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NHL unveils TV schedule for Canadian, U.S. networks

August 28, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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The National Hockey League (NHL) announced the television schedules for national partners NBC Sports, Versus, CBC, TSN, TSN2, RDS, RIS and NHL Network Canada for the 2010-11 NHL regular-season. As part of NBC’s flex scheduling, Florida’s game on Jan. 23 in New Jersey against the Devils has the option of being aired to a national audience on NBC. In addition, the Panthers will air on TSN in Canada when Toronto visits South Florida on Nov. 10 and the Cats will air on CBC on Oct. 30 when they face-off against the Montreal Canadiens. In the U.S., NBC Sports and VERSUS return for a sixth consecutive season as national television partners. In Canada, CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada begins its 58th regular-season of NHL broadcasts while TSN, whose relationship with the NHL dates back to 1987, continues as the national English-language cable partner. RDS, the French-language telecast … [Read more...]

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Cablevision, NHL still at odds as opening day looms

September 17, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Thanks to reader Antonio Ponzi for reminding us that after almost nine months, the NHL and Cablevision remain at an impasse in a bitter contract dispute involving high-definition telecasts of games in the league's subscription TV package. Effective Jan. 22, all HD telecasts emanating from the Cablevision-owned MSG networks were yanked from the league's NHL Center Ice digital package on satellite and cable. The action affected telecasts of the New York Islanders, New Jersey Devils, Buffalo Sabres and Cablevision-owned New York Rangers. Bad blood has existed between the NHL and Cablevision since the league attempted to wrest control of the Rangers' Web site. The NHL took charge of each of its teams' sites in 2007. MSG objected and sued the league, alleging it was acting as "an illegal cartel." In response, the NHL filed a disciplinary letter with the Manhattan court saying … [Read more...]

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Bruins, Flyers reportedly set for Fenway Classic

June 25, 2009 By Leave a Comment

TSN.com is reporting that next year's NHL Winter Classic will originate from Boston's Fenway Park and feature the hometown Bruins against the Philadelphia Flyers. Quoting the Trentonian newspaper in New Jersey, TSN.com said the league pushed for the Washington Capitals and superstar sniper Alexander Ovechkin to be included in the annual outdoor match-up on New Year's Day, but NBC — the U.S. network that broadcasts the game — wanted the Flyers for better ratings. There have been rumors the NHL may add a second game on Jan. 1 pitting the Toronto Maple Leafs against the Calgary Flames at McMahon Stadium, home of the CFL's Calgary Stampeders. The TSN.com report made no mention of a second game. The 2010 edition will mark the third annual Winter Classic. The first was played in 2008 at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Buffalo while this year's event was staged at Chicago's Wrigley Field. … [Read more...]

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Legendary NHL toughs give figure skating a whirl

June 24, 2009 By Leave a Comment

If the sight of burly ex-football stars like Warren Sapp and Emmitt Smith gliding across the dance floor wasn't jarring enough, now comes a new reality show in Canada in which some of hockey's most notorious tough guys will again lace up the skates — this time as figure skaters. The CBC announced Tuesday the male contenders for "Battle of the Blades," which will pair former NHL stars with Canadian female figure skaters in an elimination-style contest. Among those who will take a crack at landing a double Axel are Tie Domi, pictured, and Bob Probert, pictured, two of hockey's most-celebrated pugilists of the past 20 years. Other former players who will participate are current CBC analyst Craig Simpson, Hall of Famer Lanny McDonald, Glenn Anderson and Stephane Richet. "Hockey Night in Canada" host Ron MacLean and Olympic medalist Kurt Browning will co-host the seven-week series, … [Read more...]

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NBC to extend deal with NHL for two more years

June 8, 2009 By Leave a Comment

We've been raving about the how good the postseason playoffs have been this year in the NBA and NHL and the networks telecasting them have enjoyed solid viewer numbers throughout. The star-studded, big-market hockey playoffs have been a boon for both Versus and NBC and now the peacock is on the verge of re-upping with the NHL for another two years, according to the Toronto Globe and Mail. Partners for four years, the arrangement has been a win-win for the league and NBC. The network has not been required to pay an upfront rights fee, instead splitting revenue with the NHL after cost. It has also been able to keep expenses down as a result of going with a single game of the week as opposed to regional telecasts. NBC has Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals at 8 p.m. ET Tuesday from Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh. The Detroit Red Wings lead the series against the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-2. … [Read more...]

