CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada window set to close

[calgaryred]

Originally Posted by The Yen Man

I'm not sure if this is a big deal or not now that we have satellite TV, but does TSN have free to air like CBC? Can people who live in rural areas still watch the games?

Its a digital age unless you have cable, or satellite you can't get CBC, the days of the rabbit years have been over for a couple years now.

[Flames89]

Originally Posted by The Yen Man

I'm not sure if this is a big deal or not now that we have satellite TV, but does TSN have free to air like CBC? Can people who live in rural areas still watch the games?

This is the problem. TSN is an extra add-on to cable and there are quite a few lower income families that will not pay up for it.
The NHL cant grow the game and its revenues like the MLB.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by calgaryred

Its a digital age unless you have cable, or satellite you can't get CBC, the days of the rabbit years have been over for a couple years now.

CBC also streamed their games for free. When you don't have T.V its tough to get a good stream. And NHL Gamecenter doesnt stream nationaly broadcast games. TSN doesn't stream their games either so there is a bit of a discrepancy.

[The Yen Man]

Originally Posted by calgaryred

Its a digital age unless you have cable, or satellite you can't get CBC, the days of the rabbit years have been over for a couple years now.

But I thought you can still do digital OTA, which now even comes in HD. In fact, it was this forum that made me aware that it was even possible.

[Pontine]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

For the awful product CBC has offered over the last few years, they deserve to lose it. Terrible play-by-play, commentary and panel. PJ Stock, Glen Healy and Kevin Weekes is not a panel.

+1

I'll be sad to see HNIC go, as it's tradition and I grew up watching it, but their broadcast has turned into crap. I used to enjoy the talk during the intermissions, but Don Cherry and the Hotstove Lounge are terrible.

[PeteLFan]

CBC may have crappy commentators like the awful jimmy boy, but they do the whole Saturday night package perfectly, and much better then anything TSN does with James duthie and his quiz master.

You get a pre game, post game, in between game and after hours. Not cutting to sports center so I can watch useless baseball highlights. I'm tuning into watch hockey and coverage on my team not Jennifer hedger masculine self telling me the score to a bluejays game.

TSN never gets post game reaction or coach interviews because they are trying to get off the air ASAP.

The quality in terms of production might be better, but the whole package leaves a lot to be desired on TSN. We probably get abbreviated editions of sports center if there is 20 minutes before the late game starts.

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by PeteLFan

CBC may have crappy commentators like the awful jimmy boy, but they do the whole Saturday night package perfectly, and much better then anything TSN does with James duthie and his quiz master.

You get a pre game, post game, in between game and after hours. Not cutting to sports center so I can watch useless baseball highlights. I'm tuning into watch hockey and coverage on my team not Jennifer hedger masculine self telling me the score to a bluejays game.

TSN never gets post game reaction or coach interviews because they are trying to get off the air ASAP.

The quality in terms of production might be better, but the whole package leaves a lot to be desired on TSN. We probably get abbreviated editions of sports center if there is 20 minutes before the late game starts.

I do like the after hours segement depending on the guest. As for the rest of CBC broadcast i am not so sure. Do i like the "quizz" on TSN? No i do not, but it is no worse than Cherry and his 1970 rants. The hot stove pannel is awful unless Friedman is on it.

The only reason CBC can do all the things you mentioned is because they have nothing else to air. I really don't think they can afford the $200 million price tag.

As for wanting to watch post game media scrums with coaches and players..pass. All they do is say the same cliche lines win or lose. Not sure why you would want to watch that every Saturday night?

[TurnedTheCorner]

No tears shed if this comes to pass.

[PeteLFan]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

I do like the after hours segement depending on the guest. As for the rest of CBC broadcast i am not so sure. Do i like the "quizz" on TSN? No i do not, but it is no worse than Cherry and his 1970 rants. The hot stove pannel is awful unless Friedman is on it.

The only reason CBC can do all the things you mentioned is because they have nothing else to air. I really don't think they can afford the $200 million price tag.

As for wanting to watch post game media scrums with coaches and players..pass. All they do is say the same cliche lines win or lose. Not sure why you would want to watch that every Saturday night?

I enjoy it, I enjoy the after hours segment as well. At least they don't rush to Peter mans bridge and the news hour.

[Street Pharmacist]

I'm sure I'll be in the minority when this passes, but I'll really miss it. Sure TSN does a good job, but I would way rather watch HNiC than Wednesday night hockey regardless of day of the week. HNiC is something to look forward to. Coaches corner, Elliott Friedman, etc are far, far more entertaining than anything TSN has. The traditional camera with is better too. Heck, even the CBC commercials are like soul food; bad for you, but strangely nostalgic.

If it goes to TSN there is no hockey institution. I'd never watch the Leafs play the Canadiens on TSN, but if the next game will be good I'll shoot through and enjoy HNiC. There will no longer be a day of the week to look forward to with regards to hockey. Sad

[Matty81]

I think it would suck if it ends up on TSN and ultimately I think the NHL will be worse off in the long run. TSN is a niche channel that I love as a sports junky but my wife never stops on and a lot of my family don't even subscribe to.

I also made the argument a few years ago in one of these threads (also complete with a few policitcally partisan comments) that the CBC has played a major role in hockey having the profile it does in Canada today, would be a shame to see that relationship between them and the NHL end.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

I'm sure I'll be in the minority when this passes, but I'll really miss it. Sure TSN does a good job, but I would way rather watch HNiC than Wednesday night hockey regardless of day of the week. HNiC is something to look forward to. Coaches corner, Elliott Friedman, etc are far, far more entertaining than anything TSN has. The traditional camera with is better too. Heck, even the CBC commercials are like soul food; bad for you, but strangely nostalgic.

