ESPN may soon have company

Tra La La · Jul 31, 2005

http://www.boston.com/sports/other_sports/articles/2005/07/31/espn_may_soon_have_company/?page=1

That's why rumblings that Comcast is poised to mount an all-sports challenge to ESPN, perhaps using Outdoor Life Network (OLN) as the platform, have created such a stir. Comcast isn't a start-up, and, more important, it has deep pockets

The first piece of the puzzle to achieve all-sports legitimacy would be to acquire the NHL's national rights. Indications are that such a deal is in place and waiting to be announced this week, once the NHL finishes anointing Sidney Crosby as its savior during this weekend's draft festivities in Ottawa.

Several TV consultants said, ''If OLN gets the NHL, it won't increase their distribution." OLN is in 63 million homes, compared with 89.3 million for ESPN2. But the NHL would provide a lot of potential programming,

Unholy Diver · Jul 31, 2005

OLN is not on basic or extended cable in a lot of places, I get it with the extra digital package but asking people to pay more might be asking too much

i am dave · Jul 31, 2005

If Comcast were to get the NHL and put it on OLN, I think we'd see OLN almost immediately become available on basic cable systems nationwide. In fact, as I've said previously, I wouldn't be surprised if it were a stipulation of the contract.

Also, Comcast already broadcasts CSN in HD, so I don't know if it would really be that difficult for an OLN-HD broadcast.

SuperUnknown · Jul 31, 2005

Unholy Diver said:
OLN is not on basic or extended cable in a lot of places, I get it with the extra digital package but asking people to pay more might be asking too much

I think they'll also add NFL games, that might get the channel in more homes.

bcrt2000 · Jul 31, 2005

remember when CBC put Curling on some extra digital channel? there was a total outcry, so the deal with CBC got nixed and they went back to TSN

Tekneek · Jul 31, 2005

How is Comcast going to get the rights to any NFL games? The new NFL contracts have already been decided.

Original6 · Jul 31, 2005

I read an article on this board that said that they are negotiating with the NFL (look around for it). Also they will change the name of the channel from OLN to something else.

Gandrigor · Jul 31, 2005

IIRC, there are a number of thursday and saturday NFL game rights, in coming seasons, not yet owned by any network.

buckyhockey8 · Jul 31, 2005

Go for it Comcast. More hockey on tv= a happier me.

NJD Jester · Jul 31, 2005

I said it before, I'll say it again: No matter who picks up the NHL on cable, STAY AWAY from recycling the same announcing talent we've had for the last 15 years. (Save for Mike Emrick).

No more Pang! No more Pang! No more Pang!

Trizent · Jul 31, 2005

Darren Pang signed on to be Phoenix Coyotes TV color commentator full time.

http://www.phoenixcoyotes.com/news/press_release_details.php?op=details&ID=4186

dafranchz · Jul 31, 2005

Merge Police

London Knights · Jul 31, 2005

I could be interesting. If Comcast sets things up right they could really boost the NHL, and their chances of bringing the NHL back to life. While the NHL needs to do a lot of things to lure in the casual non-traditional hockey fan, a lot of the job rests on the networks shoulders. A crappy broadcast can kill a great playoff game for the fan who isn't a diehard.

kdb209 · Jul 31, 2005

PitkanenPower said:
If Comcast were to get the NHL and put it on OLN, I think we'd see OLN almost immediately become available on basic cable systems nationwide. In fact, as I've said previously, I wouldn't be surprised if it were a stipulation of the contract.

Also, Comcast already broadcasts CSN in HD, so I don't know if it would really be that difficult for an OLN-HD broadcast.

I also commented on the other OLN thread.

Just because a cable channel is available to all cable syetms, it doesn't mean they all will choose to carry it - many cable systems are maxed out on channels or just choose not to pay Comcast the fee's it asks for for OLN.

There are many cable systems which do not carry OLN (63M homes vs 89M for ESPN) or only carry it on non-basic, higher (more expensive) tier digital cable packages. Whay would those non-Comcast systems suddenly decide to carry OLN just because of the NHL. If OLN gets the Thurs/Sat night NFL deal, that would be another story.

As for HD, Comcast may have OLN-HD or CSN-HD available, but again very few non-Comcast cable or satellite providers will carry it unless there is a high demand. Sad, but true - the NHL will not generate that demand.

Lobstertainment · Jul 31, 2005

I'm feeling overly optimistic. I bet they sign on the dotted line today!

i am dave · Jul 31, 2005

SSJTOM said:
I'm feeling overly optimistic. I bet they sign on the dotted line today!

Two more weeks....

pens66 · Jul 31, 2005

SSJTOM said:
I'm feeling overly optimistic. I bet they sign on the dotted line today!

August at the earliest. :biglaugh:

Guy Legend · Jul 31, 2005

Here in the midwest (Mediacom), we don't get the OLN either. Heck, we just got ESPN 2 as part of non-digital cable last year.

As long as Fox Sports net carries games, I'll be able to watch my Blues and be happy.

LazRNN · Jul 31, 2005

If the NHL was on a Comcast owned channel, would that channel be available to Satellite subscribers?

Limey FK · Jul 31, 2005

SSJTOM said:
I'm feeling overly optimistic. I bet they sign on the dotted line today!

I crap my pants everytime I read this..

This is still absolutely hillarious..

(I love the random contexts in which it pops up.. keep up the good work)

Neil

kdb209 · Jul 31, 2005

darkboy said:
If the NHL was on a Comcast owned channel, would that channel be available to Satellite subscribers?

Almost certainly.

OLN is currently available on DirecTV as part of their basic Total Choice package.

But Comcast does have a history of animosity towards Satellite. For several years they refused to allow DirecTV carry Comcast Sports Net channels. They viewed satellite as a direct competitor to their cable business and wanted to keep the CSNs as a cable exclusive, but now three of four CSNs (Chicago, Mid Atlantic (DC), West (Sacramento)) are available on DirecTV. Comcast's CSN Philly is still not available.

But it is very unlikely that if Comcast's intention is to launch a nation wide sports channel as a competitor to ESPN they would keep it off satellite.

GKJ · Jul 31, 2005

Trizent said:
Darren Pang signed on to be Phoenix Coyotes TV color commentator full time.

http://www.phoenixcoyotes.com/news/press_release_details.php?op=details&ID=4186

When I watch Coyotes games, I'll make sure I leave it on mute.

GKJ · Jul 31, 2005

Trizent said:
Darren Pang signed on to be Phoenix Coyotes TV color commentator full time.

http://www.phoenixcoyotes.com/news/press_release_details.php?op=details&ID=4186

When I watch Coyotes games, I'll make sure I leave it on mute.

The NFL is going to add Thursday games, which they took out the past couple years (aside from opening night and Thanksgiving), which wouldn't get network TV coverage

johnny cool · Jul 31, 2005

go kim johnsson said:
When I watch Coyotes games, I'll make sure I leave it on mute.

hey what are you gonna do when you watch Coyotes games?

bcrt2000 · Jul 31, 2005

Limey FK said:
I crap my pants everytime I read this..

This is still absolutely hillarious..

(I love the random contexts in which it pops up.. keep up the good work)

Neil

its funny though that the one and only time bob mckenzie said it was the day they got the deal in principle

ESPN may soon have company

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Original6

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Oh no, my brains.

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