Let's Do Something About Sportsnet

[Split98]

Originally Posted by Hot_Flatus

Well sorry to say this but the coverage those networks offered was downright embarrassing all things considered. If your benchmark is to put all your money into broadcasting a select few games a week to a hockey mad market and piggy backing other networks to produce the rest, then that's your problem right there.

Please tell me why a couple typos and one or two sub par commentators in the first week of the season makes your life such a living hell? Would you rather have slightly better production value and have to listen to Robb Kerr again?

Who in this entire thread has ever mentioned once that this has had any impact whatsoever on my life? Get a grip man. Make a valid point without slathering it in hyperbole.

And when was "piggy backing other networks to produce the rest"? Or were you isolating me referencing CBC to make your point, and ignoring the rest.

You make absolutely no sense. When did I ever say I wanted Rob Kerr back.

Here, I'll make my point really clear:

1. Tomorrow will be a great day for me! I won't have any thoughts of hurting myself or others due to the Sportsnet broadcast. I made a great thai chicken bok choy soup for lunch, unaffected by the Sportsnet broadcast.

2. Rogers bought exclusive rights to NHL games played here in Canada, so we no longer have alternatives for Flames games

3. TSN did a great job

4. CBC NHIC was great

5. Typos aren't tolerated in my work, I don't get how it is in theirs

6. NHL facts should be accurate in an NHL broadcast

7. Annoying talking heads should be replaced with tolerable and enjoyable talking heads

Questions?

[theinfinitejar]

Unfortunately complaining about the worthless analysis provided by the likes of Healy isn't going to help at all. If you complain about it that means you're watching and you care about what some nobody hack backup goalie thinks about hockey.

Sports journalism has been dominated by the know-nothing blowhards like Healy and MacLean for forever. These guys have jobs because they rile up fans so easily. They're like the Alex Burrows of sports broadcasting. Watching them and then complaining about them only feeds the monster, the only way to get rid of them is to ignore them and starve them of the attention they need to survive.

If you want to get Rogers' attention you should be changing the channel the second the period is over and don't change back until the game starts again. Let them know that you're doing this and why. Then Rogers might actually think twice about giving Healy a podium to fertilize their multi-million dollar studio.

[driveway]

Originally Posted by Split98

2. Rogers bought exclusive rights to NHL games played here in Canada, so we no longer have alternatives for Flames games

If it really means that much to you, here's how you get around Sportsnet's exclusivity.

1. Buy Gamecentre Live.

2. Install Hola Unblocker for Google Chrome.

3. Tell Gamecentre you're browsing from England.

4. Watch the American feed of any game where we play an American team.

But seriously, Sportsnet has been completely fine. A couple of typos is what we're complaining about a week into their 12-year deal? It's hockey on television in HD, isn't that enough?

[Split98]

Originally Posted by Gaudfather

I normally have a lot of time for Scott Oake but I thought he was real dweeb tonight in his post game interview with Gio. He was saying the Flames were playing rope-a-dope hockey on this road trip - particularly against Chicago and Winnipeg and implying they had no business winning those games.

Then he try's to be funny talking about the "unforgettable" moment in this game and Gio is looking at him trying to figure out what planet he is from. he was referring to Johnny's goal but the way he was asking the questions was just awkward.

Gio of course was a true pro - answered the questions ( once he figured out what Oake was talking about) and kept his cool demeanour.

But c'mon Scott - you have to pick up your game. The interview is on the Sportnet site.

Lol, you aren't kidding. Even the caption of the video is terrible:

GIORDANO LEADS ROPE-A-DOPE AGAINST JETS
Flames captain Mark Giordano got to help his team fight back from an early deficit, and was especially proud to see the skill of Johnny Hockey on display, as Johnny Gaudreau scored his first goal of the season.

Against the Jets? C'mon Sportsnet, it's pretty clear this year that the Jets are a worse team.

[theinfinitejar]

Originally Posted by Split98

4. CBC NHIC was great

5. Typos aren't tolerated in my work, I don't get how it is in theirs


Questions?

Oh, the ironing.

EDIT: I also am Smrt.

[Split98]

Originally Posted by driveway

If it really means that much to you, here's how you get around Sportsnet's exclusivity.

1. Buy Gamecentre Live.

2. Install Hola Unblocker for Google Chrome.

3. Tell Gamecentre you're browsing from England.

4. Watch the American feed of any game where we play an American team.

But seriously, Sportsnet has been completely fine. A couple of typos is what we're complaining about a week into their 12-year deal? It's hockey on television in HD, isn't that enough?

