[News] Kypreos leaving Sportsnet

[Corral]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

These aren't just token layoffs as these guys were major parts of RSN's weekly NHL broadcasts. Is there some sort of minimum standard they have to uphold in their NHL contract in regards to presentation?

if there is one, its a pretty low standard given the local broadcast is just about the same quality as what the CFAC channel 2&7 produced in the 1980s. The national broadcast is obviously better thanks to the CBC crew they brought over.

[flamingred89]

More evidence that SN vastly overpaid for the NHL rights. It's clear that they aren't willing/able to pay for talent and production value right now. And that's not an endorsement for Kypreos, Shannon, or MacLean because I never really liked the 3 of them. It's a shame that that deal happened. It was way better when the 3 networks were splitting duties(TSN, SN, CBC).

[TheAlpineOracle]

Wasn’t a fan of Kypreos or Shannon, but what kind of amateur hour will sportsnet be rolling out for NHL coverage this year?

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Is it happening with TSN? They don't have the national contract so you could excuse them from cutting a lot of talent but you never see them let go of their long tenured NHL guys.

I don't know this for sure but my theory is that TSN is managing their costs by having a broader range of talent/analysts to draw from - so I think they are paying less but asking less of everyone. It seems like their CFL and NHL panels now have a much broader range of people depending on what night you watch.

But overall there hasn't been the same degradation in the product. TSN was always a step ahead of SN - and the gap is now widening. I don't know what SN's long-term plan here is.

TSN even made the investment to bring Jay and Dan back. I'm sure those guys aren't cheap.

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by Barnet Flame

I think Kypreos has really become good at the role and offers good insights.

Shannon? He can die in a tire fire for all I care. Preferably one in Edmonton.

That’s a bit harsh.

[Robbob]

Is this not Bob McKenzie's last year? I seem to remember his saying he will retire after this contract. He said he would never have to report on another CBA, which if they opt out is September 2020. I could see a bunch head that way if TSN starts losing some of their older guys to retirement.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by flamingred89

More evidence that SN vastly overpaid for the NHL rights. It's clear that they aren't willing/able to pay for talent and production value right now. And that's not an endorsement for Kypreos, Shannon, or MacLean because I never really liked the 3 of them. It's a shame that that deal happened. It was way better when the 3 networks were splitting duties(TSN, SN, CBC).

It was a complete miscalculation. No doubt they felt that, with all the games on their network, fans would simply stay with Sportsnet to watch the news shows and other content. They thought they would put TSN out of business. But what ended up happening is that TSN (who already had better news/overall coverage), continued to focus on, and improve said coverage, while Sportsnet made no investment in quality. As a result, they didn't get the supplemental viewership that they thought they would get from having the games.

That miscalculation is making the deal a nightmare for them. Really, really bad management.

[Split98]

Kypreos, Shannon, Maclean AND (maybe) Francis?!

It is possible that SN actually wants likeable AND knowledgeable people on the crew?
I turn off blow-hards looking for the hot-take and got tired of knowledgeable guys sneering their point across the table. Maybe it wasn't just me, and SN noticed

[DynastyEra]

Originally Posted by getbak

https://twitter.com/user/status/1166724161248595968







for those with a bad browser...

Spoiler!

Ok 0 up

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

[sa226]

I sometimes wonder if Television hockey analysis has changed or if I've changed.

I used to seek out any and every opinion of the TV talking heads to see what they had to say about my favorite team. I would be glued to TSN and HNIC. Now, I don't really give a poop. It seems everyone except for a select few are just blowhards going for a hot take rather than decent analysis. There's better analysis in print now anyway. Actual opinion backed up by research.

I won't really miss Kypreos and I definitely won't miss Maclean or Shannon.

As for the good ones, Mckenzie is the best. Friedman isn't really a hockey guy, but the perspective he takes as more of a journalist really works for him.

I don't really wan't to lose Hrudey on the local broadcast, but I think he's a way better analyst than a color guy.

[Corral]

Originally Posted by sa226

I sometimes wonder if Television hockey analysis has changed or if I've changed.

