NHL TV ratings are down across the board on average for Rogers

[goodyear]

I hate SN for the following reasons:

The Flames camera crew panning in and focusing on a player going to the bench while the actual play is going on

The poorly synced audio which has been going on for years

The crappy virtual ads

The two-bit panel of rotating hacks.

Incorrect graphics shown on air

"Insiders" who tell you things you already know - Mike Johnston "wrote" an article on the website paraphrasing the Gaudreau Players Tribune article

Eric Francis

The Flames post game Sporstnet Connected with the two fools who can't read off a telepromter.

The post game Connected show that shows very little post game interviews and instead air the last minutes of another game

The times they want to troll people by showing the game on SN360

I think by contrast, the Blue Jays has better production value. Their broadcast inadequacies are less noticeable

And yes, I hate Strombo. He has a podcast. I like that better. Sports is not his thing. I feel like he is reaching every time he is talking on that panel



/rant

[Aegypticus]

At 5 pm on the average weekday my brother and I are just hanging out, making dinner or whatever, and we usually want to put on some mindless TV. We're both hockey fans beyond watching the Flames, and we'd love to have some eastern game to watch for an hour or two in the early evening. But we almost never can. Sportsnet just doesn't show these games that they have the national rights to and are going on at the time we want to watch. What the hell Sportsnet?

We just end up watching some news because RSN is showing some plays of the month bull####. Or maybe misplays of the month. Or a half hour show of NHL highlights that I already saw on Reddit. Or some OHL game that I care nothing about. Or maybe Blue Jays in 30. Yeah, a recap of a spring training game. Sweet. Anything but show some goddamn live NHL hockey.

It blows me away how little hockey they actually broadcast to me (almost none) compared to the amount they have the right to broadcast to me (as I understand it, basically all the hockey). Way to make use of that monopoly.

[GirlySports]

They dont even have a show as good as Thats Hockey at 5pm which is what i watch

[Tsawwassen]

Originally Posted by Aegypticus

At 5 pm on the average weekday my brother and I are just hanging out, making dinner or whatever, and we usually want to put on some mindless TV. We're both hockey fans beyond watching the Flames, and we'd love to have some eastern game to watch for an hour or two in the early evening. But we almost never can. Sportsnet just doesn't show these games that they have the national rights to and are going on at the time we want to watch. What the hell Sportsnet?

We just end up watching some news because RSN is showing some plays of the month bull####. Or maybe misplays of the month. Or a half hour show of NHL highlights that I already saw on Reddit. Or some OHL game that I care nothing about. Or maybe Blue Jays in 30. Yeah, a recap of a spring training game. Sweet. Anything but show some goddamn live NHL hockey.

It blows me away how little hockey they actually broadcast to me (almost none) compared to the amount they have the right to broadcast to me (as I understand it, basically all the hockey). Way to make use of that monopoly.

Gotta totally disagree with you here. Take a look at the OOTs and you'll see there are plenty of games that SN had on nationally. There have been various games on SN every night so far in March. In Feb. there were only 3 nights that SN didn't have a national game. In Jan. there were only 2 nights there was no national game. In Dec. just 1 night. November had the most nights there were no games and in Oct. just 2 nights of no games.

[Aegypticus]

Originally Posted by Tsawwassen

Gotta totally disagree with you here. Take a look at the OOTs and you'll see there are plenty of games that SN had on nationally. There have been various games on SN every night so far in March. In Feb. there were only 3 nights that SN didn't have a national game. In Jan. there were only 2 nights there was no national game. In Dec. just 1 night. November had the most nights there were no games and in Oct. just 2 nights of no games.

Specifically talking about games starting at 5 or 5:30 on a weekday that are shown on one of the sportsnet channels I subscribe to, which would be SNW and SN1. There's almost never a game for me to watch when I want to.

[flames_fan_down_under]

From day one Sportsnet has been an inferior product to TSN in my opinion. The cheesy studios, the bad sports personalities, the poor analysis, Nick Kypreos, treating the Blue Jays like an afterthought...i could go on.

