Big Surprise on Versus Tonight

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

Guess which teams are playing on Versus tonight? Give up yet?

It's going to be Rangers vs. Penguins.

Seriously, this crap needs to stop it's always those 2 teams plus the Flyers playing against each other for televised games in a three ring circus. Aren't there any other teams in the league?

I'd love to see Montreal, Ottawa, New Jersey, or the Flames, Canucks, hell even the Ducks that won the Cup last year never get any airtime when they play on the east coast.

I'm just annoyed at seeing these same 3 teams playing each other every other week on Versus. A little more originality would be nice for a change, especially when they played each other yesterday on NBC.

[puckloo39 5,686]

NHL on Versus

somewhere in the back of my mind, I was thinking that Versus was aligned with MSG Network, but that's wrong. Don't know why I thought that. But in this wiki article is the "reason" you see Ranger and Pens, for example, in preference to West Coast teams.

The selection of teams for The NHL on Versus is somewhat more diverse (possibly due to there being more game slots to air) than its broadcast partner, NBC. Because of inordinately high ratings in the Buffalo, New York and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania markets, Versus has made note to air a significant number of games featuring the Buffalo Sabres and Pittsburgh Penguins. The New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers, Detroit Red Wings, and Boston Bruins also get selected regularly, frequently at or near the maximum of nine appearances per team during the regular season.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

Versus had that game scheduled to be shown at the beginning of the season. NBC decided to play the Pens/Rags games recently, so I'd think you'd be more upset with them.

I know you know this, but a network is going to show the games that net them the most money. It may be annoying to you and I but they're going to do whats in the best interest of their network. If you don't like it, subscribe to CI and you can watch any game you want.

[puckloo39 5,686]

If you don't like it, subscribe to CI and you can watch any game you want.

sort of.

[JayUp88 1]

Well good thing I enjoy the Rangers and the Pens.

[stevie for president 42]

its better than hockey night in canada which plays the maple leafs game EVERY SINGLE SATURDAY!!!

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

sort of.

Don't even get me started on the NHLN.

[Zion 93]

its better than hockey night in canada which plays the maple leafs game EVERY SINGLE SATURDAY!!!

This post is a joke, right? I'm supposed to laugh at this, right?

[Reilly 24]

I'll take the Penguins vs. Whoever every week thank you very much.

[McCartyFanForLife 17]

I thought the surprise was going to be that they were not going to cover hockey anymore. :-(

Now I'm disappointed. Oh well, eventually I hope Versus gives up and lets ESPN have it back.

[hallelujahlogic 1]

well. the best way to drop the "inordinately high ratings" is to show the games on versus.

doc emrick exclaiming "BIG DRIVE!" 9000 times a night is enough to make me switch to ken kal/paul woods anytime the wings're unfortunate enough to be on vs. i'm jealous of the rest of the western conference fans for not being popular enough to have to be subjected to that so frequently.

god i freakin hate vs.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

I thought the surprise was going to be that they were not going to cover hockey anymore. :-(

Now I'm disappointed. Oh well, eventually I hope Versus gives up and lets ESPN have it back.

Does anyone here know what the ratings were on OLN/Versus before the NHL signed with them versus (no pun intended) what they are now? I'd be willing to bet Versus would do what it takes to keep the NHL on their network simply due to what I would think was a pretty decent revenue increase following the agreement.

[zombiewing 3]

Guess which teams are playing on Versus tonight? Give up yet?

It's going to be Rangers vs. Penguins.

Seriously, this crap needs to stop it's always those 2 teams plus the Flyers playing against each other for televised games in a three ring circus. Aren't there any other teams in the league?

I'd love to see Montreal, Ottawa, New Jersey, or the Flames, Canucks, hell even the Ducks that won the Cup last year never get any airtime when they play on the east coast.

I'm just annoyed at seeing these same 3 teams playing each other every other week on Versus. A little more originality would be nice for a change, especially when they played each other yesterday on NBC.

I am so glad my provider is Sopcast.

[2probert4 8]

I thought the surprise was going to be that they were not going to cover hockey anymore. :-(

Now I'm disappointed. Oh well, eventually I hope Versus gives up and lets ESPN have it back.

I was hoping it was highlights of all the times Tootoo has been beaten up.

[McCartyFanForLife 17]

I was hoping it was highlights of all the times Tootoo has been beaten up.

Ah yes, that would have been my 2nd choice. I wanted Downey to knock him unconscious during the game yesterday. Little eskimo pisses me off.

[redwings56 1]

Being in the east coast living in Ottawa, I am really involved in what the Rangers and Pens are doing, and Emerick is great! So what Versus has done is great, I love watching Wings games on VS. (I get a much for UNBIASED opinion as to how the Wings are playing) --- ofcouse I would much rather have ESPN give an offer and take over, but that isn't going to happen too soon. Just enjoy the fact that Hockey is being shown in America.

