joe89
#5
- Apr 30, 2009
- 20,313
- 174
This might indeed be a huge blow to coverage over here especially if it includes the online broadcasting rights. Buying one of Canal+ or Viasat's online services is just not happening, it's total crap from quality to pricing. While it's nice to know where the TV rights are landing, you rely on the internet package to watch your team and the teams you like to follow play every game. I hope ESPN can continue to distribute them here even in the future.
Furthermore, ESPN America is the only channel that has been broadcasting every game simultaniously in HD. Actually since a while back, Viasat hasn't even had a channel to broadcast their hockey in HD. If Viasat is to buy this piece of rights with an extended amount of games(the previous package they bought had 5 games/week) they better open up a new HD channel, preferably Viasat Hockey HD. I'd say that it's a likely solution, and if so - good, but until we know I'll be a little scared over this. Best case scenario we finally get two games a night I suppose, but I'm sceptical to that happening.
Combined, ESPN America(or back to the NASN days) and Viasat(C+) have had an acceptable coverage over the last few years and ESPN America has always had brilliant coverage of the playoffs. I was happy with the way things were last season, and I hope that this won't change that sentiment.
Furthermore, ESPN America is the only channel that has been broadcasting every game simultaniously in HD. Actually since a while back, Viasat hasn't even had a channel to broadcast their hockey in HD. If Viasat is to buy this piece of rights with an extended amount of games(the previous package they bought had 5 games/week) they better open up a new HD channel, preferably Viasat Hockey HD. I'd say that it's a likely solution, and if so - good, but until we know I'll be a little scared over this. Best case scenario we finally get two games a night I suppose, but I'm sceptical to that happening.
Combined, ESPN America(or back to the NASN days) and Viasat(C+) have had an acceptable coverage over the last few years and ESPN America has always had brilliant coverage of the playoffs. I was happy with the way things were last season, and I hope that this won't change that sentiment.