NBC holds the US NHL contract for game of the week and they are broadcasting the Olympics. Yet, they pretty much have banished hockey in the Olympics to MSNBC a cable channel. Yes, I understand that they will show medal games on NBC, but I would think they might want to build momentum for a sport they broadcast throughout the year. I would think that both parties would relish this opportunity to bring great hockey to the masses and try and grow the game. Both the NHL and NBC stand to gain from national exposure from the world greatest players. I just feel like NBC is showing the NHL where the NHL stands in its pecking order.
Your thoughts?
2010-02-14T10:10:57Z
As you know, I am not around much anymore... so IF I missed the ball on this topic, I apologize. I also understand how ratings work, and as long as I can see the games, I am OK... I just think that NBC is missing a golden opportunity. The NBA stands to lose 400million this season, people are disgusted with the actions of its players.... to me, the door is open for the NHL to squeeze its way back into popularity. Just saying.
Awesome Bill2010-02-14T11:44:25Z
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Well that's the crux of the problem for a sport that is trying to gain a greater share of the television-viewing market. The NHL is at the whim and mercy of the networks - which are based in the very country that the league is trying to expand its popularity in.
It would be different if CBC had sister networks based in Canada and the NHL could basically write their own checks like the NFL can here in the United States. Unlike what someone else here declares, the limited exposure isn't due (in part) to hockey not being as popular in the U.S. as it is in Canada. These Olympics are being televised around the world.
Hockey is like the proverbial person trying to get a loan from a bank but keeps getting turned down because he has no loan history. I'm not so certain that the NHL should go into more warmer climates. I understand the complexities of the marketing and economic factors in their overall plan, but I think they should consider the regional popularity of the game and work on enhancing the profitability of the teams in place. But what does the league do to expand its popularity world-wide?
To answer your question, NBC is indeed showing the league (and hockey in general) where it stands. But hockey is popular regionally - unlike a sport like soccer which commands the plum programming slots. I'm sure if hockey was as popular as soccer, NBC would bend over backwards to promote and televise the games.
Its too bad that economics and ratings get in the way of simply "putting the game out there" for all to see and hopefully, increase popularity. But there has to be some justification(s) for doing so, and therein lies the fundamental problem - no reason to bump the more appealing (read: popular) events.
Bob and a few others have the facts covered, hockey does not draw the ratings that many of the other events do. I am not sure if NBC has any control over the scheduling of the events but there is one game in particular that you would have assumed they wanted on the main network: Canada vs. USA. They are playing on Saturday I believe. The game is scheduled for prime time and was pushed to MSNBC. Earlier in the day, Russia is playing someone and it is being broadcast on the main channel. The common sense move would be to flip the start times, put the two North American teams on the main network in the matinee and move the Russians to prime time on MSNBC. I am guessing that since NBC has chosen that over the other events, CBC would as well so it would work for both countries.
There could be other factors involved preventing that but it seems like the logical move from the stance of the networks at least. I am curious whether they can charge more for advertising in prime time for MSNBC than an afternoon slot on the main network.
EDIT: Salty, NBC would rather show a bad game featuring teams with bigger television draws. They don't care a lick about the quality of the teams involved. That's why we see one or more of the Flyers, Rangers, Penguins, Capitals and Red Wings every single time they televise a game. It's also the reason we never see Canadian teams. I would love to see all of the teams you mentioned, the problem is that the casual hockey fan couldn't care less.
NBC likes to break up coverage from tape to live to other live to tape....and they put the individual sports on NBC for that reason, its better TV for the average person... and the Team sports, curling and ice hockey and others on MSNBC and CNBC and USA and Universal Sports (which no one gets). This provides the most coverage and insures the highest ratings for NBC. If you want to watch a 2 hour hockey game they give you that option... often... both men's and women's and even for non USA games. So NO, they certainly aren't doing a disservice to the NHL in their Olympic coverage.
They should however provide double headers on Sunday game of the week... the NBA does the same thing and is the NHL's chief comptition. They should even show a canadian team every one in a while. To date they have shown Philly twice, Pitt thrice, Detroit twice, Washington, Boston and Chicago...funny those are the same six teams (plus NYR) that they always show... they are letting the NHL down in their coverage and their game selection. I would love to see some new camera angles and 2 games and less bickering in the studio.
Edit: Bob--How about the Blues, Nucks, Habs, Devils, Stars, Kings, Sharks, Ducks, Avs, Sharks, Flames, Sens, Sabres, Sharks and Sharks... seriously will we ever see the Sharks on NBC? They have been good since they hoodwinked Thornton from Boston for nothing and they never get on TV... I'm not saying show the south, no one cares at all... maybe the Canes would be good to watch if they were decent, but other than that those teams aren't too interesting, but god man, there are seriously only 7 teams that get on NBC, its a little bit completely lame, baseball is a long game, a four hour investment, it doesn't compare, but even they have more variety in their broadcasts and basketball and football have east and west coast coverage on their weekend broadcasts, its not the same teams every weekend in one game at 12 on Sunday, although it can be the same teams playing other teams (LAL gets on alot playing who everelse) ... the point is they would show more than one game and show more of the sport incase you were out or not up yet... They have to make their coverage more special and cut the bickering talking heads.
I never said show crappy games no one cares about, I said show more and show it with some originality.
Yes, it is a business decision. As far as the NHl game of the week,,,,I actually thought all of the games they showed this year were great. Detroit vrs Chicago was awesome from a fans stand point. It went to a shootout and through out the game it was mainly the stars that scored. Pittsburgh and Philly,,,,another great one and a great rivalry game. Pitts and Detroit, another shootout. Great for fans. Caps and Pens, well, we know the fans in the USA love to watch Ovie and Crosby. But yes, it is frustrating when you want to watch a game and come to find out that it's not on television. I'm more disappointed that I can't watch the Olympics on CBC. Canadian channels are always more supportive of the Olympics, and hockey in general for obvious reasons.
True, but as long as figure twirling posts better ratings, hockey will continue to be a Sunday morning filler the network took a flyer on with minimal investment and risk.
The NHL will not regain its lost TV presence without ESPN. End stop.