Dear Mr. Shannon,
Why does it seem that the NHL is a few steps behind every other sport as far as capturing the action with cutting edge technology? While the NHL has started using the net cam and this season the rail cam, but why not use the overhead view like football does? If you could mount one of these cameras on each blueline it would allow a spectacular view of the action, especially on powerplay’s when the action is in one zone. Overall it seems that the NHL is sticking to the classic side to side view they have always employed.
In my opinion the NHL has to make major strides to attract new spectators for the game to be successful in the future, and this may be the best way. Implementing HD is not possible on a large scale at this point I realize, but more creative use of camera angles could bring a new aspect to the game on television. A combination of production and technology will allow the speed of the puck to finally be caputured for the TV audience.

What type of things should we expect for the future? How soon? How does someone get involved in working in the production of hockey?

Posted by rfleischh on 11/28/06 at 09:54 AM ET

I was wondering if there was any update to talking to DirecTV about the CI package and making them carry both feeds of a game when possible.  I use the term carry loosely because they are already usually carrying both feeds of a game, they just don’t feel like opening up both of them to CI subscribers.  I realize this is DirecTV’s fault and not yours but if they tell you bandwidth constraints prevent them from doing this, they are lying.  Say both Altitude and FSBA are showing a game of the Avalanche and Sharks.  Both FSBA and Altitude are already taking up bandwidth on the satellite since they are full time channels.  All DirecTV would have to do is unlock both feeds for CI subscribers instead of just one.  It actually takes up more bandwidth for them to show a TSN feed of a Sabres game (like they have done several times this season already, to my annoyance since I love the Sabres announcers) than to just show the MSG feed that is already there. I understand not wanting to use additional bandwidth for another feed of a game you already have, I just want both feeds unlocked if they are already there.  Besides, DirecTV doesn’t seem to have a problem using bandwidth for additonal feeds as shown by the TSN example above.  Sorry to ramble, but this issue really bothers me.  Below I have pasted DirecTV’s response to me on this issue, for your reference.  It is from October 2005 and it seems obvious they are not going to resolve this issue without a little push from you.

DirecTV response:
If we are able to secure more than one feed for a game, we do not currently show both feeds. However, we appreciate your suggestion. We are always looking for ways to enhance our services, and customer feedback is very important to us. I have forwarded your comments on to DIRECTV Management.

Posted by Mike from Boise, ID on 11/28/06 at 10:56 AM ET

One thing that annoys me about television broadcasts are the commercial breaks in mid-period.  They break up the flow of the game for players, they create dead spots for fans when you are attending a game at the stadium and don’t do much for the fan watching at home.

Is there any merit to the idea of extending each intermission by two minutes to provide additional advertising at that time.  It would also allow fans in the stadium more time for purchases from the concession.

A second idea to minimize commercial interruption would be some kind of streaming advertising along the bottom or one side of the screen.

Another point of annoyance is the pre-game hype.  If a game starts at 7:30 that is when I would like to see the puck dropped.  Some of the pre-game festivities seem to drag on forever and turn the telecast into a marathon.  What are your thoughts on that.

Posted by Bob from Saskatoon on 11/28/06 at 11:25 AM ET

Mr. Shannon,
I understand that the NHL All Star game and Skills contest will be on Versus. Since many US fans do not have access to Versus, is there any chance the All Star Game and Skills contest will be broadcast online?
Also, why is the All Star Game being held mid-week? Most of us on the West Coast will still be at work when it the events begin and won’t be able to watch.

Posted by Rachel on 11/28/06 at 12:20 PM ET

Once the NHL moves to XM Radio exclusively next season, will the NHL Live Radio show still be carried by Sirius?

Posted by Blake from Los Angeles, CA on 11/28/06 at 12:51 PM ET

Has the NHL ever explored broadcasting a game without commentators and with the rink sounds cranked up to give the viewer a more authentic experience as if they were at the rink?

With the increased bandwidth available in HD broadcasts, this would be an interesting audio option.

