Sportsnet has ruined hockey

[CroFlames]

Maybe their 4k will actually reach 720p quality?

[Split98]

Originally Posted by Hot_Flatus

You can't compare NBC or even what TSN was doing to to the Sportsnet coverage since the new deal was signed. No network has ever attempted to cover hockey like this and they have clearly spread themselves too thin to maintain high broadcast quality across all games. I've noticed improvements since last year and would imagine that there would be another step forward next season.

The thing that worries me is that this may be an underhanded attempt by Rogers to push 4K subscriptions by making the current HD broadcasts look worse than they should. If they can't get HD right by now I can't imagine how they will manage to get 4K working properly.

Of course we can. SN bought the rights to make money, and their move has cost us. No network has ever done it because it's stupid. If they had the best coverage and quality and wanted to expand, that's one thing. They had the worst coverage and quality and dumped a bag of money on the NHL to spread their cancer across every game.

Had the NHL been floundering and SN swooped in to save it I'd agree with you. But them spreading themselves too thin is not a problem I want to forgive them for.

I also would not put anything past Rogers. Giving terrible quality in an attempt to push 4K is definitely something I can see being brought up in those offices.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by PeteMoss

FWIW - Rogers regional broadcast deal with the Flames ends with 20-21 season I believe.

As long as Ken King is around I wouldn't expect the team jumping ship to TSN. He's tight (as in he's the guy that made it possible for him to do PBP) with Rob Kerr and the RSN guys.

[TheAlpineOracle]

Rogers runs the NHL coverage the way they run the Jays. A purchased monopoly which removes the need for any perks, frills, innovation, and just downright cheap which tarnished the product. Essentially, they do just enough to sell some tickets/keep cable subscriptions.

The thing about the NHL contract though is that they really have bitten off more than they can chew and have done significant financial harm to their company. Anyone who thinks they are going to get better with time are delusional. They are losing money hand over fist. I would bet the coverage is going to get worse and become a lot less localized. There's already reports out there that Rogers tried to scale down their NHL playoff coverage with the NHL, to which the NHL told them to pound sand. They've basically slashed all their regional reporting. If it wasn't for the Jays financial windfall last year, they'd be in some hot water with their shareholders (they report these together so they used the Jays profits to offset NHL loses).

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by TheAlpineOracle

Rogers runs the NHL coverage the way they run the Jays. A purchased monopoly which removes the need for any perks, frills, innovation, and just downright cheap which tarnished the product. Essentially, they do just enough to sell some tickets/keep cable subscriptions.

The thing about the NHL contract though is that they really have bitten off more than they can chew and have done significant financial harm to their company. Anyone who thinks they are going to get better with time are delusional. They are losing money hand over fist. I would bet the coverage is going to get worse and become a lot less localized. There's already reports out there that Rogers tried to scale down their NHL playoff coverage with the NHL, to which the NHL told them to pound sand. They've basically slashed all their regional reporting. If it wasn't for the Jays financial windfall last year, they'd be in some hot water with their shareholders (they report these together so they used the Jays profits to offset NHL loses).

The layoffs are evidence that it's not working out for Rogers and as you said they aren't making money showing all the games and are trying to slow the bleeding by limiting playoff coverage. My issue is that the people in charge of making the big decisions really should have seen this coming. I expect a lot of ego was involved when they made that fateful decision to overpay the NHL and I imagine more hardworking regular people at Rogers will pay the price as things will get worse for Rogers before they get better.

[Azhouse]

I love 82 games a year. I. will never complain about it

I used to HATE the mother ship's (CBC) lock on Saturdays. It was a complete joke. I remember maybe 6 or 7 years ago I was only able to listen to the Flames play Dallas on the radio on a Saturday afternoon and I thought to myself what is this the 50's? Remember when they never even had a late game but an episode of some crappy Canadian produced drivel (He Shoots, he scores anyone)? Being force fed a crappy Toronto feed or worse the Canadiens? THAT was a joke. When CBC got toasted I danced. I love Sportsnet compared to being force fed CBC on a weekly basis.

One thing that bugged me then and that still bugs me is the changing of the PBP and color personnel for the playoffs. Back in the day when playoffs began 2 and 7's people where put out to pasture (god bless you Eddie Whalen) and we were forced to CBC (ugggh). I like Hrudey and Ball and would love to see them go all the way through when the Flames win the cup!

[Hot_Flatus]

Originally Posted by Split98

Of course we can. SN bought the rights to make money, and their move has cost us. No network has ever done it because it's stupid. If they had the best coverage and quality and wanted to expand, that's one thing. They had the worst coverage and quality and dumped a bag of money on the NHL to spread their cancer across every game.

