I get that but it's probably not helping curb the amount of people that change the channel at intermissions. Lots of folks seem to be turned off by the amount of gambling being promoted. Anecdotal but I have talked to several people that have told me they watch less and less hockey because of it.
This 100% describes me. Gambling addiction is real, and I certainly don't want my kid seeing it. Unlike alcohol, you don't just grab your phone and push a button and have a bottle suddenly appear in front of you.
It's one thing to show commercials, and I'm fine with that - but they talk about it during the play, and during short stoppages.
I have some alternative means that allow just the live feed without commentary or commercials, and regrettably that's by far the majority of my viewing time now. I'd much rather pay for a league endorsed version.
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Never forget that Hextall was fantastic, but she dared speak negatively about the Oilers, who's star player has a huge endorsement from Rogers so they turfed her.
Be prepared for the intermissions to be one analyst fellating McDavid, no host, gambling ads and just rerun clips of McDavid. Absolutely no discussion or highlights of the game being played.
For me I ALWAYS turn off the intermission sound and stream something more interesting and educational on my iPad. I almost break out in hives when Ron McLean comes on….that guys is such a shallow keener d- - k! As with others I don’t mind Bieksa and Botterill but can’t be bothered stressing myself with the other talking heads idiots on HNIC!
Absolutely it's a $$ thing. What I think is playing out across the industry, and all talent levels is talent is being told "we can't pay you what we have been. We can pay you x instead." And talent is choosing it's not worth it. A guy like Bieksa isn't going to accept being under valued.
There will be a continual erosion of talent in the business because they are not willing to pay for it.
I didn't watch a single minute of HNIC last season. I always changed the channel or did something else in the intermission.
The only Sportsnet content I did watch is most of the playoff series with Steve Dangle on Youtube as it was much more interesting watching a live stream with fan rather than a bunch of irritating sportscasters calling the game and talking about it between commercial breaks.
For younger fans, I think that's the direction broadcasting might need to go, where it's more like a Twitch stream or reaction stream with other fans and friends.
Steve Dangle decided not to continue with Sportsnet, they probably also didn't want to pay him.
I have some alternative means that allow just the live feed without commentary or commercials, and regrettably that's by far the majority of my viewing time now. I'd much rather pay for a league endorsed version.
"Mute" even on TV works pretty well, too. I read during ads if the game is intense and I'm watching, but also play music too through a game. I turn on sound only if I want to find out what's going on (usually a penalty discussion or error, challenge etc). Otherwise....I don't want to listen to the blabber.
And streamiing...no different, but often interesting to hear the other team's game calls.
To be honest, they should have kept Strombo and let him develop his own thing. Instead, they panic and re-hire McLean.
Amber's ok, but a little too vanilla. I don't fault him for the McDavid pump ups. I think it's a mandate from SN to do so. Plus, guy is usually pretty impartial in spreading his love to all Canadian teams, Flames included. I think it's more of a case of fans of teams will only hear what they choose to hear.
I know its not a popular opinion, but I tend to agree with this. Did they think that their primary audience was Octogenarians so they had to run back home to Momma MacLean?
David Amber?
I dislike Amber for a number of reasons, firstly because he's just another pom-pom waving Oilers fanboy which is annoying enough, but mostly because he's vacuous. He doesnt know anything or have a genuine, honest opinion on anything other than how great the Oilers are.
He's just an empty mouth-piece, a puppet. Sportsnet Corp has their hand so far up his ass you can see their fingers when his lips move.
Axing or low-balling Bieksa was a mistake, he was the only one willing to really discuss situations with honesty and the only one with recent NHL experience, but I understand if he doesnt want to work for peanuts.
And holding Friedman as some high standard and 'untouchable?' That guy has been next to useless for years now. Just another puppet of the network, I bet he still has information and contacts but he's not allowed to say any of it, so he just toes the Company Line and gets to keep his seat.
Thats why Friedman gets to stay, because he does as he's told and has a reputation that he can tread on.
__________________ The Beatings Shall Continue Until Morale Improves!
This Post Has Been Distilled for the Eradication of Seemingly Incurable Sadness.
The World Ends when you're dead. Until then, you've got more punishment in store. - Flames Fans
If you thought this season would have a happy ending, you haven't been paying attention.
I know its not a popular opinion, but I tend to agree with this. Did they think that their primary audience was Octogenarians so they had to run back home to Momma MacLean?
David Amber?
I dislike Amber for a number of reasons, firstly because he's just another pom-pom waving Oilers fanboy which is annoying enough, but mostly because he's vacuous. He doesnt know anything or have a genuine, honest opinion on anything other than how great the Oilers are.
He's just an empty mouth-piece, a puppet. Sportsnet Corp has their hand so far up his ass you can see their fingers when his lips move.
Axing or low-balling Bieksa was a mistake, he was the only one willing to really discuss situations with honesty and the only one with recent NHL experience, but I understand if he doesnt want to work for peanuts.
And holding Friedman as some high standard and 'untouchable?' That guy has been next to useless for years now. Just another puppet of the network, I bet he still has information and contacts but he's not allowed to say any of it, so he just toes the Company Line and gets to keep his seat.
Thats why Friedman gets to stay, because he does as he's told and has a reputation that he can tread on.
Friedman stays due to podcasting and his partnership with Marek.
__________________
Watching the Oilers defend is like watching fire engines frantically rushing to the wrong fire
Is there no new blood in color commentators? Are we still stuck with Millen and Garrett
Theres no money in it.
The 'Old Guard' are trying to scratch and claw to hold on to the jobs they have, where are the entry level positions going to come from and who would want to do it?
The evolution of that industry, or more accurately the devolution of that industry has been insane.
__________________ The Beatings Shall Continue Until Morale Improves!
This Post Has Been Distilled for the Eradication of Seemingly Incurable Sadness.
The World Ends when you're dead. Until then, you've got more punishment in store. - Flames Fans
If you thought this season would have a happy ending, you haven't been paying attention.
The 'Old Guard' are trying to scratch and claw to hold on to the jobs they have, where are the entry level positions going to come from and who would want to do it?
The evolution of that industry, or more accurately the devolution of that industry has been insane.
Crazy. Hockey would never find a Tony Romo or a Greg Olson or an A-Rod. They can have new play by play people like Singh, but the analyst is so sacred even though the same's changed, we still have the same dinosaurs telling us what happened.
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Watching the Oilers defend is like watching fire engines frantically rushing to the wrong fire
The 'Old Guard' are trying to scratch and claw to hold on to the jobs they have, where are the entry level positions going to come from and who would want to do it?
The evolution of that industry, or more accurately the devolution of that industry has been insane.
I think the industry needs to evolve into this which Sportsnet experimented with, I found this so much more engaging than the talking heads of HNIC or boring octogenarian color commentations through the game.
Some people find Steve Dangle annoying but just knowing he was a dyed in (blue) wool Leafs fans watching his team implode against Florida was gripping entertainment.
They are dumb if they get rid of Boterill. Her technical knowledge, keen observations, and ability to articulate it clearly to the audience are among the best in the industry in my opinion.
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