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

[Tsawwassen]

Originally Posted by Joborule

Except this time TSN won't have a chance at showing NHL nationally again for 12 years. That's more than a decade. That's a long time. I'll be 35 when Bell can bid for rights again. It's not as easy to hold since it's not several years. A kid that was born yesterday, is going to be 12 when TSN may show NHL again.

I don't think TSN can try to be the best news for hockey anymore, at least at an NHL level.

If I was them, I would make sure to dominate the juniors, college and international hockey market. If Rogers is going all in on the NHL, then Bell should go all in on everything else. They made the WJC big, try to do the same with others.

Don't forget that TSN has the regional rights for the Jets for some years to come and will also have the Leafs regional rights, 10 games next season and 26 after that. The Habs, Canucks, and Senators regional contracts are done at the end of the season.

[Burner]

Originally Posted by getbak

I don't remember where I read it this morning, but I saw a quote from one of the Rogers bigwigs saying that they might use their new partnership with CBC to offload some Jays games to them. They might also move some baseball games to City.

The only real logjam will be in the first round of the NHL playoffs, when they'll have to fit 8 series onto 4 channels, plus air the Jays games. Even then, because of the staggered schedule, they should be able to make everything fit unless they end up with a night where there are 6 games scheduled that all overlap with each other, or something stupid like that.

One of the good things about Rogers controlling everything is that it should put an end to the silly turf wars that we see between CBC and TSN where one series can only air on one network even if there are conflicts on that network and none on the other. This will allow them flexibility to move series to different channels if conflicts arise.


When it's time for the baseball playoffs, I don't think they schedule too many overlapping games anyway, so they'll still have plenty of channels available to show some early season hockey.

True - however the 4 sportsnet channels are supposed to be regional channels in the licence with the CRTC - it will be interesting to see how that shakes down now that they own national rights. They do have the Score and Sportsnet 360

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by troutman

But won't they have to plow half the new money into higher salaries? The bottom line might not move much?

Yeah this money could mean eventually a salary cap floor of $70+ million. I fail to see in the long term how this helps the struggling US markets when you have 10,000 in the building to watch a $70 million roster of players. The bigger problem is that a $70 million cap floor doesn't mean better talent for fans as the cheapest, crappiest roster today will still be just as cheap and crappy at $70 million as the same player will simply be making more money. The big winners in the end will be the NHLPA and teams that were already flourishing as this deal is simply money in the bank for them.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by -TC-

TSN doesn't offer me much. Other than what, 5 games a year? And the eastern bias actually really bugs me, that may be petty but I don't care much about the leafs...that is to say I don't care as much as they do... and the programming supports that bias. And that's fine, it's their programming and they are selling to their audience...which is to say the east. That's not me.

SN on the other hand, is that eager-to-please kid. Who isn't the most skilled on your team, but he pays attention, he works hard in practice, and he really gives a ####...I'm going to give that kid as many minutes as I can, where I can, because he earned all of them...

While the quality of the broadcast and the broadcasters isn't as high on SN as it is on TSN, they have one thing that gives me reason to watch...coverage, specifically regional coverage that allows me to watch the Flames...and if they aren't on, the oilers or the canucks, on almost every night they play.

TSN has never offered me that, and for that reason alone I choose to support the SN decision. They were good to me, even when what they were offering wasn't so good at least they made it available to me.

It's funny how so many could see things so different. I see SN as the down syndrome kid of very wealthy parents. Daddy is really more worried about his own image than his kid so he spends $$$ to become a big supplier to a popular institute to get his handicapped kid in the limelight doing something important. He doesn't really care that he's going to likely embarrass his kid but since he spent so much money for the supplier rights he decides to cut corners to make up for that by purchasing a cheap old building and filled with the cheapest employees he could find to make the operation look somewhat legit even if it's just a front to buy market presence and power. The kid really works hard and really gives a #### but in the end the business puts out a poor product because the kid simply isn't qualified to operate a business and his dad was ultimately more interested in getting the last name out there than supplying his kid with the talent and resources to succeed.

[GirlySports]

there was no pre-game or post-game for the Flames game last night. That alone makes TSN suck.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

there was no pre-game or post-game for the Flames game last night. That alone makes TSN suck.

They were back in the studio showing highlights of the Leafs game about 25 seconds after the final buzzer. Brutal.

[TurnedTheCorner]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

there was no pre-game or post-game for the Flames game last night. That alone makes TSN suck.

Yeah, it's much better when SN shows the last half hour of Faceoff with the Flood as the pregame, and then throws to its terrible Connected and Hockey Central staff as a post-game.

Only HNIC is remotely passable for pre-and-post game coverage. Neither TSN or SN do it at all, let alone well.

[strombad]

Originally Posted by TurnedTheCorner

Yeah, it's much better when SN shows the last half hour of Faceoff with the Flood as the pregame, and then throws to its terrible Connected and Hockey Central staff as a post-game.

Only HNIC is remotely passable for pre-and-post game coverage. Neither TSN or SN do it at all, let alone well.

The sad thing is: you're right, it IS much better, and it's not even very good.

[TurnedTheCorner]

I would say it's equally bad, but perhaps you enjoy staring into Nick Kypreos' eyes more than I do.

[TurnedTheCorner]

And for the pre-game, are you seriously suggesting a re-run that has nothing to do with the game is better than anything that might be said by Duthie (and maybe, the panel) if there's time between the early game before they throw to the late game PBP crew?

Of course you're not.

[sureLoss]

David Shoalts on TSN's strategy:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sport...ticle15647965/

There is some disagreement over the details of how it all happened, but a lot of people connected to the negotiations for the new Canadian NHL television contract think it was a question of attitude as much as the dollars behind the NHL’s decision to dump BCE Inc. and TSN for Rogers Communications Inc. and Sportsnet.

