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

[The Yen Man]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

IMO this is another issue with the deal. We fans don't tune into RSN unless it's to watch the Flames or Oilers. We tolerate it because we are Flames fans and we have no choice but if you aren't a fan how is Rogers mickey mouse presentation going to win over new fans or viewers? How are blowhards like Kypreos going to win over young fans that weren't around when he played? What does a has-been GM's that have destroyed franchises like MacLean got that's going to rope in interest from those that aren't already fans? How are PBP guys with grating voices going to win over a new generation of fans?

I know personally a typical Coyotes vs Flames game broadcasted by Kerr and Simmer is almost enough to make a hardcore fan like me change the channel so how is that going to rope in a curious fan? I think TSN did wonders to grow the CFL and IMO they also should be credited for growing the NHL in Canada as they were the ones that made the WJHC, trade deadline, and draft day a big deal. The CFL and NHL owe a lot to TSN and it's a little disgusting that the NHL could just blow them off like this. Can RSN take over that mantle and continue the growth that TSN started? I have major doubts that Rogers is up to the task.

Oh, I don't disagree, hence why I don't like the deal either from a fan's perspective. RSN is bush league in production values, and I can honestly say, it's embarrassing introducing new viewers to NHL hockey using a regional broadcast from RSN. Are they going to ramp up production value now that they're national? For our sake, we better hope so. But since we only have the current RSN product to judge them by, you can't blame fans for being skeptical and not liking the deal.

[Street Pharmacist]

While RSN isn't popular in Alberta, that's not necessarily the same opinion elsewhere.

And as for blowing TSN off, they owe them nothing. A better deal came along, so what?

[Tailgator]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

While RSN isn't popular in Alberta, that's not necessarily the same opinion elsewhere.

And as for blowing TSN off, they owe them nothing. A better deal came along, so what?

Couldn't agree with you more. I think RSN has been gaining ground in Alberta - as someone said before, prior to them stepping up, we had nothing to cover the Flames unless the Leafs or Habs were playing them.

TSN always seems to run down the Flames and treat the coilers like they're the model franchise everyone should look up to. The smug attitude and smirks from panels/announcers, etc. when talking about the Flames drives me friggin nuts. While I agree that TSN's production is better and it's obvious they've thrown more money at it, there's nothing saying this can't be the impetus for SN to improve. Details are still coming, we don't even know how this shakes out next season, but you read these boards and you'd think the deal meant we were getting our broadcasts yanked or something.The way a lot of people talk on here, they sound like TSN employees.....


We get more hockey = good news to me.

[TurnedTheCorner]

Originally Posted by Tailgator

Couldn't agree with you more. I think RSN has been gaining ground in Alberta - as someone said before, prior to them stepping up, we had nothing to cover the Flames unless the Leafs or Habs were playing them.

The way a lot of people talk on here, they sound like TSN employees...

And people who make SN sound like a good buddy stepping up and helping us when we were down by doing us a favor sound like SN employees.

[killer_carlson]

I am hoping that they add Kate Bierness to the Sportsnet crew.

[Tailgator]

Originally Posted by TurnedTheCorner

And people who make SN sound like a good buddy stepping up and helping us when we were down by doing us a favor sound like SN employees.

Never said it was to "do us a favor", but there was nothing there to watch the Flames after the whole 2&7 thing went away.
Sorry if you felt slighted by my post - not my intention.

I know my opinion for this deal is the minority on here (huge understatement), just seems like, to me, at first blush, there'll be more hockey to watch, so that's why I'm in favor....

[northcrunk]

Originally Posted by TurnedTheCorner

And people who make SN sound like a good buddy stepping up and helping us when we were down by doing us a favor sound like SN employees.

No kidding, I had to turn off the Fan960 yesterday because it was such lovefest for this new deal. The boys have really learned to push the company line, not that that's a bad thing.

[nik-]

You know, I was watching Sportsnet this morning and watching all these anchors that I'd never even seen before going on and on about how amazing this was. Saying things like get ready for more us for the next 12 years blah blah. I wonder how many of them realize that they're going to get pushed out for better people ... and probably fast.

A lot of them are cheering their own demise.

[Azure]

Originally Posted by cal_guy

I'm not too sure about that. I suspect they'll regroup around the regional rights that they currently own and expand them when the deals expire. In the meantime TSN probably gonna have to expand into some of the sports that Sportsnet isn't gonna be able to cover like Tennis. Also important is that CTV is by far the strongest broadcast network in Canada, and Bell also owns the strongest group of cable channels so that might help them prop up TSN.

Prop them up why? TSN had the biggest hockey personalities up till now, and all those guys are going to jump ship simply because TSN is done when it comes to hockey.

[Inglewood Jack]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

I am hoping that they add Kate Bierness to the Sportsnet crew.

anyone bring up Andi Petrillo yet? I'd be fine with that import. just like Ron Maclean said, oh those cans. they could never have enough of them for a quality broadcast.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Inglewood Jack

just like Ron Maclean said, oh those cans.

Wait ... what?

[GreenLantern]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

I am hoping that they add Kate Bierness to the Sportsnet crew.

[Bertuzzied]

They need to replace everyone of the female sportscasters on Rogers. It's like they picked them off the street.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

While RSN isn't popular in Alberta, that's not necessarily the same opinion elsewhere.

Well I browsed all the Canadian team forums at HF and they all have devoted threads to the topic and the general consensus is nearly identical to here. Most fans consider RSN 3rd rate compared to TSN and HNIC. Go take a look for yourselves as it seems like some fanbases are even more upset than we are.

[PeteMoss]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Well I browsed all the Canadian team forums at HF and they all have devoted threads to the topic and the general consensus is nearly identical to here. Most fans consider RSN 3rd rate compared to TSN and HNIC. Go take a look for yourselves as it seems like some fanbases are even more upset than we are.

You're comparing regional broadcasts to national broadcasts. Obviously a national broadcast that gets millions of viewers is going to spend more on production than a regional game in Calgary/Edmonton or Ottawa.

[kevman]

I know it's cool to hate Sportsnet but just a few years ago we were watching Flames PPV games and as recent as 10 years ago the radio was your only option for every 2nd game.

Second tier broadcast or not Sportsnet has done a lot to bring more Flames hockey into our living rooms.

[codynw]

Originally Posted by PeteMoss

You're comparing regional broadcasts to national broadcasts. Obviously a national broadcast that gets millions of viewers is going to spend more on production than a regional game in Calgary/Edmonton or Ottawa.

Will they spend more though? There's no competition, so what motivation do they have to improve the quality?

I hope you're right, I'm not expecting them to get much better though.

[TurnedTheCorner]

Originally Posted by kevman

I know it's cool to hate Sportsnet but just a few years ago we were watching Flames PPV games and as recent as 10 years ago the radio was your only option for every 2nd game.

Second tier broadcast or not Sportsnet has done a lot to bring more Flames hockey into our living rooms.

I think that has less to do with SN and more to do with the entire industry. 10 years ago there was no expectation that every single game would be available to watch on TV. I don't think it's honest to portray SN as some white knight that decided "Let's change this!" all on their own.

[Bertuzzied]

Them doing the playoffs scare the crap out of me more than a SOB-Butler pairing.

[Brannigans Law]

Originally Posted by kevman

I know it's cool to hate Sportsnet ...

It's cool because honestly the network stinks. Everything RSN does and touches seems like a 2nd rate version of CBC and TSN. Even something as simple as being unable to align the PBP with the video, after all this time, is still an issue for that lousy network.