NHL strikes 10-year TV Deal with NBC/Versus

WEFFPIM · Post #1 » by **WEFFPIM** » Tue Apr 19, 2011 6:02 pm

http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/0 ... ally/89956

Some of the highlights:

-ALL playoff games will be on national TV next season using the NBC Sports platform.
-NBC/Versus will have exclusive rights to playoff games starting with the Conference Semifinals (now it starts at the Conference Finals)
-New NBC broadcast on Black Friday.
-Versus' regular season coverage will expand from roughly 50 games to 90 games.

While it's frustrating to realize that ESPN will never consider the NHL a sport for the next decade, a helluva deal for NBC and Comcast. Versus (or whatever it's new name will become) will literally be the home of hockey for American fans. And it's hard not to like having every playoff game on national TV.

The big thing about this is what this will do for Versus. It's probably turning into NBC Sports Network or something like that once the season is over. The have one of the Big Four as their tentpole programming, plus college football and basketball. There's an opportunity here for this network to be the first viable threat against ESPN. Starting picking up some more events like a golf or tennis major and start elbowing your way into ESPN's territory. With so much uncertainty surrounding the NFL and NBA next season, there's a huge opportunity here for NBC and Versus.

Post #2 » by **ajaX82** » Tue Apr 19, 2011 6:53 pm

I hated Versus at first, thought the NHL had made a huge blunder. Now though, I love it

Versus gives the NHL its complete attention. None of this 5th option crap on ESPN, stuck on the Deuce while Chris Berman screams catch-phrases during some NFL Live show in March. Versus gives constant games and analysis, without the ESPN bull**** . ESPN irritates me terribly...the constant hyperbole, over-analysis, and biad towards certain teams and I'm glad the NHL isn't there. NBC and Versus do a really nice job considering. And hell their HD looks pretty sexy too

I think the NHL definitely wins here. More exposure, it's own network to hog....good things all around

trwi7 · Post #3 » by **trwi7** » Tue Apr 19, 2011 8:51 pm

Hopefully there are more teams besides the usual Pens, Cap, Wings, Hawks, Bruins Rangers etc on there. As a fan of none of those teams it's really annoying when you look on Monday and it's Rangers vs Bruins, then Tuesday Wings vs Hawks.

Post #4 » by **ajaX82** » Tue Apr 19, 2011 9:44 pm

trwi7 wrote:Hopefully there are more teams besides the usual Pens, Cap, Wings, Hawks, Bruins Rangers etc on there. As a fan of none of those teams it's really annoying when you look on Monday and it's Rangers vs Bruins, then Tuesday Wings vs Hawks.

I will completely agree with this, even as a Wings fan. I can watch my team on FSN whenever, I would prefer some of the little market guys get some games.

trwi7 · Post #5 » by **trwi7** » Tue Apr 19, 2011 10:12 pm

I'm not even saying never put those teams on, I know that's never going to happen because they get huge ratings. All I'm asking is some games that feature some of the smaller, quality teams or young up and coming teams. Teams like the Preds, Oilers, Canes, teams like that.

Are you telling me people wouldn't watch the Preds vs the Hawks or Wings? Or Canes vs Lightning?

Post #6 » by **Nolan** » Wed Apr 20, 2011 3:41 am

This is a great deal for both parties. NBC/Versus aquire the attention of an entire fanbase and the NHL grows its fanbase.

WEFFPIM · Post #7 » by **WEFFPIM** » Wed Apr 20, 2011 5:34 am

One thing that I've noticed is that national hockey ratings are relatively stable regardless of the matchup. Now that Versus has the NHL locked up and isn't gunning for the obvious matchups for the best ratings possible, I think this stability will give them the opportunity to put teams like the Predators, Hurricanes, Lightning and Sharks on more. These are good teams that never get the national attention. I'd also like to see more Canadian teams shown in the US from time to time. No one here in the US really knows how good Vancouver is unless you're an extreme die hard.

SportsWorld · Post #8 » by **SportsWorld** » Fri Apr 22, 2011 5:38 am

Versus needs to expand their viewers. I don't have Versus here and have missed on on hockey all year because of it.

WEFFPIM · Post #9 » by **WEFFPIM** » Tue Jun 7, 2011 7:34 pm

Bump this for this:

http://www.adweek.com/news/television/u ... old-132319

The International Olympic Committee has awarded the media rights to the 2014-2020 Olympic Games to NBC.

Speaking Tuesday afternoon from Lausanne, Switzerland, IOC president Jacques Rogge announced that NBC has put up $4.38 billion for the package, making this the most expensive TV rights deal in Olympic broadcast history.

Which means it's that much more likely we see NHL players in the Winter Games moving forward.

trwi7 · Post #10 » by **trwi7** » Tue Jun 7, 2011 8:18 pm

Heard that everything will be broadcast live in some form as well.

WEFFPIM · Post #11 » by **WEFFPIM** » Wed Jun 8, 2011 3:30 am

Everything will be carried live somewhere (say hello to stuff on Versus/whatever it'll be called), then I would imagine they'll re-air things during primetime as well.

NBC Sports is making some strong statements here lately.

Post #12 » by **Froob** » Wed Jun 8, 2011 11:41 am

SportsWorld wrote:Versus needs to expand their viewers. I don't have Versus here and have missed on on hockey all year because of it.

Yea this, had to pay extra to get it.

gamer4Life · Post #13 » by **gamer4Life** » Tue Jun 14, 2011 9:40 pm

Bring back FoxTrax please. (the glowing puck trail)

Post #14 » by **Nolan** » Wed Jun 15, 2011 12:55 am

gamer4Life wrote:Bring back FoxTrax please. (the glowing puck trail)

Oh god no. That was beyond annoying.

Post #15 » by **OldNo7** » Wed Jun 15, 2011 2:58 am

gamer4Life wrote:Bring back FoxTrax please. (the glowing puck trail)

I hope you are kidding...

Regardless, I know a lot of Canadians and Americans missed out on games because Versus isnt on regular US cable in hotel rooms, that needs to be fixed.

Parataxis · Post #16 » by **Parataxis** » Thu Jun 16, 2011 3:45 pm

gamer4Life wrote:Bring back FoxTrax please. (the glowing puck trail)

+1. I'm always annoyed when my live sports doesn't look like my XboX.

/green.

trwi7 · Post #17 » by **trwi7** » Wed Sep 21, 2011 10:06 pm

http://www.lakelandtimes.com/main.asp?S ... leID=13873

:lol:

Post #18 » by **Mr Swagtastic** » Thu Sep 22, 2011 7:11 pm

Great to see that hockey is getting big again in The States. It should be your National team has a bright future and hockey is a great game to see live. With that being said I wonder if ESPN will even sniff 1/10th of a actual NHL game?

It's a shame to see how it died so fast over there when NASCAR is so popular.