Canadians will always like hockey, and will always have an appetite for hockey but I personally think things have gone overboard and its become completely saturated with hockey. Scotiabank Wednesday Night Hockey, Hockey Night in Canada, Rogers Hometown Hockey, HockeyCentral at noon, all of course punctuated with commercials with hockey themes. It's the same people saying the same things every day. There is no life or energy to the broadcasts, no colourful personalities with NEW insights or any sort of critical thinking or originality. Just Kypreos etc sounding off about the usual 'back in my day' nonsense and talking about the code and unwritten rules. It has gotten so stale. Thank god for the Blue Jays otherwise Sportsnet would probably be just Darren Millard. I also personally like a little competition. I like how the NFL has games aired on CBS, NBC, Fox and ESPN. Same with MLB, it's almost staggering how superior a Fox baseball telecast is to a Sportsnet telecast.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Afternoon games in the NHL are horrible. And if the Flames considered making it a regular thing, I would be telling them in no uncertain terms how little I would appreciate it.

While they are never as exciting from a game standpoint, the thing with afternoon games is that they make the game much more accessible for people with kids. I share some tickets with a few guys, and the afternoon guys always tend to be the ones that go first for that reason.

Personally, Id love to take my kids to a game, but the games start way too late for it to be practical. Even with older kids, Im sure a lot of people don't want their kids staying up till 10-11 on a weeknight. That, and you can get your fair share of drunk idiots at most evening games, which most parents don't really want to expose their kids to (hell, I hate sitting in front of that guy too).

I'd personally really like it if the Flames had 2/3 more afternoon weekend games every year, so I could take the whole family. Having a dedicated Family section wouldn't be a bad idea either.

[bubbsy]

I think the canadian teams sucking plays a big part, but the leafs basically having nothing to play for since game 1, with no prospects of tomorrow on the roster until just recently has meant much of leaf nation has just ignored the leafs altogether. This has been easier to do here in Toronto given the media/city's attention on the jays and raptors of the past year.

i'm sure the NHL is happy to see the leafs looking a sure shot for 30th spot. Getting the leafs an NHL ready big name prospect like Mathews at 1st overall would bring all of the leaf fans back on board and watching team, even though they are likely to suck for another year or 2. That helps the tv ratings, and i would imagine helps the league revenue. And with the leafs sitting at 30th, can also keep any conspiracy theory folks at bay.

[HotHotHeat]

Guys don't worry, Rogers has 4K now.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by bubbsy

I think the canadian teams sucking plays a big part, but the leafs basically having nothing to play for since game 1, with no prospects of tomorrow on the roster until just recently has meant much of leaf nation has just ignored the leafs altogether. This has been easier to do here in Toronto given the media/city's attention on the jays and raptors of the past year.

i'm sure the NHL is happy to see the leafs looking a sure shot for 30th spot. Getting the leafs an NHL ready big name prospect like Mathews at 1st overall would bring all of the leaf fans back on board and watching team, even though they are likely to suck for another year or 2. That helps the tv ratings, and i would imagine helps the league revenue. And with the leafs sitting at 30th, can also keep any conspiracy theory folks at bay.

The Oilers are proof that you can be a terribly inept organization and still carry hype due to picking first overall. That Nylander kid is good but he's not in the league of Sam Bennett yet going by Leafs coverage you would think he's McDavid's twin brother so you can imagine how unbearable it would be if the Leafs get Matthews. The national preseason coverage would center around the Austin Matthews watch and the other Canadian team camps would be footnotes.

[GirlySports]

Can someone find US hockey numbers, I believe they are down as well.

Think hockey in general is down.

[hwy19man]

Originally Posted by flames_fan_down_under

From day one Sportsnet has been an inferior product to TSN in my opinion.

From when Sportsnet came on the air in 1998 and took over TSN's NHL national contract for four seasons?