Why is every response needing to be an exaggeration of how much I care about this? I'm in a thread about disliking Sportsnet... talking about how much I dislike Sportsnet

1. I have it, and Sportsnet covers the Jets and Flames...

2. Read the Gamecenter thread, I'm the poster helping people with this

3. I went with Spain

4. I do, and have mentioned that earlier

And honestly, you quoted me explaining that I do think typos and incorrect stats is a big deal. They're professionals, and we didn't have these issues with the broadcasts Sportsnet has taken away. We had TSN, Sportsnet, and CBC fighting to give us the best broadcast and fight for viewers eyes. Now, Sportsnet has exclusive rights... which is terrible, and they are showing a complete lack of polish.

I'll repeat myself again. As a viewer, the only way this exclusive deal would be good is if the product was better. It isn't. So I'm not happy.

[Split98]

Originally Posted by theinfinitejar

Oh, the ironing.

Meh

'Theirs' isn't incorrect btw.

[theinfinitejar]

Originally Posted by Split98

Meh

'Theirs' isn't incorrect btw.

Oops, I read it as thiers, I guess it's a little late for me. Murphry's Law I guess.

Edit: I agree with you btw. Just because they're showing the games doesn't shield them from criticism. They don't show games out of the kindness of their heart.

[Split98]

Originally Posted by theinfinitejar

Oops, I read it as thiers, I guess it's a little late for me. Murphry's Law I guess.

Same. 3:11am here!

[4oh3]

I just can't stand Healy. After tonight it's a joke. When I watch the games it's not fun when people constantly crap on your team for no reason. If they're playing bad you can criticize, everyone realizes when a certain player is playing bad or the team , you can put in your 2 cents no problem. But the Gaudreau comments just rude and when Strombo calls him out he switched the topic to Cox's outfit. I noticed several times Strombo or Cox making a positive point on the flames to have Healy turn it into a negative. Also him saying the flames should have been blown out? Well it was the other way around. Anyone can have there say but he's just so bad.

Principe, Quinn, and Debrusk are terrible too but if any team deserves a horrible TV crew it's the Edmonton Oilers.

Having Ball as our play by play guy is awesome. I thought Hrudey was anti Flames last year but seeing some of these guys this year makes me take it back lol.

I like most of the new people and can't really complain about much other than the stats errors and technical errors. I just wanna watch hockey and they provide it.

[djsFlames]

I was sick of all the apparent hate on the panel guys had for the Flames ages ago. It's just become the norm though. Edmonton can play like stinking horse#### and still do no wrong, at least up until recently now that people are starting to get a clue. We come into a game and put a solid effort than earns us a win and they talk about it like we still shouldn't have won it, and it was some flash in the pan for a team that's inevitably doomed because they don't have enough household names with superstar potential to 'save' them. Seems we have/are/will always be fighting against the grain when it comes to the critics, until the day we're making deep playoff runs with a couple 40 goal scorers in the lineup. I don't know what kind of long, sharp object is shoved up the ####s of guys like Healy but you have to be mentally handicapped if you can't see the positives this team is showing in its structure, work ethic and direction in comparison to other rebuilding teams. I used to hate Hrudey because he'd always bash on our old vet team, but even he has come around since then and can acknowledge the good things that are happening here.

It is ridiculous when it's happening on your own broadcast, though. They can't boot Healy out the door face first fast enough. I can respect criticism on a broadcast that's warranted. But when the guys are ripping on the team seemingly for no good reason, and it's like that game in game out, then there's definitely a problem. I don't want homers the same as I don't want haters. But some objectivity for ONCE would be just really, really nice. Also guys that are up to date on players couldn't hurt. That was embarrassing tonight.

[Split98]

My favourite part about the 'being blown out' comment Healy made is that he honestly looks at the roster of the Jets, and the roster of the Flames and made a unquestionable decision that one was WAY better than the other.

Our 'backup' Ramo is miles more stable than Pavelic and they have nothing close to Brodie, let alone Giordano. I'm lost as to how anyone can look at the Jets roster and think 'blowout' against ANY team. Seriously, no team should get blown out against the Jets. Maybe the Sabers or Oilers with the way they're playing... but not even that is a given at puck drop.

When the Flames beat Chicago? Absolutely.

[Finger Cookin]

Originally Posted by driveway

It's hockey on television in HD, isn't that enough?

