[Rumour] Ron Maclean to replace George Stromboulopoulos on HNIC

[Zarley]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

I'm good with that plan except #11. I've been tired of Cherry for 15 years. Get rid of him.

I think you're in the minority. Even if they hate the guy, many people tune in just to watch him.

While I think he's lost a bit of his step in recent years, you have to admit that he's a fantastic television personality.

[dustygoon]

Originally Posted by Table 5

My 5-minute, 11-point plan to improve HNIC.


2. Shoot Healy out of a cannon.
4. Bring back smart people like Duhatchek to be occasional guests. Or better yet, bring back Satellite Hot Stove (no Strachan though please).

2. you should reload and include Cox

4. totally agree. hot stove is old but that is what is great about it. the name even sounds dusty and legendary.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by Zarley

I think you're in the minority. Even if they hate the guy, many people tune in just to watch him.

While I think he's lost a bit of his step in recent years, you have to admit that he's a fantastic television personality.

I think he's very good at what he does but I find his opinions to be bordering on offensive at times.
He's a shtick. A dated one at that.

[Table 5]

I think Cherry is just one of those guys that's too ingrained with HNIC and hockey in this country to actively push aside. His presence these days is fairly harmless, but he has a die-hard fan base, and probably still makes CBC good money. I doubt he'll be on for more than a few more years, and it's probably just not worth the negative publicity to kick him off at this stage....the people who don't respect him stopped listening years ago anyway.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by dustygoon

2. you should reload and include Cox

Good call, totally forgot about him. Fire away.

[Zarley]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

I think he's very good at what he does but I find his opinions to be bordering on offensive at times.
He's a shtick. A dated one at that.

Agreed, but I like the shtick. You never know what borderline offensive thing he's going to say. Plus I think it's good to have a traditionalist as a counterpoint to the anti-fighting, soccer-on-ice guys like Cox.

[GirlySports]

All looks good, i would repeat what I added above, invite the occasional non-hockey guests.

American journalists love hockey. Everyone from Simmons, Olbermann, Morosi, Deitsch, Rovell. Everytime they're on FAN590 they sneak in hockey references.

And get hip hockey guys that people associate with. Who was the hockey writer for Grantland? McIndoe? Get him. Get Lozo and Wyshynski from Yahoo. Jonah Keri the baseball analytics guy is from Montreal and a huge HABS fan.

[GoJetsGo]

Needs more Bill Burr live via satellite.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

All looks good, i would repeat what I added above, invite the occasional non-hockey guests.

American journalists love hockey. Everyone from Simmons, Olbermann, Morosi, Deitsch, Rovell. Everytime they're on FAN590 they sneak in hockey references.

And get hip hockey guys that people associate with. Who was the hockey writer for Grantland? McIndoe? Get him. Get Lozo and Wyshynski from Yahoo. Jonah Keri the baseball analytics guy is from Montreal and a huge HABS fan.

I like the idea of getting more print journalists involved. But there is a skill to TV punditry. You need to be able to get your point across in 15-20 seconds. Even an old pro like Duhatschek has trouble keeping his answers short.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

I like the idea of getting more print journalists involved. But there is a skill to TV punditry. You need to be able to get your point across in 15-20 seconds. Even an old pro like Duhatschek has trouble keeping his answers short.

Definitely or just give them longer segments now that Healy and Cox are gone.
Get them in the 4:00 hour. TV takes getting used to but each of these special guests may come only twice a season.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by Table 5

My 5-minute, 11-point plan to improve HNIC.

Amazing. Slam dunk and it all seems pretty easy to accomplish.

They'd never do it, because that would ACTUALLY be doing what people want, but I would be so into Table 5 Presents: Sportsnet Hockey

[GioforPM]

I didn't mind George, and I've disliked Maclean for years - too smarmy and smug. I agree that this wasn't given enough of a shot, and that he's taking the fall for a season of crappy Canadian teams.

Going forward - give Leah a shot! And let Jackie Redmond on the panel just because.

[TopChed]

They should hire Greg Wyshynski, but I'm not sure they'd put an American front and centre on HNIC.

[taxbuster]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Why would Bettman be fuming? The NHL is getting paid regardless. Sportsnet's internal issues aren't really his concern for another decade. Also, bringing MacLean back into the hosting role will allow him to resume his annual tradition of ragdolling MacLean in their All-Star Game interview.

Because Bettman apparently hates Ron MacLean because Ron was a big - and very vocal - defender and supporter of the players during the lockout.

Gary didn't like that and so the story goes, when he got his chance to get Ron booted out, he voiced his opinion.

[MarkGio]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

Yeah, neither should Blockbuster.

Sports are carrying cords because it's a live event. Not the same thing as a production being released and now at the mercy of the market for the next year.

Now that live sports are being pirated streamed, sportsnet has to choose between making their event good for all audiences, or good for paying audiences, which is still largely your old corded crowd.

[Jordan!]

That guy was terrible.. Good move for CBC or whoever is doing that broadcast these days

[taxbuster]

Originally Posted by Table 5

My 5-minute, 11-point plan to improve HNIC.

6. Buy back the HNIC song. Because this song should be ingrained in every Canadian child.
7. Cut Hometown Hockey to save money...because does anyone really watch this?
8. Put Hometown hockey money into exploring new technological innovations to showcase game.
9. Give Strombo some role that includes interviews (ie. a weekly in depth profile on people in and around the game) and ability to explore new mediums.

Big YES to #6!!

#7/8 - Ron likes Hometown Hockey - I suspect it doesn't cost a lot to run and it's a great way to involve all sorts of people who don't live in major urban areas (like me in super-rural BC). If Ron showed up here, I'd be going to see him.

I'm pretty meh on #9 -- maybe he just needs to work in a 1-on-1 environment where he generally excels, so maybe that's a good choice in the end. Dunno.

I'd add #12: Get less Toronto-centric and maybe have guest editions in each Canadian NHL city from time to time with THEIR local sports people.

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by Table 5

My 5-minute, 11-point plan to improve HNIC.

1. Keep Friedman, Hrudey, and Kypreos on your main panel.
2. Shoot Healy out of a cannon.
3. If need be, hire Francis as your contrarian/lighting rod.
4. Bring back smart people like Duhatchek to be occasional guests. Or better yet, bring back Satellite Hot Stove (no Strachan though please).
5. Lure back Chris Cuthbert.
6. Buy back the HNIC song. Because this song should be ingrained in every Canadian child.
7. Cut Hometown Hockey to save money...because does anyone really watch this?
8. Put Hometown hockey money into exploring new technological innovations to showcase game.
9. Give Strombo some role that includes interviews (ie. a weekly in depth profile on people in and around the game) and ability to explore new mediums.
10. Give Leah Hextall a bigger national role, and maybe groom her to replace Maclean in a decade.
11. Keep Cherry, but phase out role after he is done. That type of guy is not someone you can just replace.

So Rogers spent bazillions of dollars trying to improve the broadcast when all they had to do was pay you a case of beer for your list. Or just peruse CP and they'd get all the info they need.

Man, I really do miss Satellite Hotstove. And the HNIC jingle. And Cuthy.

[Tacopuck]

I guess I'm in the minority that actually liked Strombo. Oh well.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by Bouw N Arrow

That guy was terrible.. Good move for CBC or whoever is doing that broadcast these days

Clearly you watched.