I'd much rather see the NHL on Versus and ESPN, NBC, etc but if this is what I can get (along with the awesome CBC) then that's what I'll take. Let's face it folks, we follow a niche sport here in the USA. People would rather watch a race car drive really fast in a circle and maybe blow up. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
auxlepli 17 Report post Posted January 23, 2008 Versus' coverage is fine in my opinion. Just wish they'd show more games, instead of just Mondays and Tuesdays. What this extension means to me though is either - both parties are fine as things are and both are making money, or no other network is interested in the NHL. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
union drone 0 Report post Posted January 23, 2008 I would rather watch Versus than ESPN. Why? Because ESPN ignored and made fun of hockey when they had it. The NHL is better off not condoning that treatment of its product. And for those who are saying 'Bettman is trying to kill the league by not being on ESPN' who do you think got the NHL on ESPN in the first place? Bettman was hailed as a genius in the early 90s when he basically robbed ESPN for a huge deal to broadcast the NHL. If that hadn't happened, we'd all probably be happy to see the league getting the kind of exposure Versus offers. Oh, and BTW...Versus stole Brian Engblom and Bill Clement from ESPN...so it's not like they have worse analysts than ESPN did given that they have THE SAME ANALYSTS. Except minus Barry 'The Goat' Melrose. When Bettman was "hailed as a genius in the early 90s when he basically robbed ESPN for a huge deal to broadcast the NHL", it was rightly so. The early 90s was when hockey was considered to be a bona-fide top four sport in the U.S., and ranked above the NBA in many camps (and not necessarily hockey camps) and had the popularity to prove it. ESPN helped establish the visibility and mainstream success of the sport. The majority of things that Bettman has done since have worked against the success of the NHL. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lidsyukerberg 0 Report post Posted January 23, 2008 We shall say 'ni' to you again if you do not appease us! We want ... a shrubbery! You must return here with a shrubbery or else ... you shall not pass through this wood alive! One that looks nice. And not too expensive. Sorry, has absolutely nothing to do with the topic, but this is my favorite movie ever. I love your sig. And now back to our regularly scheduled programming. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
puckloo39 5,686 Report post Posted January 23, 2008 We want ... a shrubbery! You must return here with a shrubbery or else ... you shall not pass through this wood alive! One that looks nice. And not too expensive. Sorry, has absolutely nothing to do with the topic, but this is my favorite movie ever. I love your sig. And now back to our regularly scheduled programming. it's fans like you... who give me hope that hockey might survive. No more hockey on TV? Run away, Run away!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DEVILSWATERBOY 10 Report post Posted January 23, 2008 I don't really care for Versus,with the Wings I believe that there was only 8 games on Versus this year so it really doesn't matter to me, but here is a thought why not FSN( Fox Sports Network ) if I remember correctly they have affilates in most of the major markets. Just a thought. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spinner 6 Report post Posted January 23, 2008 I don't mind VS, I'm just annoyed with the guy yelling "DRIVE" or is that on HD.net. I get confused. Guess I'm just spoiled with Ken and Mickey - 2 of the best in the business. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jwo 7 Report post Posted January 23, 2008 I have no problem with Versus. I'd much rather see the NHL on Versus and ESPN, NBC, etc but if this is what I can get (along with the awesome CBC) then that's what I'll take. Let's face it folks, we follow a niche sport here in the USA. People would rather watch a race car drive really fast in a circle and maybe blow up. Let's not forget that race car driving in circle's was a niche sport 8-10 years ago. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rage 24 Report post Posted January 23, 2008 (edited) So nice to hear that Pittsburgh Penguins have extended their contract with VS for 3 more years! ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ Music to my ears!!♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ Edited January 23, 2008 by rage Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Turkey 0 Report post Posted January 23, 2008 Let's not forget that race car driving in circle's was a niche sport 8-10 years ago. Alas, Driving in Circles is a sport on the rise these days in the US. Hockey has at best plateaued and at worst gone into decline. I try not to think about it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
