Sounds like more Versus/NBC for the next few years

[CenterIce 83]

https://twitter.com/#!/wyshynski

Greg Wyshynski

wyshynski Greg Wyshynski

NHL announces conference call with Gary Bettman and Dick Ebersol of NBC for 1 p.m. "Major Announcement."

8 minutes ago

John Ourand

Ourand_SBJ John Ourand

by wyshynski

I'm being told that NBC/Versus has won the NHL's media rights. SBD's Morning Buzz will have the full report in 10 minutes.

15 minutes ago[/Quote]

[Konnan511 1,736]

Well, whoever pays the most, gets the right. It's simple business.

Cue the f*** Bettman, now.

[cusimano_brothers 1,655]

Will the season still start on New Year's Day?

[CenterIce 83]

https://twitter.com/#!/TheFourthPeriod

TheFourthPeriod David Pagnotta

Wow! RT @ericfrancis NBC/Versus gets NHL rights for an NHL-record $200M a year (Versus currently pays just under $80 mil). ESPN shut out

1 minute ago[/Quote]

[Guest Shoreline]

Thank Spaghetti Monster I'm in Canada.

[vladdy16 2,154]

Yay for the revenue, booo for the announcers.

[CenterIce 83]

https://twitter.com/#!/wyshynski

wyshynski Greg Wyshynski

From a solid media source: NBC/NHL is a 10-year deal.

11 minutes ago[/Quote]

Edited April 19, 2011 by CenterIce

[greenrebellion 415]

Hire Bill Clement!

[Guest Howard He Do It?!]

10 more years of Versus and NBC? I know that the NHL has sustained growth since the lockout but that growth is going to stagnate. ESPN provides national exposure and has the ability to shove hockey down the throats of a lot of people. There is a reason that ESPN can demand one of the highest carrier fees in the industry. The NHL is sacrificing long term growth for short term profits. And you know NBC doesn't care about hockey. When games 3 and 4 of your premier series is relegated to a cable station then you know you have problems.

[syntax 359]

Yay for the revenue, booo for the announcers.

Pretty much sums this up perfectly.

[Nic 59]

Pretty much sums this up perfectly.

I'm with both of you. ughhhhhh

[MTU_Huskies963 398]

10 more years of Versus and NBC? I know that the NHL has sustained growth since the lockout but that growth is going to stagnate. ESPN provides national exposure and has the ability to shove hockey down the throats of a lot of people. There is a reason that ESPN can demand one of the highest carrier fees in the industry. The NHL is sacrificing long term growth for short term profits. And you know NBC doesn't care about hockey. When games 3 and 4 of your premier series is relegated to a cable station then you know you have problems.

This is what I have been thinking for a while. Yeah VS/NBC brings more money to the table, but the exposure ESPN provides would be a huge boost. Even if they are on ESPN 2, which I think was the original idea.

[Cicada 4]

This is what I have been thinking for a while. Yeah VS/NBC brings more money to the table, but the exposure ESPN provides would be a huge boost. Even if they are on ESPN 2, which I think was the original idea.

but with VS rebranding as NBC Sports, it does ask some intersting questions of where the channel is going, and the NHL will be at the forefront of it...

i this deal is good for the nhl

[Doc Holliday 1,888]

10 more years of Versus and NBC? I know that the NHL has sustained growth since the lockout but that growth is going to stagnate. ESPN provides national exposure and has the ability to shove hockey down the throats of a lot of people. There is a reason that ESPN can demand one of the highest carrier fees in the industry. The NHL is sacrificing long term growth for short term profits. And you know NBC doesn't care about hockey. When games 3 and 4 of your premier series is relegated to a cable station then you know you have problems.

ESPN wouldn't shove the NHL down the throats of anyone.

You have to follow the money with the way ESPN treated the NHL when it was on. They simply do not give hockey enough attention to warrant such a substantial difference in a contract offer.

Hire Gary Thorne to NBC, and I guarantee you half of the criticisms of this deal would go away.

[vladdy16 2,154]

ESPN wouldn't shove the NHL down the throats of anyone.

You have to follow the money with the way ESPN treated the NHL when it was on. They simply do not give hockey enough attention to warrant such a substantial difference in a contract offer.

Exactly. The NHL was the red-headed stepchild on ESPN and verbally abused at every opportunity. This coupled with the fact that VS has slowly gotten better (minus the commentators) makes this a damn decent deal.

[Robby2419 7]

ugh. thankfully i can keep turning on the radio and muting the volume on the TV.

[MidMichSteve 1,115]

Your sig lacks a 3.

[Din758 371]

Hire Gary Thorne to NBC, and I guarantee you half of the criticisms of this deal would go away.

This

[HankthaTank 1,100]

Hire Gary Thorne to NBC, and I guarantee you half of the criticisms of this deal would go away.

Bingo

It really might be just as simple as this too. Isn't he the Orioles announcer or something, though?

[grwingfan 21]

ESPN wouldn't shove the NHL down the throats of anyone.

You have to follow the money with the way ESPN treated the NHL when it was on. They simply do not give hockey enough attention to warrant such a substantial difference in a contract offer.

Hire Gary Thorne to NBC, and I guarantee you half of the criticisms of this deal would go away.

I would love to see Gary Thorne do Hockey again!!!!

[drumnj 459]

Putting Gary Thorne in and getting rid of Peee-airhead for NBC would please hockey fans all over the world by tenfold. Losing Milbury and Mr. "Tremendously tremendous" would be icing on the cake.

Losing their current line-up would make NBC more respectable, and make up for the networks other shortcomings. At least Versus finally started switching up announcers with other teams' play by play voice (like Kenny )

http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2011/04/19/Media/NHL-Turner.aspx

The deal will see NBC and Versus carry all Stanley Cup playoff games nationally, with the conference semis appearing exclusively on the two nets. It also will see NBC and Versus televise 100 regular-season games, including a new Thanksgiving Friday telecast on NBC. The agreement includes all digital rights for the games NBC and Versus televise. NBC has committed to a national "Game of the Week" and Winter Classic, and Versus will televise a national "Game of the Week," plus the All-Star Game, NHL Premiere Games, NHL Faceoff and any future NHL Heritage Classic games in Canada. NBC and Versus will continue to share the rights to the Stanley Cup Final. As part of the deal, NBC Sports Group agreed to build a new studio for NHL Network in Stamford, Conn. The deal also includes targeted promotions across the Comcast/NBCUniversal TV and digital assets.

Many execs inside the NHL favored ESPN, believing a deal with the network would guarantee more coverage on popular shows like "SportsCenter." But NBC and Versus determined that the package was too important for Versus to lose.

Edited April 19, 2011 by drumnj

[Mabuhay Red Wings 177]

I had no idea Joe Beninati "got fired" by Versus or whoever owns what. I was wondering why I hadn't heard him on a Versus game in a while. They apparently wanted to bring in more well known TV people or whatever. Enter Darren Pang, Ken Daniels and a few others I can't remember. Even though he is the announcer for the Red Wings, Ken Daniels is not someone I consider to be "more well known" or whatever the new system is there in Versus/NBC/Comcast/Whoever.

[DatsMyWings13 4]

I'm fine with Versus/NBC. I find myself watching ESPN less and less every year. When I want hockey highlights I go to the NHL network, likewise for the NFL. With the different leagues having their own channels ESPN becomes less relevant all the time.

Congrats to the NHL for getting a more lucrative TV deal.

[R-Dizzle 119]

I want Gary Thorne!

[Lovin Jiri Fischer 147]

Didn't see this posted yet.

Article

Sorry I did not see this earlier

Edited April 19, 2011 by Lovin Jiri Fischer