Had the NHL been floundering and SN swooped in to save it I'd agree with you. But them spreading themselves too thin is not a problem I want to forgive them for.

I also would not put anything past Rogers. Giving terrible quality in an attempt to push 4K is definitely something I can see being brought up in those offices.

I'm not condoning the quality of SN broadcasts. I'm disgusted that we are now all paying a premium for multiple sports channels (TSN Included) that offer sweet bugger all for increased coverage and quality that is clearly being stretched to the limits.

The thing the networks like NBC and TSN are better at is doing minimal amounts of broadcasts at a much higher quality level. You can guarantee TSN and NBC would have equally as terrible coverage quality if they were attempting to cover more than a few national events a week. There is simply not the infrastructure in place to broadcast so many games using the top equipment available.

Shame on all involved for allowing this to pass as acceptable.

[TheAlpineOracle]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

The layoffs are evidence that it's not working out for Rogers and as you said they aren't making money showing all the games and are trying to slow the bleeding by limiting playoff coverage. My issue is that the people in charge of making the big decisions really should have seen this coming. I expect a lot of ego was involved when they made that fateful decision to overpay the NHL and I imagine more hardworking regular people at Rogers will pay the price as things will get worse for Rogers before they get better.

Yup, and the Jays are going to pay the price for it as well. Their payroll is going to get slashed next year. The sports component of Rogers report together.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Hot_Flatus

I'm not condoning the quality of SN broadcasts. I'm disgusted that we are now all paying a premium for multiple sports channels (TSN Included) that offer sweet bugger all for increased coverage and quality that is clearly being stretched to the limits.

The thing the networks like NBC and TSN are better at is doing minimal amounts of broadcasts at a much higher quality level. You can guarantee TSN and NBC would have equally as terrible coverage quality if they were attempting to cover more than a few national events a week. There is simply not the infrastructure in place to broadcast so many games using the top equipment available.

Shame on all involved for allowing this to pass as acceptable.

Based on what? Your hunch? When has TSN provided substandard quality to make you thing they would stoop to RSN levels on a national level? TSN was smart enough not to offer the NHL a deal that would be a money loser for them in the first place so they would not be in a situation that they had to reduce the product quality to make ends meet. You can't guarantee anything.

What do you mean the infrastructure is not in place? You saw the pictures of the Fox and RSN broadcasts. You realized those telecasts were done out of the same arena at the same time?

I'm actually stunned that there are some RSN apologists. What's next? People start sticking up for the NDP?

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Hot_Flatus

I'm disgusted that we are now all paying a premium for multiple sports channels (TSN Included) that offer sweet bugger all for increased coverage and quality that is clearly being stretched to the limits.

Do we really pay a premium?

A sports pack from a Shaw/Telus costs what $9 to $14 per month. Something along those lines.

And that gets you literally hundreds of NHL games a season, Baseball, Basketball, Football, Soccer, wrestling, etc.

Considering it's pretty easy to dump 2-3 hours a night into the content on TSN/Sportsnet I really have no issue with what we pay.

The picture quality of Sportsnet is a joke (I have no issue with Hrudey, Ball, & Millions as our crew) but really I feel like I get decent value for what I am paying for.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Originally Posted by Azhouse

I love 82 games a year. I. will never complain about it

I used to HATE the mother ship's (CBC) lock on Saturdays. It was a complete joke. I remember maybe 6 or 7 years ago I was only able to listen to the Flames play Dallas on the radio on a Saturday afternoon and I thought to myself what is this the 50's? Remember when they never even had a late game but an episode of some crappy Canadian produced drivel (He Shoots, he scores anyone)? Being force fed a crappy Toronto feed or worse the Canadiens? THAT was a joke. When CBC got toasted I danced. I love Sportsnet compared to being force fed CBC on a weekly basis.

One thing that bugged me then and that still bugs me is the changing of the PBP and color personnel for the playoffs. Back in the day when playoffs began 2 and 7's people where put out to pasture (god bless you Eddie Whalen) and we were forced to CBC (ugggh). I like Hrudey and Ball and would love to see them go all the way through when the Flames win the cup!

You really think they would let us have Ball and Hrudey to the cup?

lol no chance. Sportsnets #1 crew is calling that for sure. That means Hughson.

[Azhouse]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

You really think they would let us have Ball and Hrudey to the cup?

lol no chance. Sportsnets #1 crew is calling that for sure. That means Hughson.

I know it would never happen. This what I am saying in my tirade. It would be nice...

[AC]

Just went through the recent game vs Chicago to pull highlights from.

