[News] Sportsnet signs 12 year $5.2 billion for NHL CDN Broadcast rights.

[nfotiu]

Originally Posted by Tinordi

This is big news. Bad news actually.

The good news is that people may be able to have an option to watch their local hockey without subscribing to cable tv. The bad news is that the company selling this is also a cable tv company and will likely not make that a cheap option. Also will probably put an end to the unblockus crowd.

[TurnedTheCorner]

Rogers CEO says people should understand that Rogers wants every Canadian to have access to its NHL coverage. It wants to maximize reach.

[CaramonLS]

Originally Posted by jaydorn

That's sounding really positive for the cable cutters out there. I've no problem paying to watch NHL online, but it should really be an "all in" approach. I pay the NHL, I get to watch every game.

I would be absolutely shocked if a major cable provider actually implemented a process to which would encourage cable cutting, especially in the markets they service. Shocked.

[TurnedTheCorner]

National Post asks - what happens to HNIC after four years?

Rogers Media says partnership over four years will build beyond HNIC for for years, hopes to partner with CBC for years to come.

[TurnedTheCorner]

Conference over, one-on-ones will continue throughout morning, and photo ops happening now.

[corporatejay]

Why wouldn't Rogers want to keep hockey on HNIC? They get all the revenue and pay no licensing for the actual HNIC name. Sounds like they'll try it for four years and see how it's going for both parties. From a CBC perspective, what else are they going to show?

[sureLoss]

It sounds like CBC only agreed to this so they wouldn't have to fire their HNIC staff. No real revenue for them at all.

Rogers will just use HNIC brand to help them build their national broadcast amongst Canadians... if in 4 years they feel like they maximized their leverage out of the brand they won't renew with CBC.

[taxbuster]

So, does Rogers by the HNIC theme from TSN?

[Kjesse]

Originally Posted by nfotiu

The good news is that people may be able to have an option to watch their local hockey without subscribing to cable tv. The bad news is that the company selling this is also a cable tv company and will likely not make that a cheap option. Also will probably put an end to the unblockus crowd.

Exactly. This deal foreshadows the eventual demise of a cable subscription as we know it. You'll see people paying the content owners directly instead of say, Shaw, to see what they want.

For now, status quo, but being the exclusive content owner gives Rogers the ability to control it. Shaw will want to make deals with Rogers to continue to carry the SN channels, but beyond that intermediary step I expect that TV will be delivered over an internet connection where you buy your content direct, bypassing your cable provider.

Isn't Rogers also a cable distributor in the East?

[Tyler]

Originally Posted by Stay Golden

that is my point, besides NBC would scoop him up in a heart beat. Cherry is an icon.

You're dreaming if you think he would relate well with a new American audience.

[taxbuster]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

It sounds like CBC only agreed to this so they wouldn't have to fire their HNIC staff. No real revenue for them at all.

Maybe. Suspect there is (will be?) some kind of "incentive" payment for the production team. CBC puts on a very slick show, whether or not you like the personalities. They know what they're doing. Sportsnet doesn't. Could end up using the CBC team as a "consultant" for some time in developing their own talent. Sportsnet would have to pay for that.

[PeteMoss]

Originally Posted by Delgar

Exactly. This deal foreshadows the eventual demise of a cable subscription as we know it. You'll see people paying the content owners directly instead of say, Shaw, to see what they want.

For now, status quo, but being the exclusive content owner gives Rogers the ability to control it. Shaw will want to make deals with Rogers to continue to carry the SN channels, but beyond that intermediary step I expect that TV will be delivered over an internet connection where you buy your content direct, bypassing your cable provider.

Isn't Rogers also a cable distributor in the East?

Yes.. that's how they got their start. Biggest cable operator in Ontario. They are also in the maritimes.

[taxbuster]

Originally Posted by Delgar

..... I expect that TV will be delivered over an internet connection where you buy your content direct, bypassing your cable provider.

Spoken like a true city-dweller. For those of us who live in the hinterlands of this vast country, TV is the source - satellite mostly. Internet service where I live in BC is ..... almost useless. Best I get is 4MB down -- that's not enough to stream hockey.

[Stay Golden]

Originally Posted by Tyler

You're dreaming if you think he would relate well with a new American audience.

he has guest hosted during intermissions on NBC in the past several times.

[TurnedTheCorner]

Originally Posted by taxbuster

So, does Rogers by the HNIC theme from TSN?

They probably just continue to use the new HNIC theme.

[GreenLantern2814]

I can only guess that Rogers will up its production values next year; you don't buy a million dollar house and furnish it with milk crates and your futon from college.

Dream scenario would be Bob Cole coming to work flames games every night; I know some people dislike him, but they're jaded, broken people who have forgotten what it's like to feel.

I'm more concerned that this isn't good for the long term health of the CFL, but that's probably a little paranoid.

[TurnedTheCorner]

Originally Posted by Delgar

Exactly. This deal foreshadows the eventual demise of a cable subscription as we know it. You'll see people paying the content owners directly instead of say, Shaw, to see what they want.

For now, status quo, but being the exclusive content owner gives Rogers the ability to control it. Shaw will want to make deals with Rogers to continue to carry the SN channels, but beyond that intermediary step I expect that TV will be delivered over an internet connection where you buy your content direct, bypassing your cable provider.

Isn't Rogers also a cable distributor in the East?

Rogers is a big cable company in the East, a telco in the East, and of course a national mobile provider.

Rogers CEO emphasized that maximizing reach is a foundation of this deal. I don't think you'll see traditional networks frozen out right away - who the hell knows though, 12 years is a long time. Look how the broadcast and distribution world looks now vs. 2001.

[SebC]

Originally Posted by mykalberta

Ive always wondered why TSN and CTV wouldnt try some sort of combined bid. I wonder if maybe they tried but wanted CBC out of the picture and the NHL was warry to do that.

You can pretty much assume that the Bell (TSN) bid would've included games on CTV.

[TurnedTheCorner]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

Dream scenario would be Bob Cole coming to work flames games every night; I know some people dislike him, but they're jaded, broken people who have forgotten what it's like to feel.

Cole can't keep up with the play, can't determine players, cant' remember players, etc. It's still nostalgic to hear him and he still manages to deliver decent broadcasts despite his shortcomings, but his day has passed.

I don't want to watch him calling Flames games when he has no idea who's playing or who's doing what or why the play stopped.

[habernac]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

You don't have to watch the leafs on saturday anymore!

I don't now, I watch the CBC Montreal feed on Bell.