The Offshore Wire The Offshore Wire dotNetBB Forums : Join the Revolution dotNetBB Forums : Join the Revolution
  HomeLog InRegisterCommunity CalendarSearch the ForumHelp
   
The Offshore Wire Forum > Handicapping and free plays > Hockey picks and discussion > NHL reaches television agreement, and it's not ESPN   Forum Quick Jump
 
New Topic Post Reply Printable Version
[ << Previous Thread | Next Thread >> | Show Newest Post First ]

bigboydan
Registered Member



Email Address Not AvailablePersonal Homepage Not AvailableSend a Private Message to bigboydanAIM Not AvailableICQ Not AvailableY! Not AvailableMSN Not Available
Date Joined Mar 2005
Total Posts : 4887
 
   Posted 9/3/2005 2:10 AM (GMT -5)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
New York, NY (Sports Network) - The NHL announced Thursday that it will show its games on OLN after ESPN declined to match an offer.

According to the New York Times, Comcast Corp., the owner of OLN, will pay $65 million this season and $70 million in 2025-07. There is also an option worth $72.5 million for a third season.

ESPN began airing NHL games in its first year of 1979 and continued through 1988 before Sportschannel took over. ESPN, though, then regained the cable broadcast rights again in 1992.

However, due to the recent lockout that cost the league the entire 2004-05 campaign, ESPN declined its $60 million option for the 2005-06 season.

In a statement sent to the league, George Bodenheimer, the president of ESPN and ABC Sports, said that "given the prolonged work stoppage and the league's TV ratings history, no financial model even remotely supports the contract terms offered."

The new deal will allow OLN to broadcast at least 58 regular-season games that will air on Monday and Tuesday nights. OLN will also carry the NHL All-Star Game exclusively in the United States and will provide extensive coverage throughout the Stanley Cup Playoffs, including exclusive Conference Final action and the first two games of the Stanley Cup Finals.

There is the possibility, though, that some of the weekend postseason games would be shown by NBC, which also has rights to the Stanley Cup Finals following Game 2.

OLN's coverage will begin on October 5 with an opening-night matchup between the Philadelphia Flyers and the New York Rangers.

"We are entering into a great partnership with the NHL," said OLN president Gavin Harvey in a statement. "Hockey is excellent, exclusive programming for OLN and will be a marquee sport for the network. We are proud to be the new national television home of the NHL when the puck drops on October 5."

OLN plans on bringing TV audiences closer to the action by having increased behind-the-scenes access, microphones on the players and coaches, netcams and in-game interviews.

In addition, the new deal will provide video on demand (VOD) game highlights, HDTV game coverage, online streaming of two live games per night, broadband highlights, commentary and library footage.

The New York Times also noted that one of the stipulations on OLN's deal is that Comcast must carry the NHL Network, which is currently only available in Canada on its digital sports tier.

OLN is also obligated to pay the NHL $15 million more if it exceeds 80 million subscribers. The network now has 64 million customers, which is well below ESPN's 90 million.

"We recognize and appreciate that Comcast is making a tremendous investment in the NHL and that hockey will be a priority on OLN," NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said. "This multifaceted partnership with OLN and Comcast creates exciting opportunities for our fans and for us, and we look forward to a terrific relationship in the years ahead."

The NHL will be a new change for OLN, which has been known for carrying live coverage of the Tour de France, including many outdoor activities such as fishing, rodeo and bullriding.

However, OLN, which recently changed its name from the Outdoor Life Network, is trying to become a major sports power. It has been reported that Comcast is also using OLN as a possible springboard for a national sports network, and is interested in National Football League rights...


a good capper is only as good as his info.

Back to Top
 
New Topic Post Reply Printable Version
 
Forum Information
Currently it is Friday, November 11, 2005 11:29 AM (GMT -5)
There are a total of 30,902 posts in 3,857 threads.
In the last 3 days there were 135 new threads and 614 reply posts. View Active Threads
Who's Online
This forum has 382 registered members. Please welcome our newest member, zex.
33 Guest(s), 29 Registered Member(s) are currently online.  Details
The Touthouse, GamedayNetwork.com, cossi, juuso, LLXC, coconutman, Mike, BAUS, kaz, slash, Gulliver, nojuicesports, playersonly69, VegasSI.com, Utopia, Nostradamus, roxygurl, KGUN, seaurchin, godzilla, Betmonkey, jisav, jwunderdog, codeworks, Kevy, raiders72001, soli, duke, TOW