NBC/NBCSN to broadcast 106 games next year

[gallione11]

An opening night doubleheader on NBCSN on Wednesday, Oct. 12, featuring a pair of 2016 Stanley Cup Playoff rematches. The Chicago Blackhawks will host the rival St. Louis Blues at 8 p.m. ET, followed by a matchup between the Los Angeles Kings and defending Western Conference champion San Jose Sharks at 10:30 p.m. ET.

The Pittsburgh Penguins will raise their 2016 Stanley Cup Champion banner to the rafters on NBCSN on Thursday, Oct. 13, at 8 p.m. ET, when they open their season at home against the Washington Capitals in a rematch of their 2016 Second Round playoff series.

NBC will present the 2017 NHL Winter Classic between the Chicago Blackhawks and St. Louis Blues from Busch Stadium in St. Louis, home of Major League Baseball’s St. Louis Cardinals, on Jan. 2, 2017, at 1 p.m. ET.

NBC will air exclusive coverage of the 2017 NHL Centennial Classic between the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs from BMO Field in Toronto on Jan. 1, 2017, at 3 p.m. ET, and the 2017 NHL Stadium Series between the Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins from Heinz Field, home of the NFL’s Pittsburgh Steelers, on Feb. 25, 2017, in primetime.

NBCSN will present coverage of the NHL All-Star Game from STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, Calif., home of the Los Angeles Kings. NHL All-Star will take place Saturday, Jan. 28 and Sunday, Jan. 29, and will include the NHL All-Star Skills Competition™ and the NHL All-Star Game.

NBC and NBCSN will combine to showcase a quadrupleheader on Hockey Day In America on Sunday, February 19. The action starts on NBC at 12:30 p.m. ET, when the Capitals host the Rangers, followed by the Red Wings and Penguins at 3 p.m. ET.Hockey Day In America shifts to NBCSN at 6 p.m. ET, when the Buffalo Sabres host the Blackhawks, and concludes with the final matchup of the day at 8:30 p.m. ET, when the Sharks host the Boston Bruins.

The 2016-17 regular season on NBCSN will feature 24 Wednesday Night Rivalry telecasts, plus six Wednesday Nightcaps that will showcase Western Conference teams, including the Ducks, Kings, and Sharks. WNR will feature the biggest rivalries in the NHL, including Penguins-Capitals, Blues-Blackhawks, and Rangers-Islanders.

NBCSN will air 11 Sunday Night Hockey matchups on NBCSN, beginning on January 8. Matchups include Wild-Blackhawks, Flyers-Rangers, and Canadiens-Bruins, the most-played rivalry in NHL history.

The Blackhawks lead all clubs with 21 total appearances on NBC and NBCSN, followed by the Flyers with 20, and the Rangers and Bruins with 16 appearances apiece, respectively. *Note: some games are subject to local blackouts*

Capitals-Penguins, Kings-Sharks, and Flyers-Rangers are the most featured regular-season matchups, each appearing four times across NBC and NBCSN.

At least 54 of NBC and NBCSN’s 106 telecasts will feature at least one Western Conference team, and every U.S. team will appear on NBC or NBCSN in the regular season.

http://nhl.nbcsports.com/2016/07/21/...ith-key-dates/

Unsurprisingly, only 6 / 106 feature a Canadian team: 5 Canadiens games and 1 Toronto game (The outdoor one).

[TheScorpion]

Without reading I assume there will be a total of zero Flames/Oilers/Jets/Senators/Canucks games.

[gallione11]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

Without reading I assume there will be a total of zero Flames/Oilers/Jets/Senators/Canucks games.

That would be correct!

[polak]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

Without reading I assume there will be a total of zero Flames/Oilers/Jets/Senators/Canucks games.

Why would they show small market Canadian teams?

[GirlySports]

it still amazes me how they never show San Jose or Tampa Bay. The two best sunbelt markets.

[hwy19man]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

it still amazes me how they never show San Jose or Tampa Bay. The two best sunbelt markets.

I understand what you are implying, but, the Sharks are on eleven times nationally and the Lightning seven times.

[Resolute 14]

It is honestly surprising how often Montreal ends up on NBC(SN). The Habs usually get 4-6 games every year.

[hwy19man]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

It is honestly surprising how often Montreal ends up on NBC(SN). The Habs usually get 4-6 games every year.

Part of the reason is that former chairman of NBC Sports, Dick Ebersol, likes the Habs.

[BigRed]

Arguably the best American star plays for Calgary. You'd think Johnny Hockey would hold some interest for US viewers.

[FireGilbert]

I'd go with Nashville as the biggest snub with only 2 games. A good team that just acquired one of the league's best players and has a similar media market size to Pittsburgh should receive more attention.

[dobbles]

its sad that more canadian teams arent featured on national games. i personally dont care as i get center ice so i can watch those random tuesday night panthers-hurricanes games. but for the casual fans, it would be nice for them to at least have a chance to see all the teams.

[CMPunk]

Originally Posted by BigRed

Arguably the best American star plays for Calgary. You'd think Johnny Hockey would hold some interest for US viewers.

I'm sure they're more interested in players on their own teams or the players in the bigger markets. Johnny is a big deal to us, but until he does something big for Team USA on a big scale, I doubt he gets the recognition he deserves.

[tfi racing]

I'm surprised they broadcast any NHL games at all,outside of the Cup finals,dog shows,badminton and cricket get higher ratings on American sports networks...

[Madrox]

Originally Posted by BigRed

Arguably the best American star plays for Calgary. You'd think Johnny Hockey would hold some interest for US viewers.

How much do you care when Sidney Crosby plays a team you don't care about?

[Da_Chief]

Originally Posted by Madrox

How much do you care when Sidney Crosby plays a team you don't care about?

Does it matter? Crosby still gets forced down our throats. That being said, he's won a lot more as well and is the best player i the game.

It does surprise me though, you'd think game Flames against one of Boston/Philly/Rangers/Hawks would be on national TV. One of their bigger markets and one of best upcoming US player. He is a big deal down there but who cares, we'll get to watch him.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by BigRed

Arguably the best American star plays for Calgary. You'd think Johnny Hockey would hold some interest for US viewers.

The number of viewers players like Gaudreau and McDavid would bring to an NBCSN broadcast is pretty much negligible compared to just airing games between two big name American teams.

[CroFlames]

Still the best broadcast in hockey.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

The number of viewers players like Gaudreau and McDavid would bring to an NBCSN broadcast is pretty much negligible compared to just airing games between two big name American teams.

gotta sacrifice that sometimes though for the greater long term. Have Gaudreau, McDavid and Matthews play the big American teams.

Ok not on NBC right away but to not even feature them on NBCSN just because they don't play for a big team is crazy.

[GirlySports]

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

gotta sacrifice that sometimes though for the greater long term. Have Gaudreau, McDavid and Matthews play the big American teams.

Ok not on NBC right away but to not even feature them on NBCSN just because they don't play for a big team is crazy.

Yeah.

It's a catch22 as it stands: they don't air the Canadian teams on US television, so the US market isn't familiar with them. And the US market isn't familiar with them, so the broadcasters won't show them.

If you promote the young stars, and get them on, the familiarity grows, and then the problem of having small market, or Canadian teams in the finals gets drastically reduced.

The NFL learned this - once all games for all teams were being aired, the small market issue completely disappeared.