Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post - Blackout rules make watching hockey in Canada confusing, frustrating and expensive

OldDutch · 02-01-2021, 11:03 AM

I found it funny that the Flames/Leafs game was blacked out on SN4K but not on SNW, because of the SNO blackout.

I think this is part technology and part a mess of legal broadcast agreements. Illegal streams bypass all of that.

That doesn't excuse the poor quality of legal broadcasts/streams, but I almost wonder if the NHL patchwork of broadcasters causes issues here as well. Creating a standard feed would mean getting a bunch of partners in the room so they avoid it.

I am doubtful this gets better soon. The technology if obviously there, the NHL can call MLB or NFL and get a blueprint. I am just wondering if there isn't a cobweb of legal issues and too many people involved to make it easy.

02-01-2021, 11:03 AM	#79
OldDutch #1 Goaltender Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: North of the River, South of the Bluff Exp:	I found it funny that the Flames/Leafs game was blacked out on SN4K but not on SNW, because of the SNO blackout. I think this is part technology and part a mess of legal broadcast agreements. Illegal streams bypass all of that. That doesn't excuse the poor quality of legal broadcasts/streams, but I almost wonder if the NHL patchwork of broadcasters causes issues here as well. Creating a standard feed would mean getting a bunch of partners in the room so they avoid it. I am doubtful this gets better soon. The technology if obviously there, the NHL can call MLB or NFL and get a blueprint. I am just wondering if there isn't a cobweb of legal issues and too many people involved to make it easy.