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The hockey’s been great but the Versus ratings haven’t

May 13, 2009 By Leave a Comment

With three of the four conference semifinal series coming down to a seventh and deciding game, it would be pretty hard to find any postseason tournament more exciting than the current NHL playoffs. Versus — the NHL's exclusive cable rights-holder in the U.S. — has been excellent in covering the action and while the league has every right to be pleased with the performance of its TV partner, the relationship between the two may nevertheless be doomed. Sean Gregory's piece "The NHL's Unseen Classic" on Time.com clearly illustrates why the league will almost certainly be back on ESPN in the not-too-distant future. The numbers for Versus and the NHL are sobering: Game 4 of the outstanding Pittsburgh Penguins-Washington Capitals series on May 8 drew just 647,000 viewers, according to Nielsen Media Research data, making it the 81st highest-rated program on cable for the night. … [Read more...]

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Potvin ousted by Panthers; been with team from outset

May 7, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Denis Potvin is out as the television analyst with the Florida Panthers after being with the NHL team since its inception in 1993. A Hall of Fame backliner in his playing days with the New York Islanders, Potvin told the Miami Herald the Panthers had talked about signing him to a new contract at a lower salary. Team president Michael Yormark said he was unaware of any discussions with Potvin. Yormark told the paper Potvin's summer residency in Canada played a factor in his contract not being renewed. Radio analyst Bill Lindsay will join Steve Goldstein on the TV side. Radio voice Randy Moller will work solo, the Herald reported. … [Read more...]

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Crosby-Ovechkin duel heightens drama of NHL playoffs

April 30, 2009 By Leave a Comment

We're only one round in and there's already been a whole lot of intrigue in this year's NHL playoffs. The San Jose Sharks are gone after seeding No. 1 in the Western Conference in the regular season. Also home for the summer are perennial contenders the New Jersey Devils, Philadelphia Flyers and New York Rangers. With the puck to drop on the quarterfinals beginning tonight in Vancouver, there are many story lines to follow: • After disposing of the Sharks, there's no telling the Anaheim Ducks they haven't a chance against the high-flying Detroit Red Wings even if they are the longest of longshots. • The Boston Bruins may have decimated their longtime rival the Montreal Canadiens in the opening round but they will have their hands full with the feisty Carolina Hurricanes, whose last-minute Game 7 comeback against the Devils on Tuesday literally snatched victory from the hands … [Read more...]

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Day to deal in NHL

March 4, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Today's that odd day in the NHL where the action off the ice trumps what's taking place in the rinks. All of the major sports networks and Web sites in the U.S. and Canada will be on high alert until 3 p.m. ET when the deadline for making trades expires. There were 25 deadline-day trades in each of the past three years and while the economic downturn may affect the number of deals consummated today, the networks aren't taking any chances. Canada's TSN and Rogers Sportsnet will each devote 10 hours to the deadline with live coverage from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET. NHL Network in the U.S. has six hours scheduled, beginning with "NHL Live!" at noon ET and a three-hour special edition of "NHL on the Fly" at 3 p.m. A free preview of NHL Network is being offered by cable and satellite providers through Saturday. … [Read more...]

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MSG hockey MIA in HD

January 29, 2009 By 5 Comments

The folks at Cablevision sure have a penchant for pissing off the very fans they want to support their sports teams and TV networks — and we're not even talking about the Isiah Thomas years with the New York Knicks. It wasn't that long ago that its Madison Square Garden subsidiary was one of the last of the high-definition holdouts when it came to making its HD telecasts available to the satellite services. Cablevision is, after all, a cable operator. Why give a damn about satellite customers? While dish owners are thankful that time has passed, the owner of the MSG-branded networks is now embroiled in a battle royal with the NHL and, by extension, fans of New York-area hockey teams who reside outside the local market. Effective Jan. 22, a contractual dispute resulted in all HD telecasts emanating from MSG networks being pulled from the league's NHL Center Ice … [Read more...]

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