[News] Sportsnet signs 12 year $5.2 billion for NHL CDN Broadcast rights.

[TurnedTheCorner]

CBC reporter asks about playoffs being divvied up.

Rogers Media - plan is to have SC finals on CBC. If Canadian team makes SC finals, it might be simulcast on all Rogers channels and platforms as appropriate.

CBC expects Rogers to tap into HNIC resources for HNIC broadcasts, possibly for other games. CBC will see how it can match Rogers needs.

[TurnedTheCorner]

Reporter with money question for Gary - asking about expansion in Canada or elsewhere?

Bettman indicates usual answer - expressions of interest out there, NHL not pursuing or addressing in short term.

[GirlySports]

remember we get TVA but not TVA Sports.. maybe we'll get it now.

[taxbuster]

Why does Gary Bettman always speak with his eyes closed?

[TurnedTheCorner]

Originally Posted by taxbuster

Why does Gary Bettman always speak with his eyes closed?

He can answer these questions in his sleep.

[Zarley]

At first I was happy that CBC was able to hang onto HNiC, but it's sounding more and more like it will be a watered down version. Has there been any indication of what happens to HNiC after 4 years?

[mykalberta]

Ive always wondered why TSN and CTV wouldnt try some sort of combined bid. I wonder if maybe they tried but wanted CBC out of the picture and the NHL was warry to do that.

[Stay Golden]

expansion to Canada question, Bettman shoots it down

[GirlySports]

You don't have to watch the leafs on saturday anymore!

[TurnedTheCorner]

Macleans magazine - reporter asks about deal coming together, and about HNIC brand on Rogers platforms.

Bettman - negotiations were very recent and came together in a very short amount of time. NHL very comfortable with Rogers bid. Terms and details came together in a matter of days. A testament to Rogers on how deal came together.

Rogers Media about HNIC brand - this was imperative in Rogers discussion with CBC. Brand expanded, example HNIC on CBC, HNIC on City, HNIC on Sportsnet (depending on games on national weekend windows).

[Bertuzzied]

I hope Bettman tells us why they chose Rogers over Bell if the numbers were almost the same.

[corporatejay]

I wonder if CBC will sell/license the HNIC brand to Rogers after the 4 years.

[PeteMoss]

That Stanley Cup note is a big coup for Rogers you'd think. They get all of CBC's viewerships and thus big ad rates instead of a potentially smaller audience on Sportsnet.

[Tinordi]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

NHL gamecentre will be sold and marketed by Rogers in Canada

This is big news. Bad news actually.

[nfotiu]

Originally Posted by TurnedTheCorner

CBC reporter asks if this means PPV hockey is coming.

Rogers Media responds that no pricing has been considered. Wants fans to have choices, mentioned a la carte delivery as is being discussed in the industry. Rogers Media says this will evolve over time, but fundamentally it is about given fans as much choice as possible.

That just really sounds like they will go the direction of tsn-jets and $10/month to watch the Flames next year in Calgary.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by taxbuster

Why does Gary Bettman always speak with his eyes closed?

If he looked right at you, he would hypnotize us.

[TurnedTheCorner]

CP asking about sharing brand on different channels, will format be the same, etc.

HNIC will carry all Saturday games. In past, CBC would split some broadcasts into regions (ex. Quebec only). Rogers will have all Canadian Saturday night games to be available nationally.

Reporter follows up - will Cherry appear on HINC on other channels? Talent could appear on any networks carrying HNIC platform. Cherry, Hughson, Cole, etc. metioned - but editorial discussions with CBC haven't started. Intent is that content goes across all networks.

[taxbuster]

Bettman talking a lot about the "choice" available to fans -- multiple games on multiple networks at the same time -- lots of options for consumption. If one game gets out of hand, switch to another that's going into OT. (Unsaid: provided that the consumer pays for all those networks/streams/channels etc.)

[TurnedTheCorner]

Bettman compares Saturday night to Olympics - if events on multiple channels, you pick what you want. Same thing applies to Saturday night.

Asked if Centre Ice package becomes obsolete. Rogers Media says no, not every game could be broadcast nationally in Canada even with all the channels they have. Bettman jokes that some games also happen with teams south of the border.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by taxbuster

Bettman talking a lot about the "choice" available to fans -- multiple games on multiple networks at the same time -- lots of options for consumption. If one game gets out of hand, switch to another that's going into OT. (Unsaid: provided that the consumer pays for all those networks/streams/channels etc.)

even with just CBC and City alone, you have more than what you have now on Saturday night.