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

[topfiverecords]

By the time the Leafs are good again maybe we'll have colour TV?

[Jbo]

Originally Posted by BigTuna

The big problem is the Leafs are bad and rebuilding. Once their great prospect pool comes to the big team, ratings will go up. The Leafs are the engine that makes everyone $.

[Alberta_Beef]

Isn't this expected? IIRC they remove regional restrictions on GCL with proof you have the channels in your cable package. This will result in many more people watching regional games online and will hurt regional numbers.

[Buff]

Originally Posted by CKPThunder

I find this interesting. I have the most basic cable package available and I still receive channel 302. Is it because they are on an older cable box? Weird.

My inlaws don't have HDPVR. Watching TV at their place sucks, they only have a 24" TV to boot. I have been there during a game because they live less than a block away.

As for my parents, I've not been there during a game scheduled on SportsNet Flames, but they do have the same HDPVR as me. They don't know a thing about technology, my dad just figures out how to change channels and my mom is terrified she broke something forever if she presses a wrong button.... they also show up ridiculously early for things so maybe they tune into the channel at 6:00 for a 7:00 game but they say they never get to watch on that channel. Being an IT guy I've developed patience for people who can't figure out simple technology, but when it comes to my mom I lose my cool. Wolowitz and his mother have a very loving relationship compared to me and my mom when technology is involved.

[SkunkyJosh]

I have Sportsnet and I live in Montreal. Most of the games are black out due to regional restrictions. Don't get me started with Rogers/Sportsnet.

[Igster]

Originally Posted by SkunkyJosh

I have Sportsnet and I live in Montreal. Most of the games are black out due to regional restrictions. Don't get me started with Rogers/Sportsnet.

That has nothing to do with Rogers/SN. That is the NHL. If you want to watch regional games, you need to buy a package that allows you to do so. You can't watch regional channels in your area. Again, NHL rules, not Rogers or SN.

[SkunkyJosh]

Originally Posted by Igster

That has nothing to do with Rogers/SN. That is the NHL. If you want to watch regional games, you need to buy a package that allows you to do so. You can't watch regional channels in your area. Again, NHL rules, not Rogers or SN.

You're right but as far as I know, I have no way to get the streams unless I get the NHL streams and lie about my location and pretend I'm in the USA. I think I should have a legit and cheap way to watch my hockey games through the regular cable network. As a Canadian, we should have an easy access to all Canadian teams...

Let me know if there is a legit option for me beside the streams sites, using VPN or getting the NHL stream and watch the game later and such. I like quality.

[Igster]

Originally Posted by SkunkyJosh

You're right but as far as I know, I have no way to get the streams unless I get the NHL streams and lie about my location and pretend I'm in the USA. I think I should have a legit and cheap way to watch my hockey games through the regular cable network. As a Canadian, we should have an easy access to all Canadian teams...

Nope. You simply need to purchase Gamecenter Live. Just like it has always been. Used to be NHL Center Ice. If you want to watch out of market teams. Nothing has changed with Rogers taking over, other than the name.

[hwy19man]

Originally Posted by SkunkyJosh

I have Sportsnet and I live in Montreal. Most of the games are black out due to regional restrictions. Don't get me started with Rogers/Sportsnet.

Originally Posted by SkunkyJosh

You're right but as far as I know, I have no way to get the streams unless I get the NHL streams and lie about my location and pretend I'm in the USA. I think I should have a legit and cheap way to watch my hockey games through the regular cable network. As a Canadian, we should have an easy access to all Canadian teams...

Let me know if there is a legit option for me beside the streams sites, using VPN or getting the NHL stream and watch the game later and such. I like quality.

There are more games with canadian teams on national television in Canada than there were before Rogers won the NHL contract.

[BACKCHECK!!!]

It would be pretty cool if I could just give somebody a bunch of money, and then watch the Calgary Flames' play all of their games.

I know that's a really complicated and Diva-ish request, and is clearly beyond what the NHL is willing to accommodate...

But seriously. I live in the southern US right now, and I doubt there are many local cable packages that will carry the Flames-Oilers game. And yet after paying $200 or whatever it was to get Game Center Live, I still find myself sitting in front of a blank screen unable to watch certain Flames games.

I've got a credit card in my hand, and *I WANT TO PAY FOR YOUR PRODUCT*, and I literally don't even care what it costs, but nobody will take my money.