I used to seek out any and every opinion of the TV talking heads to see what they had to say about my favorite team. I would be glued to TSN and HNIC. Now, I don't really give a poop. It seems everyone except for a select few are just blowhards going for a hot take rather than decent analysis. There's better analysis in print now anyway. Actual opinion backed up by research.

I won't really miss Kypreos and I definitely won't miss Maclean or Shannon.

As for the good ones, Mckenzie is the best. Friedman isn't really a hockey guy, but the perspective he takes as more of a journalist really works for him.

I don't really wan't to lose Hrudey on the local broadcast, but I think he's a way better analyst than a color guy.

There is still plenty of space for insightful in-game analysis from a panel during the intermission. In a game like hockey - you need the panel for that - because there isn't enough time for it during the play. Unlike in football or baseball where the nature of the game gives commentators time to dissect the last play in real time - hence why the halftime panels in football are more about entertaining than analysis.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by topfiverecords

That’s a bit harsh.

I dont know, if you had to pick a tire-fire at least you could pick one with experience and pride in their tire-fire?

[Flash Walken]

The natural evolution here is that sportsnet is looking to fill intermission time with more commercials.

IMO segments will be shorter with cheaper talent. Cheaper talent justifies using them less which gives you more opportunity to fill the broadcast with advertising which reduces the overall cost of producing a game.

[Toonage]

So can we expect a more varied collection of Telus animals?

Or a closer look into Cassie or Gord's grocery basket?

That seemed like a euphemism. I assure you it wasn't.

[mikeecho]

Originally Posted by Toonage

^ Won't lie, I would love to see Shannon get canned.

Not an insider, not a hockey analyst, just an Oiler shill. Good riddance.

You don't want to hear a former tv producer give his thoughts on why team x is having troubles on the power play?

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by flamingred89

More evidence that SN vastly overpaid for the NHL rights. It's clear that they aren't willing/able to pay for talent and production value right now. And that's not an endorsement for Kypreos, Shannon, or MacLean because I never really liked the 3 of them. It's a shame that that deal happened. It was way better when the 3 networks were splitting duties(TSN, SN, CBC).

I feel the NHL doesn't get enough blame for the current state of Canadian NHL broadcasts. There are few fans in this nation happy about what's transpired since the onset of the deal and it's very clear that the NHL simply does not give a crap.

[Ped]

I think a lot of it is, who wants to sit and watch these guys (or any guys), really? You don't have to tune in to a tv show anymore to watch half-assed analysis. You can get it anywhere; on any forum, any podcast. People are able to find someone they like from a much larger pool, and when the topic turns to something they don't like or don't agree with, they switch to someone else.


This isn't the old days where you had to watch Sportsline with Jim Tatti to get highlights, or watch Hot Stove to get rumours and stories from around the league. You can get anything anywhere and in any format.

[neo45]

Originally Posted by Ped

I think a lot of it is, who wants to sit and watch these guys (or any guys), really? You don't have to tune in to a tv show anymore to watch half-assed analysis. You can get it anywhere; on any forum, any podcast. People are able to find someone they like from a much larger pool, and when the topic turns to something they don't like or don't agree with, they switch to someone else.


This isn't the old days where you had to watch Sportsline with Jim Tatti to get highlights, or watch Hot Stove to get rumours and stories from around the league. You can get anything anywhere and in any format.

I’m not so sure, it seems to be like every other channel/sport is adding MORE guys like Kypreos each day. It’s cheap opinion driven content that people seem to enjoy

I think this is more of a function of Rogers bleeding money after a massive overpay

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

The natural evolution here is that sportsnet is looking to fill intermission time with more commercials.

IMO segments will be shorter with cheaper talent. Cheaper talent justifies using them less which gives you more opportunity to fill the broadcast with advertising which reduces the overall cost of producing a game.

Fine by me. I can get some more grading or reading done. I was already doing that most of the time during intermissions, but this will just cement the idea of muting the t.v. and getting some work done.

I get more entertainment by reading the game thread in the intermission than I ever would watching those segments. Analysis of the game by CP is about the level of John Shannon most of the time anyway, but much more ranting and raving. Always fun!

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

The natural evolution here is that sportsnet is looking to fill intermission time with more commercials.

If there's one thing that would prevent me from fast forwarding or changing the channel during intermission, it's definitely the lure of more commercials!