BlackRedGold said:
Do you really think that TSN has a significantly greater reach then Sportsnet?
Nope, I do think that TSN put the best finacial proposal together for the package they show - which hinges on national broadcasts outside of the HNIC package.
I think that Sportsnet put the best financial package together for the regional team packages which cater to specific areas.
Both packages are in partnership with the NHL with none of the three party's really carrying any hammer in terms of broadcasting decisions.
These networks need the NHL on order to fill their space and sell their advertising.
The NHL needs these networks for both financial and exposure reasons.
One thing is for sure, if these two networks ever pulled the plug on NHL games at the same time the NHL would be hooped as far as reaching their target audience.
BlackRedGold said:
The NHL has more options then TSN. Bell has three tv stations dependent upon the NHL: TSN, ESPN Classic Canada and the NHL Network. If the NHL told them that Sportsnet is getting all their contracts now, what would they show on those three networks?
You honestly believe that that question boils down to just what Bell needs?
The NHL needs all the revenue and exposure it can get. Who cares if the NHL is king in Canada, if the NHL lost their exposure the ripple effect would start and the game would slide here as well.
BlackRedGold said:
Or what is to stop the NHL from launching their own sports network? They could get coverage from coast to coast pretty quickly if it was the only place to watch the NHL outside of HNIC.
Probably nothing but it would be a specialty channel.
Right now there are three accessible TV broadcasts that can cover a great majority of homes with TV sets. CBC with HNIC, TSN and Sportsnet all the other fluff that you list are specialty channels. None of them give the NHL exposure unless the viewer has already decided to purchase the channel as an extra - in which case exposure is a none issue.
I just don't understand how you can see TV as a one sided relationship. It's not they need each other and for the life of the league that will never change.
Just to throw an example out there of the TV stations not catering to the NHL's specific wishes. Don't you think that last spring after Bertuzzi jumped Moore that the league would have liked for no stations to replay or discuss what went on? DO you think they were happy with the new found black mark against the sport getting shown over and over anover again with comentary and analysis from ever arm chair critic in the country?
Funny that those same stations kept running the story.....