NBCU Strikes New 10-Year NHL TV Deal

****!

 

??? This is fantastic news.

 

You like Versus and NBC coverage? I mean, I admit, there isn't much better, but I'd rather have ESPN at least get some games. Or maybe just have CBC expand to the US.

 

Oh, that's what you meant. In that case, I understand. ESPN was better. And if Don Cherry was across USA airwaves, the NHL would surpass the NBA. He makes it much more entertaining.

 

It's a bummer, because we can find a way to get Skysports announcers for the EPL rather than the Fox Soccer guys, but we have to listen to NBC and Versus brutalize the broadcast for us.

 

If you are a true hockey fan, I think we should all be rooting for NBC to win the Olympic bid

http://www.adweek.com/news/television/will-nhl-win-make-ebersol-lord-rings-130952

 

They try to copy him with Mike Millbury, but it just fails miserably.

 

I think this is great news, ESPn cares Fuc... all about hockey, I am glad they stuck with a network that will make them a priority and got a good bit of money out of the deal this time.

 

Hockey Night in Canada is on almost every Saturday night on NHL Network. They pull used to pull the early game and late game. Last year the early game was on live, then the late game was broadcast on Sunday afternoon. Don't know why.

They had the full CBC feed. Don Cherry at the intermission, hot stove lounge at the 2nd intermission and the pre and post game show.

You are right though, CBC too. HNIC is the best hockey show going. Its intangible, I can't put my finger on why it is better, but it just is.

 

It's better because they treat the audience like intelligent and educated fans. They make programs and talk to us like hockey fans. NBC and Versus are always targeting the casual fan in everything they do. They are always treating the viewers like they have never seen a hockey game, so they keep the commentary and analysis kindergarden simple.

Furthermore there is still an understated approach to sports programming in Canada. It's similar to some of the stuff that filters through to me from England. NBC and Versus are all about loud, quick soundbites. They are Chris Berman and Mike Millbury. "HE COULD GO ALL THE WAY!!" CBC is more Bob Cole, much more about calm, composed analysis. I'll never forget my wife, who is a very casual hockey fan, and who had never heard of the game before moving to this country, commenting one summer while were in Manitoba, "wow, Canadian TV is so much better. They actually talk about the game here!" Too much of American announcing is about that funny joke the announcers heard earlier off the air, or about talking nonsense to each other.

The worst offenders by far are Joe Beninati and Craig Laughlin. Just tune into a CSN broadcast sometime, I've heard them talk about the sandwiches that were on the plane and other non sense all while the game is going on. I've never figured out if Americans actually like this sort of stuff. But considering that I know Comcast and NBC are multi billion dollar companies and obviously do focus groups and all that, I have to come to the conclusion that they do, I guess.

 

Often find American announcers seem like they started doing their job calling baseball, where they have to fill every second of non-play with stories, stats and other ramblings. They don't like letting the game flow and calling the game.

 

He's good, but when they put Eddie Olycyk it's like watching Shakespeare have a conversation with a donkey.

 

The first year was horrible. I still never understood why NBC thought it was a good idea to make their audience feel stupid by talking to them like they had the IQ of 60. Hockey more than any other major sport in the US is about the hardcore fan. All they did was alienate them.

 

That sounds like they just picked up a TSN feed.

 

Considering the god awful contract the league first signed with them, this is a huge improvement. NBC is doing good things with their sports division. Now just get rid of Pierre, please.