Posted by Tuba Guy from Royal Oak, MI on 11/28/06 at 01:53 PM ET

In response to my previous question, and to some other questions, you simply restated the existing NHL blackout policy. I know that what I was getting at, and I think other questioners were as well, was that we wanted to know (a) what possible justification there can be for such a fan-UNfriendly policy, and (b) what is the likelihood that the NHL might eliminate league-mandated blackouts altogether. In other words, why does the league as a matter of policy prevent broadcasters and cable carriers who want to provide games from doing so? And why does the league, again as a matter of policy, prevent fans from seeing games that they want to see (and that their local TV schedules tell them that they can see)?

Posted by alice on 11/28/06 at 02:09 PM ET

This may be a silly question, but why is Center Ice only an out-of-market package? It seems to me that one way to really get broadcasters to work to improve the quality of their presentations would be to provide them with some competition.

I’d like to see more on-ice audio and more camera angles & zooms capturing the action. I don’t need to see that stuff used during live play, but I think it would be great for replays, highlights, etc. The more media you capture the more pre- and post-game broadcast you can have, and the more advertising you can sell.

Posted by mnfan from mn on 11/28/06 at 02:55 PM ET

thank you for doing this mr. shannon.
i just wanted to say i have noticed vast improvements on vs. this year and i am sure it is due to your direction.

Posted by gary j. on 11/28/06 at 05:10 PM ET

Mr. Shannan,
I would like to ask two questions:

1.  With the NHL allowing Google Videos to show full games and historic games from the past, will we be seeing more of the old times?  More specifically, will we be able to watch the original 1980 U.S. Men’s Hockey team play the Soviet Union? (a.k.a. the “Miracle on Ice” game). 

2.  What can the league do to make the puck easier to see for those who don’t have their sharp vision anymore and don’t have those clear picture, widescreen, HDTV’s, etc.? 

3.  Why is it that all of the highlights and full game broadcasts on NHL.com and Google Videos avoid using Comcast SportsNet?  It seems like they don’t want to use Philadelphia’s CSN feeds for these, which is a shame because their presentation and commentary team of Jim Jackson, Keith Jones, and Steve Coates is top notch.  And whenever the Flyers play another team that uses a CSN broadcast, they always use that team’s and not Philadelphia’s!  Is it because of the fact that Comcast Philadelphia doesn’t give its feed to others (hence the reason Flyers games aren’t shown on satellite to cut down on competition)?  Or is it something else?  Because I was watching Flyers-Ducks on Google and I noticed that everytime the Flyers scored a goal, the commentators were busy talking about stuff that had nothing to do with the game, which is annoying because I am so used to Jim Jackson’s enthusiasm and his play-by-play, which never skips a beat.

Thank you for your time.

Posted by Brian from United States on 11/28/06 at 05:50 PM ET

Hello Mr. Shannon. My question to you is what is your basis about having blackouts of certain teams in certain areas? For example, as a Leaf fan in Ottawa, I would like to order LEAFS TV however I cannot. I’m always going to be a leaf fan and that will not change, and I’m sure that is like that for many others. Why won’t some markets get privelage to other team’s games. Please tell me the basis of the blackout rule and if you are ever considering removing it to grow the game?

Posted by Rob from Ottawa, Ontario on 11/29/06 at 03:48 PM ET

Mr. Shannon,

I just want to comment on that rail cam that was present at one of the Stars’ games. I watched the highlights of it from Sportscentre and my though on it was that it was very distracting. For the 2% times you would probably use it, that camera is flying down the rail and distracting viewing, and also it’s very obtrusive. The rail itself is black and thick and covers the ice a lot and is distracting and the big camera itself moving is distracting. As an avid hockey fan, remove that camera or place it on the OTHER side where the broadcast cameras won’t pick it up. I don’t think I would be able to watch the whole game with that camera.

Posted by Dave from Stittsville, Ontario on 11/29/06 at 03:53 PM ET

Will there be a chance where HDNET games can be broadcasted in Canada? The picture quality on their programming is much better than other HD channels, and by a fair bit as well.