[hwy19man]

Originally Posted by goodyear

And yes, I hate Strombo. He has a podcast. I like that better. Sports is not his thing. I feel like he is reaching every time he is talking on that panel.

The same thing happened to Ron MacLean when he took over from the fired Dave Hodge. My father tells me that everybody wanted MacLean off the air or send him back to being a weather man.

[Philly06Cup]

Rant: I want more programming that promotes appreciation for athletes and the sports they play.

The bulk of sports programming are the following:
-Highlights.
-Reporting on sports news stories, with brief analysis.
-Compilations of old highlights. Bloopers, plays of the month, top 10 lists.
-Talking heads yelling their unfounded opinions. Tim & Sid; PTI; Off the Record. You can get the same thing from browsing CP.

I would love more produced original content. I'm a big fan of the 30 for 30 series and The Road to the Winter Classic. I know they aren't for everyone, but its nice to have variety on the sports networks. There are so many channels and so much airtime -- there is room to add unique programming. These shows display more player personalities, and let people get to know their sports heroes. Viewers are given insight into what it is to be a professional athlete and the unique experiences they have and obstacles they face. In this way, we are allowed to appreciate athletes are human beings with amazing stories.

The other thing that is seriously lacking on television: Real insightful analysis. I want to learn more about what makes great players great and what makes great teams great. I would love to watch a half hour devoted to a superstar and what they do that others cannot. How does Ovechkin have 40 goals when most others can barely muster 30? Don't just show me his goals. Show me how he makes smart reads to find soft openings, or uses his strength to create separation. Show me the little things that makes him special. Show me what makes an elite powerplay and an elite penalty kill, and contrast it with what teams at the bottom are doing wrong. Show me the things I can't read off a scoresheet, like why Drew Doughty and Duncan Keith are two of the top shutdown defensemen. This kind of show would not appeal to everyone, but new viewers would learn a lot and better appreciate the skills NHL superstars possess.

Sports TV often defaults to the lowest common denominator of highlight shows and loud talking heads. There can be so much more.

[calgarygeologist]

Originally Posted by Philly06Cup

I would love more produced original content. I'm a big fan of the 30 for 30 series and The Road to the Winter Classic. I know they aren't for everyone, but its nice to have variety on the sports networks. There are so many channels and so much airtime -- there is room to add unique programming. These shows display more player personalities, and let people get to know their sports heroes. Viewers are given insight into what it is to be a professional athlete and the unique experiences they have and obstacles they face. In this way, we are allowed to appreciate athletes are human beings with amazing stories.

I love the programming that ESPN puts together like 30 for 30 and ESPN Films. I wish TSN would dedicate some of their budget to stuff like that. I would especially love to see programming and shows that highlight Canadian amateur athletes like our young hockey players or our Olympic athletes.

[curves2000]

One of the things that I don't recall anyone saying in this thread is the equal level of competition and how that translates to view habits.

I am 31 years old and I find myself watching less and less broadcasts of other teams. I recall as a kid loving to cheer for my Flames but I was also drawn other teams just to see an array of talent. Teams like the Penguins had Mario, Jagr and other superstars. The Red Wings teams of the 90's were just loaded with future HOF's. The 4th line was stacked. The Avs for many years were just a powerhouse of players. Several big names played for the Rangers etc.

The point I am trying to make is that in today's cap environment the parity in the league results in 1-3 high-end players or a superstar and the rest is mostly made up of players that are interchangeable with other teams. I find there is very little draw for other teams to force me to make arrangements to watch other games.

If I am home and got nothing else going on I will turn on a Canucks/Jets broadcast or might watch an eastern team or something like that. What I find myself doing less and less is planning my day/night based on the broadcasts of other teams.

Another issue that might be happening is the changing viewing habits. A few people mentioned earlier the type of content they love like 30 for 30, Road to the Winter Classic, behind the scenes type stuff. I love this content myself! I love seeing the guys joking around the locker room, working out in the weight room, having dinner together on the road, the travel and hotels they have on the road. This type of content allows me to envision what being an NHL player is like and allows me to see how cool it is for someone to live out their sports dream.