[pjgj13 30]

Reminds me of when ESPN showed hockey and nearly every other week they showed the Mario & Jaromir show. I got sick of seeing the Pens on TV each and every week.

[vangvace 12]

Does anyone here know what the ratings were on OLN/Versus before the NHL signed with them versus (no pun intended) what they are now? I'd be willing to bet Versus would do what it takes to keep the NHL on their network simply due to what I would think was a pretty decent revenue increase following the agreement.

NFM,

Here's a start to begin chewing over. KK link

NHL’s television partner has released some of their ratings today, showing growth in viewership over last season. As of January 22, 2008:

national household ratings up 50%

total viewership up 36%

Additionally, the NHL All Star Game was the #1 rated NHL telecast for Versus ever, aside from post-season play.

[OsGOD 3]

well. the best way to drop the "inordinately high ratings" is to show the games on versus.

doc emrick exclaiming "BIG DRIVE!" 9000 times a night is enough to make me switch to ken kal/paul woods anytime the wings're unfortunate enough to be on vs. i'm jealous of the rest of the western conference fans for not being popular enough to have to be subjected to that so frequently.

god i freakin hate vs.

My ears bleed hearing the word "doc" every other effing min

[WhiteLightning91 105]

Wow. Some of you people really need to take a class in Economics of a Capitalistic Society.

THE NHL IS A BUSINESS FIRST AND FOREMOST!!!

They don't care what YOU want to see. They care about the GENERAL AUDIENCE.

You think tickets are expensive now. Imagine what they would be if you guys had your way where there were no corporate sponsors on the boards, none of the arenas had a corporate name, and all the teams got equal amounts of airtime on national broadcasts. The NHL would be dead!

Penguins vs. Rangers = Relatively good ratings

Got it?

Edited March 31, 2008 by WhiteLightning91

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

NFM,

Here's a start to begin chewing over. KK link

Thanks V. I didn't feel like looking it up, but I assumed exactly what your link confirmed.

Not directed toward you, but now why would Versus "give up the NHL" to ESPN? They'll probably do whatever it takes to keep them, where as ESPN would play the bow down to us card if the league were working something out. It's the whole theory of "one woman's trash is another woman's treasure."

[McCartyFanForLife 17]

Wow. Some of you people really need to take a class in Economics of a Capitalistic Society.

THE NHL IS A BUSINESS FIRST AND FOREMOST!!!

They don't care what YOU want to see. They care about the GENERAL AUDIENCE.

You think tickets are expensive now. Imagine what they would be if you guys had your way where there were no corporate sponsors on the boards, none of the arenas had a corporate name, and all the teams got equal amounts of airtime on national broadcasts. The NHL would be dead!

Penguins vs. Rangers = Relatively good ratings

Got it?

I don't remember anyone saying there shouldn't be sponsors on the boards or that arenas shouldn't have a corporate name. Imagine if the Wings got a new arena: GoDaddy! Arena. Oh the possibilities

[McCartyFanForLife 17]

Thanks V. I didn't feel like looking it up, but I assumed exactly what your link confirmed.

Not directed toward you, but now why would Versus "give up the NHL" to ESPN? They'll probably do whatever it takes to keep them, where as ESPN would play the bow down to us card if the league were working something out. It's the whole theory of "one woman's trash is another woman's treasure."

I just don't like Versus because hockey is only on when a hockey game is on or some commentary. Unlike ESPN, they don't have the Versus News network. When ESPN had the NHL you could switch to that and see highlights of games that night or the next day. The only time I see highlights now is when Versus does their Top 10 or I watch them online. Versus is not a complete sports network.

[C-TownWing 0]

I just don't like Versus because hockey is only on when a hockey game is on or some commentary. Unlike ESPN, they don't have the Versus News network. When ESPN had the NHL you could switch to that and see highlights of games that night or the next day. The only time I see highlights now is when Versus does their Top 10 or I watch them online. Versus is not a complete sports network.

Bettman likes to say that he likes Versus because the NHL is their centerpiece, where on ESPN, they'd be lost on the shuffle. Ever flip on Versus, other than during their 10-13 hrs./week of hockey programming? Seems to me that guys who like shooting stuff is their centerpiece.

As a Red Wings fan, I have a little trouble complaining about teams getting a lot of national telecasts with a straight face. Although I am pretty sick of the Rangers/Penguins/Flyers/Sabres thing as well.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

I just don't like Versus because hockey is only on when a hockey game is on or some commentary. Unlike ESPN, they don't have the Versus News network. When ESPN had the NHL you could switch to that and see highlights of games that night or the next day. The only time I see highlights now is when Versus does their Top 10 or I watch them online. Versus is not a complete sports network.

What does that have to do with Versus not wanting to give up the NHL to ESPN?

Would it be great if Versus became a more complete sports network which had its own version of Sportscenter: Of course. However, that's not a reason as to why Versus would "give up" the NHL to ESPN.