Versus Nets NHL Rights Extension-through 2011
- Thread starter RangerBoy
- Start date
Hennessy
Ye Jacobites, by name
Unless Versus totally reinvents itself with quality programming and a much larger market (unlikely at best, probably impossible considering how expensive most sports are to attain broadcast rights to), this is very bad news for hockey in the US.
The number one thought casual sports fans have of the NHL is that it is a niche sport. So what does the NHL do? Firm up that impression by slapping its games on a channel DEVOTED to niche sports.
Nice work, Gary.
DeathFromAbove
Registered User
- Jul 17, 2006
- 9,622
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Jazz
Registered User
Even the NHL knew to dump Sportschannel......
Well, what is done is done - now we have to hope for the channel to pick up something else.....
Is anything from the NFL/MLB/NCAA up for grabs in the next couple of years?
WHY would Versus want to over-extend itself into becoming another ESPN, i THINK IT HAS a hard enough time butting heads w/ ESPN.
The NHL wasn't getting its exposure once Disney brought in the NBA, why would we want to repeat that episode.
The NHL wasn't getting its exposure once Disney brought in the NBA, why would we want to repeat that episode.
Hearing of this just ruined my day.
In all honesty I don't think it would be so much of a negative issue had OLN or VS. not been such tight wads in their relationship with providers. (In my case Dish).
If VS appeared on the Basic of Basic lineups then great! But being a Dish subscriber I am not going to upgrade my package to pay $80 a month or whatever it is just to subscribe to the hockey. This only punishes the already hockey fans into paying more money. It does nothing at all in "attracting" new fans.
In all honesty I don't think it would be so much of a negative issue had OLN or VS. not been such tight wads in their relationship with providers. (In my case Dish).
If VS appeared on the Basic of Basic lineups then great! But being a Dish subscriber I am not going to upgrade my package to pay $80 a month or whatever it is just to subscribe to the hockey. This only punishes the already hockey fans into paying more money. It does nothing at all in "attracting" new fans.
Even the NHL knew to dump Sportschannel......
Well, what is done is done - now we have to hope for the channel to pick up something else.....
Is anything from the NFL/MLB/NCAA up for grabs in the next couple of years?
Why do you have to worry? You live in Canada don't you?
Can everyone please shut up about ESPN? It's not like you're pointing out the existence of the most popular sports network to the NHL suits who are saying "OH YEAH, YOU'RE RIGHT. I FORGOT."
SlapnutsV1
Registered User
The Big 10's football contract with ESPN expires after the 2007 season, I believe. Look for ESPN to retain or for the Big 10 to make a jump to Fox.
No surprise that Versus wants to re-up, despite the low ratings the NHL games are still one of it's highest rated programs. I'm a bit surprise the NHL didn't exersize it's way out of the deal to at least restructure it however Comcast as owners of the Flyers does have an inside track.
I'm sure there are some NCAA packages coming up, if the Big 10 switches to FOX that might allow VS to come in and get the cable rights.
I'm sure there are some NCAA packages coming up, if the Big 10 switches to FOX that might allow VS to come in and get the cable rights.
This thread, coupled with the other here about the All-Star game ratings being down 76%....
Hmmm....possibly a connection?
Let's see if any of the NHL 'suits' can put two and two together!
I'm just thankful I have Center Ice. At least until the playoffs.
Hmmm....possibly a connection?
Let's see if any of the NHL 'suits' can put two and two together!
I'm just thankful I have Center Ice. At least until the playoffs.
Nope... Versus has failed to get any of the other sports tv contract. No one, other than the smaller niche sports, wants to touch that channel with a ten foot poll.
Would ANYONE rather see the NHL be shuttled again by Versus the way ESPN TREATED the NHL
Would ANYONE rather see the NHL be shuttled again by Versus the way ESPN TREATED the NHL
Yes I wouldn't mind watching hockey if I can ACTUALLY watch it! See I don't get versus, also I don't care how well Versass covers hockey, this is NOT benefitting the NHL.
PeterSidorkiewicz
HFWF Tourney Undisputed Champion
I dont know what to think because I have no idea what versus plans are. They NEED to get into more homes obviously, and they also NEED to re-vamp their programming. If theyre actually committed to these two things (I have no idea if they are) then I have no problems in it.
I know comcast has a stake in TSN, which is why i dont understand why versus just cant steal some of their programming. I remember during playoffs Versus just took the NHL networks highlight and game re-cap show and aired it, why not do that EVERY night? I still find it a shame they don't even have an "NHL2night" type of show yet.
I think them adding the NLL is sweet though, its pretty cool to watch.
I know comcast has a stake in TSN, which is why i dont understand why versus just cant steal some of their programming. I remember during playoffs Versus just took the NHL networks highlight and game re-cap show and aired it, why not do that EVERY night? I still find it a shame they don't even have an "NHL2night" type of show yet.
I think them adding the NLL is sweet though, its pretty cool to watch.
SomeDude
Registered User
Sigh. I get to look forward to another 4 years of not being able to see any team other then the Penguins play. How I miss being able to put on ESPN2 on Wednesday night and see a hockey game. I personally only know about 5 people that actually get Versus, and only 1 of them lives around me.
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Well atleast 200,000 viewers in a country of 300 million are happy
go gary you go ,showcase the NHL
now if we could only get a expansion franchise in Mexico .
go gary you go ,showcase the NHL
now if we could only get a expansion franchise in Mexico .