Posted by Mike from Toronto on 11/29/06 at 03:55 PM ET

I am an NHL Center Ice subscriber on DirecTV in the USA.  I love the package because it includes almost every game.  It could still be improved, though.  There are still a few games that are not televised.  I have noticed that these games are either not televised by the teams involved, or a Canadian team is showing the game on a pay-per-view basis and the other team is not televising.  Why do we not get these PPV feeds on Center Ice in the USA?  I checked the Expressvu Center Ice schedule, and I know these games are shown on the Canadian version of Centre Ice.  Also, beyond that, would it be possible for an arena’s in-house (jumbotron) feed of a game to be used when neither team televises?  MLB has been using this type of feed in their online package for three seasons now.  I recall one in-house feed appearing in Center Ice 4-5 seasons back (it was a Calgary at Detroit game), but I never saw one again.  Also, please keep using the Canadian feeds from Sportsnet, CBC, and TSN (and hopefully also PPV) when they are available.  This year especially I have noticed the Canadian feeds being used less and less, whereas before the lockout they were used whenever available.  They give the game a different feel here in the US, whereas the FSN feeds get redundant since we see them so often anyway.

Posted by Sean from USA on 12/31/06 at 01:26 AM ET

Hi John. In regards to the comment made in your earlier blog regarding the Penguins not being available on cable in the Cleveland area, those of us who have the DirecTV Sports Pack used to be able to watch the Pens…until this year.  It sounds like nothing changed with respect to the Pens TV territory, so is there something incorrect with DirecTV?

Posted by Matt from Cleveland, OH on 01/03/07 at 10:24 AM ET

How come the Senators/Habs game wasn’t on either DirecTV or the inDemand hockey packages on January 13, 2007?

I am extremely disappointed.  I have been a Center Ice subscriber for over 5 years.  Each year I’ve been a fan of the Hockey Day in Canada broadcast and look forward to watching all the coverage.

As part of that schedule, they usually show 3 games involving all 6 teams in Canada.  This year at 2pm, I was ready to watch the Senators/Canadiens game.  But guess what?  The game is not showing!!!! 

The pre-game was showing from noon up until 2pm.  But now the game is not on even though on the websites for inDemand and DirecTV show it should be on.  I’ve never had a problem with this game over the past 5 years.  There should be no reason its blacked out.  I live in NJ, no restrictions apply.

I’d really like to hear from someone in the League on this, but I’m sure they’ll come up with a convenient excuse as to why the game isn’t on.

Oh well, just another reason why the NHL is struggling….I don’t think tonight’s NFL playoff games will be listed as “on” and then won’t be.  I’ve had that package in the past and I’ve never been denied watching a game.

A disappointed NHL fan in NJ,
Chris

Posted by Chris on 01/13/07 at 03:35 PM ET

Mr. Shannon,
Thank you for your time in answering our questions as fans. I have the NHL Center Ice Package and was looking forward to the Hockey Day in Canada broadcast, I have watched it for the past 5 years on either Comcast Cable or DirecTV.  I have DirecTV now and went to watch the Montreal v Ottawa game and nothing but black, I am in the Washington DC area so a normal blackout rule did not apply.  Who should we as fans point the finger at DirecTV or the NHL? I think there should be more support for fans that purchase the NHL Center Ice package.  It seems that the service providers only have standard blackout answers, and we as customers/fans have no way of getting the truth as to what happened.

On top of that if it is going to be part of Center Ice advertise that it is.  This weekend was a free preview weekend what a better way to get fans that may not have it yet.  Nothing was listed on DirecTV’s website and the NHL.com site had only a small blurb and didn’t give any broadcast info.  These gaffes are why being an NHL an is so hard.  The NHL has made strides to get more fans, but it seems every year there is a big debacle that ruins all of the effort made the previous year.

Chris,
Washington, DC

Posted by Chris from Washington, DC on 01/16/07 at 04:39 PM ET

I too am a DirecTV customer who was disappointed by what happened with Hockey Day in Canada last weekend.  There are two issues here. 

