[ThePundit]

Wow. In all US TV markets except Buffalo, NBC left the middle of the Sabres- Senators game for PRE-Preakness coverage - 1 1/2 hours before the actual race. If you wanted to see the end of the game, you had to go to VERSUS.

But hockey is like Arena football when it comes to national interest. Actually, I think the XFL repeats might draw better rating than the NHL.

[EmpireWF]

At least the XFL was something new

ABC must be kicking themselves since they have the Belmont w/ no Triple Crown in the wings.

[azrael492]

I didn't even know that the NHL was on TV. I have never seen it on around here.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Maybe the networks are half of the problem...how can you half way commit to a playoff game?...poop or get off the potty...cover the whole game or give up on the idea of a hockey television package.

[azrael492]

I think that is most of the reason I have never gotten into hockey. I really never get to see it. I used to get to see a few games when it was on ESPN, but I don't even have a favorite team.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by azrael492

I think that is most of the reason I have never gotten into hockey. I really never get to see it. I used to get to see a few games when it was on ESPN, but I don't even have a favorite team.

It has always been packaged wrong...and the flow of the game doesn't lend kindly to TV timeouts...

[chilltown]

Originally Posted by Gotham Dark Knight

It has always been packaged wrong...and the flow of the game doesn't lend kindly to TV timeouts...

As much disdain I have for Rupert Murdoch, FOX tried to broaden the appeal of the NHL in the late 90's with the computer enhanced puck. In fact the Philly/Detroit playoff series was the highest rated in the last 15 years. People in the US were talking puck (at least the glowing thing around the puck)


Did NBC cut away from the BUF/OTT game because there are no commercials in overtime?

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by chilltown

As much disdain I have for Rupert Murdoch, FOX tried to broaden the appeal of the NHL in the late 90's with the computer enhanced puck. In fact the Philly/Detroit playoff series was the highest rated in the last 15 years. People in the US were talking puck (at least the glowing thing around the puck)


Did NBC cut away from the BUF/OTT game because there are no commercials in overtime?

One man's monster is another man's hero...go figure...

I think that is the problem right there...it's always been "lets see what gimmick can sell this", instead of finding the right market for it...

[EmpireWF]

Originally Posted by chilltown

As much disdain I have for Rupert Murdoch, FOX tried to broaden the appeal of the NHL in the late 90's with the computer enhanced puck. In fact the Philly/Detroit playoff series was the highest rated in the last 15 years. People in the US were talking puck (at least the glowing thing around the puck)


Did NBC cut away from the BUF/OTT game because there are no commercials in overtime?

I remember the glowing thing and although it's stupid, it wasn't as bad as most people make it out IMO.

NBC cut away because they felt they would get a bigger audience with the horse pre-race show than NHL playoff overtime...and they were right. That's the sad part.

[MJHMarc]

Originally Posted by ThePundit

Wow. In all US TV markets except Buffalo, NBC left the middle of the Sabres- Senators game for PRE-Preakness coverage - 1 1/2 hours before the actual race. If you wanted to see the end of the game, you had to go to VERSUS.

But hockey is like Arena football when it comes to national interest. Actually, I think the XFL repeats might draw better rating than the NHL.

Indication: NHL is going down-hill.

[ThePundit]

Originally Posted by Gotham Dark Knight

Maybe the networks are half of the problem...how can you half way commit to a playoff game?...poop or get off the potty...cover the whole game or give up on the idea of a hockey television package.

Totally agreed. Bettman was on Mike and the Dog Yesterday. Boy, is he the kings of Spin. If BS were music, he'd be a brass band:
WFAN - The Fan - Mike and the Mad Dog

[Lefty Noob]

The NHL game netted a 1.6 rating. The Preakness was a 5.4. Not to mention that NBC was contractually obligated to go to the racing coverage. It's the NHL's fault, not the networks, for accepting a crap deal that can allow stations to drop coverage anytime and that buries their game on a third-rate, end of the lineup cable channel. The network did what was in their own best interest, so I can't fault them whatsoever.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

The NHL game netted a 1.6 rating. The Preakness was a 5.4. Not to mention that NBC was contractually obligated to go to the racing coverage. It's the NHL's fault, not the networks, for accepting a crap deal that can allow stations to drop coverage anytime and that buries their game on a third-rate, end of the lineup cable channel. The network did what was in their own best interest, so I can't fault them whatsoever.

What does that have to do with thier inability to properly makret the game for an audience?...They treat it like a "filler" of air time...and it will remain so until someone figures they have a "franchise hit"...

[MJHMarc]

Originally Posted by Gotham Dark Knight

What does that have to do with thier inability to properly makret the game for an audience?...They treat it like a "filler" of air time...and it will remain so until someone figures they have a "franchise hit"...

Two words:

Nobody cares.

If people don't want a product, you can't force them.

[bears9]

im mad about this is the first time ive watched hockey all year and NBC blows it off at the last second im just ticked