If it is, perhaps this isn't the thread for you.

[skeena1]

Originally Posted by 4oh3

I just can't stand Healy. After tonight it's a joke. When I watch the games it's not fun when people constantly crap on your team for no reason. If they're playing bad you can criticize, everyone realizes when a certain player is playing bad or the team , you can put in your 2 cents no problem. But the Gaudreau comments just rude and when Strombo calls him out he switched the topic to Cox's outfit. I noticed several times Strombo or Cox making a positive point on the flames to have Healy turn it into a negative. Also him saying the flames should have been blown out? Well it was the other way around. Anyone can have there say but he's just so bad.

Principe, Quinn, and Debrusk are terrible too but if any team deserves a horrible TV crew it's the Edmonton Oilers.

Having Ball as our play by play guy is awesome. I thought Hrudey was anti Flames last year but seeing some of these guys this year makes me take it back lol.

I like most of the new people and can't really complain about much other than the stats errors and technical errors. I just wanna watch hockey and they provide it.

Debrusk has been replaced by Drew Remenda.

[4oh3]

Originally Posted by skeena1

Debrusk has been replaced by Drew Remenda.

He was their in the Flames Vs Oilers game and on another just Flames game. Maybe he has a new role.

[getbak]

Debrusk is now an in-studio analyst. I don't know if he's only working Oiler games. I think I've only seen him so far during Oiler broadcasts, so we can hope he doesn't pollute any Flames broadcasts.

Remenda is now the Oiler colour guy.


Based on the few games I've heard so far with the Canucks, Oilers, and Habs regional teams, the Flames definitely have the best regional team on Sportsnet this year (I haven't seen any Leaf regional games, but I believe they still have that "Holy Mackinaw" guy).

[Enoch Root]

I am shocked at how many people are giving Sportsnet a pass and dismissing the analysts as 'trying to generate controversy and site-hits'.

First of all, the sets, the production, the play-by-play, and most of the in-game production have been very good - or at least fine. And with it all being new, I give them some time to iron out the glitches and get their game in shape.

However, the garbage that is being passed on as analytics is beyond reprehensible.

Cox is unprepared and adds nothing. McLean is dumber than a sack of hammers. I can't even remember the name of that moron who does intermissions on most Flame regional telecasts, but he is often factually wrong and again, adds nothing.

*Edit: Shannon*

Healy however, is on a completely different level of incompetent. He is grating, petty, over-bearing, obnoxious, and thoroughly unlikable. And he is completely devoid of incite. But worst of all, when he is flat out wrong (which happens pretty much every single night), he only gets more obnoxious and more over-bearing.

Before you rebutt with things like 'he generates discussion', think about the NFL. Three major networks each do several hours of coverage each Sunday, utilizing 5-10 analysts each. Every one of them is professional, classy, prepared, and inciteful.

There is no need for - nor tolerance of - the kind of garbage that Healy brings to the table. There is none of it.

And yes, HNIC was guilty of the same thing, and so was TSN at times. Guys like Mackenzie and Friedman are fantastic, and always maintain a level of class and professionalism. They understand that it is about the story, not about them.

But for some reason, so may hockey 'analysts', with Healy as their flag-bearer, seem to think that covering games on national television is their chance to air their personal, petty views on particular players and particular teams, along with a perception that making stupid, controversial statements, is somehow 'entertaining'. They seem to think that it is about them, not about the game.

It is sad. And it is embarassing.

/rant

[PeteMoss]

Football does the exact same thing (or at least tries). Its not like Randy Moss/Ray Lewis/Keyshawn Johnson are there for their smart ideas. Healy is just a better troll than any of them.

[howard_the_duck]

This will be an unpopular opinion but I actually agree with Healy. Anointing him "Johnny Hockey" already places him on some legendary mantle and I don't blame media types for being a little hesitant to do so.

I think the nickname is actually counterproductive to his development. It places a target on his back - by both players and the media alike. Overcoming his size is enough of an obstacle that IMO this "Johnny Hockey" hoopla is something that's become a distraction.

[edn88]

I am not emotionally vested enough in the TV (or radio broadcast) of a hockey game to even think about sending feedback.

I don't listen to the talking heads in between periods (except for the occasional bit to see what Don Cherry is up to) and largly ignore the broadcast team and just watch the game.

The only thing I do care about is the quality of the broadcast image and good replays.

I do like the Sportsnet out of town scoreboard page that they have been using that shows all the scores at once.