[Lefty Noob]

The NHL has extended their deal with the Versus network by three years. Bad news for all of us hoping for the return of hockey to ESPN.

NHL, Versus extend TV contract by 3 years - NHL - Yahoo! Sports

[Phils20]

Bad news indeed. I'm glad I got the NHL netework when I got the NFL network. At least I get to see a bit more hockey that way!

[azrael492]

Is verses part of Time Warner. I haven't seen a hockey game since they left ESPN.

[bears9]

Sorry Hockey Fans, if you want to be popular you have to get back to ESPN, but hey at least you got NBC on the weekend now

[Seahawker 562]

I love sunday night hockey in HD. nothing better (except football of course)

[ThePundit]

On my cable system, versus is the 400's. Only someone that is absolutely looking for the game will find it. In other words, there is no chance for casual viewers. Then the NHL will wonder why the Roller Derby draws more viewers.

[Lefty Noob]

Originally Posted by ThePundit

On my cable system, versus is the 400's. Only someone that is absolutely looking for the game will find it. In other words, there is no chance for casual viewers. Then the NHL will wonder why the Roller Derby draws more viewers.

Yep... three more years of basically no American audience. Hooray?

[bears9]

Originally Posted by ThePundit

On my cable system, versus is the 400's. Only someone that is absolutely looking for the game will find it. In other words, there is no chance for casual viewers. Then the NHL will wonder why the Roller Derby draws more viewers.

Really? On mine it's channel 76

[Seahawker 562]

Originally Posted by bears9

Really? On mine it's channel 76

same here. like 400 sumthin is in hd though

[peg_city]

"It paid $65 million for the first year"

Isn't that how much A-Rod gets paid.

On a similar note TSN's deal with the NHL is around 40 million a year.

[Lefty Noob]

Okay, so now I wonder, after looking at peg_city's numbers... how in the world can a small-fry cable network afford to pony up so much for the TV rights? I mean, it's not like Versus is a hugely successful network or anything, right? It's no ESPN. It's not even alongside the likes of Spike, Comedy Central or the Cartoon Network, or so it seems. So where are they getting $65 million to spend on pro hockey???

[azrael492]

Doesn't even make good business sense. They are small time and put up that kind of money for a sport that has poor ratings. How long will they stay on the air with programmers like that.

[ThePundit]

The 400's is where all the optional sports packages are. So unless you buy the NBA, MLB, or NHL package, you would never even be near those stations.

There are some nights that the Islanders play on Versus. And it takes me a while to find it. And that's only because I go looking for it.