What the heck kind of way is that to run a business?

[habernac]

Really noticed watching the Flames/Wings game last night: whenever they went to a camera at ice level, the picture was garbage.

[Benched]

Originally Posted by Igster

That has nothing to do with Rogers/SN. That is the NHL. If you want to watch regional games, you need to buy a package that allows you to do so. You can't watch regional channels in your area. Again, NHL rules, not Rogers or SN.

which is funny because LAST YEAR with GameCenter you could watch all games, no blackouts or restrictions.

My GUESS at the time was that it was promotional as it was Rogers first year taking over, or because they didn't have the technical stuff in place to do the restrictions. I was HOPING however that this was the new and improved GameCenter.


I guess what you're saying is that the NHL cracked down on Rogers for not blacking out? That's what's changed this year? I'd love to see your reasoning/evidence for that.



More to the point, I do have cable, I do have those channels, I'm CHOOSING to watch it on my ipad/computer....and the list of "TV providers" you can enter is some weird provider I've never heard of and Telus. That doesn't sound like the NHL. That sounds like business for Rogers. Partnerships and agreements to try and force people to certain providers to access content. They probably get some sort of deal on it. Like where is the Bell? Bell is huge out east. Where is Shaw? Shaw is huge out west.

IMO ALL providers should be in that list BEFORE you even attempt blackouts if your premise is 'you need to have cable as well'. The setup right now is BS. The fact the website says "some regional restrictions may apply" means they know it'll piss people off but they're purposefully vague in order to keep people buying the product. What they should say is "you will not be able to watch local games without a Telus cable package"...'cause that's the honest truth.

Right now there is little to no point in having GameCenter if you live in Calgary and are a Flames fan. You either buy cable to watch the games, or you're out of luck. I enjoy out of market games, and I do follow them and tune in now and then, but my primary reasoning to get GameCenter was for the Flames, so I can watch at work when I'm here late on my computer, or at home on the computer while I'm gaming/to avoid interrupting my girlfriend on the TV. Worked well last year. This year we're back to oppressive 'this is how you should watch' GameCenter.

May be the NHL, might be another beef I have with them....but my gut tells me this is on Rogers more than NHL regulators.

[Jordan!]

Hockey, NHL hockey especially has become watered down to me.. There is a general lack of intensity to the game that has almost made it routine.

I think more and more people are finding other things to do with their time.

[BACKCHECK!!!]

Hockey games certainly are more exciting when the teams play very different styles. And we don't see this as much in the NHL any more.

[Jordan!]

Originally Posted by BACKCHECK!!!

Hockey games certainly are more exciting when the teams play very different styles. And we don't see this as much in the NHL any more.

There is less parity in the league now but it's almost like watching a simulation these days. No personality, emotion or intensity.

Yawn, Even the league stars Ovechkin is really the only interesting player in the game in my opinion

[Benched]

Originally Posted by Bouw N Arrow

There is less parity in the league now but it's almost like watching a simulation these days. No personality, emotion or intensity.

Yawn, Even the league stars Ovechkin is really the only interesting player in the game in my opinion

[The Yen Man]

Originally Posted by CKPThunder

I find this interesting. I have the most basic cable package available and I still receive channel 302. Is it because they are on an older cable box? Weird.

Yah, they should double check. Both me and my parents are on the lowest basic cable package (without the sports package), and we still get channel 302. The only ones we don't get are SN 360, and TSN3 to 5.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by Bouw N Arrow

There is less parity in the league now but it's almost like watching a simulation these days. No personality, emotion or intensity.

Yawn, Even the league stars Ovechkin is really the only interesting player in the game in my opinion

I think some fans project how they are feeling onto all fans.
Your interest level could be declining as you grow older - life gets busier, and more complicated. Sports becomes a distraction but far less important.
In short - you are old.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by Bouw N Arrow

There is less parity in the league now but it's almost like watching a simulation these days. No personality, emotion or intensity.

Yawn, Even the league stars Ovechkin is really the only interesting player in the game in my opinion

There's never been more parity than this year! What are you talking about? The best teams are the closer to the worst teams than ever before.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Bouw N Arrow

Hockey, NHL hockey especially has become watered down to me.. There is a general lack of intensity to the game that has almost made it routine.

I think more and more people are finding other things to do with their time.

In Arizona? Yeah, you're probably right.