If it goes to TSN there is no hockey institution. I'd never watch the Leafs play the Canadiens on TSN, but if the next game will be good I'll shoot through and enjoy HNiC. There will no longer be a day of the week to look forward to with regards to hockey. Sad

Agreed. Not to mention there's just something off about TSN, but I can't put my finger on it. Even their playoff coverage feels weird, it seems like their rushing you through the experience or something.

Like how CBC tends to give you this big build up to the game, which makes you feel more into it somehow. They're so much better at capturing the excitement in the build-up in the arena. CBC has the buildup, then one of their amazing montages, then they let the viewer soak up the arena atmosphere as the teams take the ice.

TSN, on the other hand, tends to just have banter in the studio, with no in arena experience until the anthems. They just talk, talk, talk during every moment and make sure to jam their "hockey experts" down your throat the whole night.

I know I'm in the minority, but to me there's nothing better than the way Ron Maclean starts off a game. It's like he said in his book "Nobody in this business is bigger than the game, so let it take centre stage"

I just love how after the montage, he'll say a few words and then go "The next voice you hear will be PA announcer "X", it's game one between the Bruins and Canadiens.........enjoy". And then everything goes silent except the sounds of the game starting that you would hear in the arena. Just awesome.

[La Flames Fan]

I can't wait to see more commercials and the tradition of cutting away to Sportscentre IMMEDIATELY after the horn...!!! Awesome!

[kn]

I'm another who will not shed a tear when this is moved to TSN. The production quality is so much better as is their panel (Friedman being the only exception). Hopefully they can entice him over as they did with Cuthbert.

[PeteLFan]

Glad to see I'm not in the minority. CBC gives you the playoff feel, and other then regional coverage in sports net it does a good job of covering the team playing not Toronto 24/7, along with a silly quiz.

I like the type arena atmosphere before a playoff game the anthem the pa announcer the fans chanting. What I don't enjoy is James duthie and his lame ass jokes and pompous Darren dregger with his insight about nothing at all.

Welcome to hockey night in Canada on TSN 2, because TSN needs to air sports centre.

Sunday night hockey only works in January when the NFL season comes to a end just like NBA launches Sunday afternoon games too.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by PeteLFan

Glad to see I'm not in the minority. CBC gives you the playoff feel, and other then regional coverage in sports net it does a good job of covering the team playing not Toronto 24/7, along with a silly quiz.

I like the type arena atmosphere before a playoff game the anthem the pa announcer the fans chanting. What I don't enjoy is James duthie and his lame ass jokes and pompous Darren dregger with his insight about nothing at all.

Welcome to hockey night in Canada on TSN 2, because TSN needs to air sports centre.

Sunday night hockey only works in January when the NFL season comes to a end just like NBA launches Sunday afternoon games too.

I think part of it for me is everyone talks up TSN "production" and "panel" as being light years ahead of CBC, and I honestly just don't see it. I think it has to do with me as a hockey fan as well. I consider myself to be fairly knowledgeable so I find I don't really notice any difference between the "experts".

To me they're all just guys saying a bunch of stuff I already know. Whether it's Dregger and Mackenzie or Stock and Freidman, it's all filler for me anyways, and at least the CBC guys tend to joke around a bit more and laugh at themselves, as opposed to TSN's always serious "we are the best in the business and take this seriously" tone.

[TurnedTheCorner]

Originally Posted by Matty81

I think it would suck if it ends up on TSN and ultimately I think the NHL will be worse off in the long run. TSN is a niche channel that I love as a sports junky but my wife never stops on and a lot of my family don't even subscribe to.

I'm curious about this, as I seem to recall (perhaps incorrectly) that TSN (not necessarily TSN2) is included in every basic cable TV package from any TV provider in Canada, at least in major urban centres. I would imagine you would have to actively opt out of it to be non-subscribed.

[trackercowe]

Originally Posted by PeteLFan

Glad to see I'm not in the minority. CBC gives you the playoff feel, and other then regional coverage in sports net it does a good job of covering the team playing not Toronto 24/7, along with a silly quiz.

Really? Isn't the CBC airing a Leafs game practically every night this upcoming season? I'd say with Cherry and Healy on board the CBC designates much more time on average to the Leafs than TSN does. Also with TSN having TSN2 you will actually be able to watch other 5:00 games almost every week whenever the Habs, Sens, or Jets are playing. You couldn't do that with CBC unless you wanted to watch it stream, or had a fancy cable package I suppose.

Also if TSN does get HNIC they probably will change their current format on Saturday's to what CBC offers now. They will add more pre and post game coverage, and not cut straight to Sportcenter like they do on other nights. Just because they do that now does not mean they won't make some changes if they can acquire the rights. They know what Canadians want on Saturday's, wall to wall hockey coverage, and they can throw Sportscenter and other crap on TSN2 if need be.

I honestly can't think of one major reason why I would want CBC to retain the rights. Maybe just because they stream games online for free, but TSN might start doing that as well (they already have occasionally). Everything is better on TSN from the production values, to the commentators, even the theme music. Sure it would be a jarring change for a year or two, but you'd get used to it eventually. Also considering TSN/CTV have real money to spend maybe they'd venture out to find a few more veteran analysts (coaches, former players, etc), and we wouldn't be forced to listen to Healy/Stock/Weekes every night.

I would just hope TSN would go after Friedman and maybe Hughson to join their team going forward.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by calgaryred

Its a digital age unless you have cable, or satellite you can't get CBC, the days of the rabbit years have been over for a couple years now.

Wrong, in fact OTA broadcasts are still going and now in glorious HD. In fact the quality is usually higher than what your television provider gives.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Good. Less excuses for taxpayer money to be wasted on it. It's time to let HNIC go to a private broadcaster.

Do you want to try and back that up with some facts? I'll be waiting.