This type of content though is expensive to product and is easily viewable online, can be PVR'd, ads being forwarded etc. I believe this type of content doesn't attract the same level of revenue ad buys as opposed to live TV sports. Its almost a conundrum. The fans want live tv sports without the ads, the companies and networks want live audiences to show them the high revenue ads, the fans want the quality, expensive content where they can watch a program quicker by going through ads but the Sportsnet and TSN's of the world need revenue to keep the lights on.

Interesting business now and in the future to say the least.

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by HotHotHeat

Guys don't worry, Rogers has 4K now.

they can't even get 1080p right

[Philly06Cup]

Originally Posted by curves2000

One of the things that I don't recall anyone saying in this thread is the equal level of competition and how that translates to view habits.

I am 31 years old and I find myself watching less and less broadcasts of other teams. I recall as a kid loving to cheer for my Flames but I was also drawn other teams just to see an array of talent. Teams like the Penguins had Mario, Jagr and other superstars. The Red Wings teams of the 90's were just loaded with future HOF's. The 4th line was stacked. The Avs for many years were just a powerhouse of players. Several big names played for the Rangers etc.

The point I am trying to make is that in today's cap environment the parity in the league results in 1-3 high-end players or a superstar and the rest is mostly made up of players that are interchangeable with other teams. I find there is very little draw for other teams to force me to make arrangements to watch other games.

If I am home and got nothing else going on I will turn on a Canucks/Jets broadcast or might watch an eastern team or something like that. What I find myself doing less and less is planning my day/night based on the broadcasts of other teams.

Another issue that might be happening is the changing viewing habits. A few people mentioned earlier the type of content they love like 30 for 30, Road to the Winter Classic, behind the scenes type stuff. I love this content myself! I love seeing the guys joking around the locker room, working out in the weight room, having dinner together on the road, the travel and hotels they have on the road. This type of content allows me to envision what being an NHL player is like and allows me to see how cool it is for someone to live out their sports dream.

This type of content though is expensive to product and is easily viewable online, can be PVR'd, ads being forwarded etc. I believe this type of content doesn't attract the same level of revenue ad buys as opposed to live TV sports. Its almost a conundrum. The fans want live tv sports without the ads, the companies and networks want live audiences to show them the high revenue ads, the fans want the quality, expensive content where they can watch a program quicker by going through ads but the Sportsnet and TSN's of the world need revenue to keep the lights on.

Interesting business now and in the future to say the least.

I love 3 on 3 overtime. If any team is in overtime, I find a way to watch that game.

I hope the low ratings lead to the NHL seriously looking at ways to improve their on-ice product. More scoring chances, more goals. Permanent 4-on-4 would be amazing -- though the NHLPA would not like the loss in player jobs. Do something big.

[Barnet Flame]

Originally Posted by Iggy City

"Again, I don’t think this has much to do with Sportsnet or the product they are creating."

Uhh...

I and many others used to badger Premier Sports about bringing back HNIC coverage in the UK as there was no way to watch it unless you watched live at ridiculous o'clock on GCL as it was.

Now, I couldn't give a #### about watching HNIC. The format stinks and it may be just a personal view of mine, but Strombo is unwatchable. He is so over the top with his interview style and he reeks of insincerity.

The only thing and admittedly it is major for us, is the step change in Flames broadcasts with Ball and Hrudey. They provide the best PBP of all teams I've watched over the past 18 months.

[N-E-B]

For highlight shows TSN is worse than Sportsnet now IMO. Ever since Jay and Dan left the show hasn't been very good. The hosts try to be hip and cool using dumb slang and trying to relate to current trends/fads but they just come off as embarrassing. Also they're starting to report on stupider and stupider things now. They reported on a Call of Duty tournament for God's sake.

Hometown Hockey is also unbearable. I'm currently watching curling instead of tht crap. Curling.

There are no more good sports stations on TV anymore. I watch all my highlights on the Flames website now.