I grabbed a bunch of good hits from the Chicago broadcast. Literally every single one the Chicago PBP reacts to and talks about to some degree.

Meanwhile, literally every single hit is completely ignored by the HNIC broadcast (Randorf and Galley). It makes the game so boring to watch.

[Split98]

Originally Posted by Hot_Flatus

I'm not condoning the quality of SN broadcasts. I'm disgusted that we are now all paying a premium for multiple sports channels (TSN Included) that offer sweet bugger all for increased coverage and quality that is clearly being stretched to the limits.

The thing the networks like NBC and TSN are better at is doing minimal amounts of broadcasts at a much higher quality level. You can guarantee TSN and NBC would have equally as terrible coverage quality if they were attempting to cover more than a few national events a week. There is simply not the infrastructure in place to broadcast so many games using the top equipment available.

Shame on all involved for allowing this to pass as acceptable.

Oh, I fully agree. Besides disliking SN coverage before the purchase, and hating Rogers in general, I hated this deal for this reason.

A) It's difficult to keep a high level of quality (which SN didn't have in the first place) with that much coverage.

B) The incentive is gone to remain competitive. Anyone who has ever paid a Rogers or Bell bill knows how the company feels about market monopoly.

It actually brings me joy to hear that Rogers is struggling now. The competition emerging in the cell market and their struggles with this NHL contract will eventually wipe their smug 'if we own all of it, who cares?' grin off their faces.

I really hope we see Rogers forced to share NHL coverage just to cover their bills. It would also be neat to see someone new emerge that isn't CBC or TSN for a game here and there.

[HelloHockeyFans]

Good:

- Strombo has done a great job I think as the new host. He has knowledge like any Canadian but doesn't act like he's an expert and this shows in his interviews and questions. Great job by him in his first year.

- Flames PBP crew is the best on TV in my opinion. Ball and Hrudey are excellent which unfortunately means they'll likely be promoted to national broadcasts sooner rather than later.

- Extensive coverage with all their channels. We've never been able to access so many games ever, which is great.

- Kypreos, Friedman, Hrudey, Strombo are good as analysts / hosts

No Good:

- Memory might be wrong but TSN seemed to broadcast in better HD

- Maclean, Millard, Garrett, Healy are horrible

- Quality of production is noticeably worse compared to CBC HNIC and TSN. Miles behind NBC.

[StrykerSteve]

When it comes to hockey

TSN > Sportsnet

Every day, all day.

Ball and Hrudey are top notch, though.

[Gaudfather]

Have to say though that the pre-pre-game show today with Marek, PJ and John Shannon was entertaining. Even Sportsnet has their moments.

[saillias]

Not sure if people like reading tweets posted like this, but I thought it was relevant.

David Shoalts ‏@dshoalts 26m26 minutes ago
Rogers, Sportsnet staff now being told what @yyzsportsmedia tweeted minutes ago: Senior VP hockey production Gord Cutler gone. More coming.

David Shoalts ‏@dshoalts 19m19 minutes ago
A financial decision to fire Rogers senior VP of hockey production Gord Cutler. His position eliminated. Ad revenue obviously way down.

David Shoalts ‏@dshoalts 16m16 minutes ago
But the timing of Gord Cutler's dismissal very odd. On eve of playoffs. A sign of much turmoil in Rogers Media.

David Shoalts ‏@dshoalts 15m15 minutes ago
The main topic of conversation among Sportsnet hockey staffers, I'm told, concerns possibility of more firings when NHL season ends.

David Shoalts ‏@dshoalts 12m12 minutes ago
Rogers execs may talk good game about taking long view of NHL TV deal. But when Cdn teams flop and ad revenue vanishes, people get fired.

David Shoalts ‏@dshoalts 11m11 minutes ago
Three people drove Rogers NHL TV deal: ex-CEO Nadir Mohammed, ex-RM Media prez Keith Pelley, Sportsnet prez Scott Moore. & then there was 1.

David Shoalts ‏@dshoalts 6m6 minutes ago
No one should expect any high-profile on-air people to leave just yet. But Cutler was not the first behind-scenes hockey person to go.

[Senator Clay Davis]

And thus the cost cutting begins. I imagine digital ads for national games are not too far down the road. Sportsnet gets what it deserves for badly overbidding for the rights. Too bad we're going to get a worse product because of it.

[Toonage]

I honestly do wonder if they can sub contract some games? Or do they go back to the NHL to rework the deal and get Bell media/TSN to the table? This can't go on for 10 years if its crumbling at the end of year 2. Maybe they keep Saturday and the national games on Wednesday and thats it? Sell the regional rights for the teams they do have?