Separate sources say when negotiations opened between the NHL and TSN to extend its contract for the broadcast rights in Canada, executives from the all-sports cable network and its parent company could have showed NHL commissioner Gary Bettman a little more respect. Instead, sources say, the message delivered to Bettman and deputy commissioner Bill Daly was TSN carried the NHL’s water for many years and the network was prepared to pay only so much to carry on the relationship – so the league should sit down and sign a contract.

For example, sources say, BCE president and chief executive officer George Cope never became involved in the negotiations. At the same time, Rogers president and CEO Nadir Mohamed played a “very” important role in the talks, according to someone close to Bettman. Those who know Bettman say he has a keen idea of how important the NHL is to certain businesses and markets.

Also, Bettman takes a dim view of those who do not share that view – especially those who are supposed to be partners of the league.

[strombad]

I'll suggest whatever I want to suggest, SIR.
The only good thing about SN which makes it all around better is that Hockey Central afterwards actually starts with the Flames, and has a decent bit about them before trailing off to everything else. TSN leads off with... Leafs? Jays? Golf? Anything BUT the Flames usually.

I'll take flood repeats every day if I at least get some half hearted coverage after the game.

Though he does have dreamy eyes...

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by TurnedTheCorner

Yeah, it's much better when SN shows the last half hour of Faceoff with the Flood as the pregame, and then throws to its terrible Connected and Hockey Central staff as a post-game.

Only HNIC is remotely passable for pre-and-post game coverage. Neither TSN or SN do it at all, let alone well.

The Flood recovery was important.

SN shows a 30 minute pre-game before every Flames game. Sometimes there is a post-game or the go to connected and then throw is to Kerr and Simmer for a few final comments.

Tomorrow there will be a pre-game at 1:30pm before the Flames-Ducks game.

TSN does nothing. Yesterday was ridiculous. IF The Leafs game had ended before 8 then they would have had a 15 minute pre-game leading into an 8:15 faceoff. But since the Leafs game ran long they turfed that pre-game. TSN2 was available at 8, why not show the pre-game there? nooooo they showing stupid Eastern Conference highlights and barely make it in time for the faceoff. No national anthem!

[corporatejay]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

David Shoalts on TSN's strategy:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sport...ticle15647965/

And before anyone says "see it was Bettman's ego". All this means is that Sportsnet basically went to the NHL and said "we need you and we will make your game our feature product". Sounds like TSN said "you need us as much as we need you" and that simply isn't true.

[Tailgator]

Originally Posted by corporatejay

And before anyone says "see it was Bettman's ego". All this means is that Sportsnet basically went to the NHL and said "we need you and we will make your game our feature product". Sounds like TSN said "you need us as much as we need you" and that simply isn't true.

If that's the attitude TSN went in with, I think their bid was doomed from the start. Bettman has a huge ego for sure, but when you couple more money and an "eager to please" attitude, it probably made the decision pretty easy. Assuming that's how it went down.......

[Igster]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

TSN does nothing. Yesterday was ridiculous. IF The Leafs game had ended before 8 then they would have had a 15 minute pre-game leading into an 8:15 faceoff. But since the Leafs game ran long they turfed that pre-game. TSN2 was available at 8, why not show the pre-game there? nooooo they showing stupid Eastern Conference highlights and barely make it in time for the faceoff. No national anthem!

Watched the national anthems and pre game on WGN

[SebC]

Originally Posted by IntenseFan

Yahoo sports has an article up saying that although TSN will experience some job losses, the chances are that journalistically they may even improve a little bit because they won't have to cozy up to the League as a rights holder anymore and can take a a more liberal hand in criticism. That might be a decent point.

Not too liberal, if they ever want to get back into the game.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Yeah this money could mean eventually a salary cap floor of $70+ million. I fail to see in the long term how this helps the struggling US markets when you have 10,000 in the building to watch a $70 million roster of players. The bigger problem is that a $70 million cap floor doesn't mean better talent for fans as the cheapest, crappiest roster today will still be just as cheap and crappy at $70 million as the same player will simply be making more money. The big winners in the end will be the NHLPA and teams that were already flourishing as this deal is simply money in the bank for them.

But the money from this TV deal (and the national U.S. deal) goes to all teams equally. If every teams gets $8 mil more a year, it doesn't unbalance the playing field. It's the big disparity in other sources of income (gate receipts, local TV, merchandise) that leads to disparity. One of the reasons the NFL doesn't have a huge imbalance issue is because most of the revenue for NFL teams comes from the TV deals. And every team gets the same amount.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

But the money from this TV deal (and the national U.S. deal) goes to all teams equally. If every teams gets $8 mil more a year, it doesn't unbalance the playing field. It's the big disparity in other sources of income (gate receipts, local TV, merchandise) that leads to disparity. One of the reasons the NFL doesn't have a huge imbalance issue is because most of the revenue for NFL teams comes from the TV deals. And every team gets the same amount.

To my understanding the canadian franchises get an "invasion fee", so it isn't equally divided. Secondly, it's the increase in the salary cap along with the disparity in other revenue that imbalances the league. This definitely increases that disparity. Yes they all get more money, but the amount the cap increases grows more too

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by SebC

Not too liberal, if they ever want to get back into the game.

I don't think that will be an issue as Bettman won't be around next negotiations and I have a feeling once this 12 year deal is complete that the NHL will be happy to have another broadcaster handling their product. It appears the league wanted to show TSN who was the boss even if it meant handing over their broadcasting rights to a 3rd rate company with open wallets and empty promises. We are talking about a league that in the past has sold their broadcasting rights to OLN so it's not really a surprise that ego is behind this decision.