1.  Why did the NHL schedule Hockey Day in Canada at the same time as the first NBC broadcast of the year which meant that NBC had exclusive rights in the USA?  The NHL NEEDS the possitive vibes created by events like HDIC and this scheduling decision really hurt fans in the States.

2.  Also, why wasn’t the first part of HDIC shown on DirecTV and why was the program cut off at 6:30 PM

Posted by SF from Philadelphia, PA on 01/18/07 at 04:56 PM ET

I am extremley outraged that last weeks Leafs game versus Atlanta was blacked out in Ottawa on Rogers Sportsnet. Ottawa was not playing and thus the game should have been broadcast. I think Rogers is forcing clients to purchase the NHL hockey package. Or that they are too cheap to pay for the rights. Or perhaps both. I am watching the Leafs versus New York on TSN right now broadcast nationally. Can you explain why this is?

Cheers,

Scott

Posted by Scott Simpson from Ottawa on 04/01/07 at 07:59 PM ET

Is anything being done to address the Pittsburgh Penguins NHLCI blackout problem in South Central PA?  I live in Lancaster, PA and am closer to the Flyers, Capitals, Rangers, and Islanders than I am to the Penguins.  My cable company does not carry FS Pittsburgh and I think it is a little outrageous to expect them to carry FSP when they already carry the Flyers and Capitals Regional networks.  After all, my area is located 250 miles from Pittsburgh.  It just makes no sense to me how this area which is closer to 4 other NHL franchises can be designated as Penguins territory.  The result is that I have absolutely no way to watch the Penguins.  I would be more than happy to pay the $150 for Center Ice if I could.  Thank you for taking the time to answer these questions.

Posted by Jared from Lancaster, PA on 04/10/07 at 12:08 PM ET

why is a penguin game in Ottawa blacked out in SAN DIEGO!!!!!!!!!!!

Direct tv said “regional blackout”.  HUH!!!!  Let me look at a map again.  Ottawa must have snuck into orange county.

Posted by r jONES from lOS ANGELES on 04/15/07 at 04:39 PM ET

Question, I would love to watch Pens games but I’m not sure the best route.  I currently have comcast cable and recieve only Flyers games.  I got Center Ice two years ago and Pens games were blacked out.  The reason being I was considered in Pens territory yet I don’t get FSP with my current cable provider.  My neighbor says he gets FSP with Direct TV.  I wanted to get the Dish Network instead, cheaper, which also offers FSP.  I’m afraid that they may block out Pens games.  I was told that I would recieve Pens games with Center Ice, but didn’t, so how can I truly know if I’ll get Pens games with Dish Network?

Posted by ZD from Mechanicsburg, PA on 08/07/07 at 08:26 PM ET

Mr. Shannon,

Like most fans, I could never understand the NHL’s reasoning. Why does the league keep taking steps backwards, in attempts to move forward in its quest to gain new TV fans for the sport. Since the early cable days, with the Sports Channel Network, and then MSG; as a hockey fan first and formost in Rochester, N.Y. we could never get Ranger games. In the early cable (early 80’s)days we got the Devils( their Mickey Mouse years)and the Islanders all the time. Now, we get nothing but Sabre hockey on MSG, yet it wouldn’t surprise me if they blacked out a Sabre game when they play a N.Y. City, area team. We all know the almighty dollar calls the shots, no matter who the NHL wants to pass the buck to, but doesn’t it seem logical that everyone would make more money in the end if more hockey fans got to see more hockey instead of: fishing, high school sports, and Div. III college sports on MSG? Trying to grow the game? How? By exposing prospective fans to a lesser amount of viewable games, with fewer teams to expose them to, with fewer Markee players to get know and appreciate their skill? Please consider the fans, not just the ones paying for the NHL package either, unless that’s the underlying theme here, to get more people on the package, Then they takes me back to my comment, “We all know the almighty dollar calls the shots.”

Frank,
Rochester, NY

Posted by Frank on 04/19/08 at 06:36 PM ET

Why does the NHL Network blackout a Pittsburgh-Philly game in Cleveland, OH?

Posted by Jeff from Parma Heights, OH on 01/07/10 at 07:49 PM ET