Thanks for taking questions.

1.  I have Bell Expressvu NHL Centre Ice.  They should a number of HD games in the package.  How is it determined which HD games end up in this package as there are still many HD games out there that they don’t have ever air such as MSG HD, Comcast HD. HDNET games.

2.  HDNET is about to launch in Canada.  DO you know if HDNET games will be broadcast in Canada or does TSN/CBC rights not allow them to air?

3.  When do you expect the next Canadian broadcasting rights deal to be announced?

Posted by Trent Walters from Edmonton on 10/25/06 at 09:02 AM ET

What is the status of the NHL Network in the United States.  There had been some talk of it debuting this fall, but that obviously doesn’t appear to be happening.

Posted by Brad on 10/25/06 at 09:08 AM ET

I understand why Center Ice blackouts occur when a local RSN is showing a game. But why do they continue a blackout when the local RSN is NOT having the game on their network? For instance last monday the Sharks game was blacked out on the Center Ice feed even though the local RSN was not showing the game. Seems like you could sell a few more $149.00 packages if fans knew that they could watch their hometown team even when the local RSN was not showing the game.

Posted by Jay P from San Jose, CA on 10/25/06 at 09:35 AM ET

I live in Connecticut, about 75 miles from NYC. My cable company carries MSG, so, in theory, I have access to all Rangers games that MSG broadcasts. What earthly purpose is served by blacking out some percentage of games, just because of where I live? (I’m talking about games actually on MSG; I understand that if a Rangers game is bumped to FSNY, I won’t get it, even though I don’t like it.) What’s worse, the league somehow can’t get the correct information to Comcast or to the newspaper sports schedule listing, so the Comcast channel guide shows a Rangers game, but what’s actually on MSG is a Boise State football game. Furthermore, if by some fluke a Devils or Islanders game is on MSG, it’s totally random whether it will be blacked out. It’s not enough to say “subject to blackout”. If you want to grow the game and encourage fan loyalty, you’ve got to end such fan-unfriendly practices.

Posted by alice from Connecticut on 10/25/06 at 10:00 AM ET

My question is along the same lines, in that if the VS channel in the States has a game on, why is it not on the CI package?  I understand it’s broadcasting rights, but if your trying to grow the game than it should be available.  What if my local provider doesnt have the VS channel.  CBC has broadcasting rights and the game is still on the CI package, why not VS.  It;s not like the people that get the CI package are stealing something, we pay for the package, we should be able to see the games.  Afterall last year in the playoffs VS showed the CBC game and telecast on VS so it couldn’t be on the package.  Kinda doesn’t make a whole lot of sense..

Posted by Jay on 10/25/06 at 10:03 AM ET

I live in Cleveland and have NHL Center Ice.  Why am I blacked out from seeing games from both the Penguins and the Blue Jackets?  I understand the purpose of blacking out Blue Jackets games since they are broadcast locally on FSN Ohio, but Penguins games are not available to me in Cleveland.  Can this be corrected?

Posted by Troy McClure from Cleveland on 10/25/06 at 10:19 AM ET

This past September the Pens played back to back exhibition games in Canada broadcast on FSNP. The first game was blacked out on DirecTV to me here in AZ. I called DirecTV and was told that they have nothing to do with the blackouts. The next night I was not blacked out. Am I to believe that the league blacked out the first game or did DirecTV incorrectly black it out?

Posted by Kent Adams from Cottonwood AZ on 10/25/06 at 11:01 AM ET

My question has to do with the relative quality of game broadcasts between networks.  Many fans have observed, for example, just how much better the picture and audio quality are on CBC HNIC broadcasts (particularly in certain arenas, like in Edmonton or Toronto).  When compared with many of the regional sports network broadcasts in the US, especially, these CBC broadcasts are superior in terms of camera placement (closeness to the ice), crispness of the picture, and the audio, which really seems to capture the atmosphere in the building.  What are the main reasons for these differences, and can anything be done to employ those superior broadcast methods in all of the other arenas around the league.  It makes a HUGE difference in the level of excitement for the viewer.

Posted by Jim from Colorado on 10/25/06 at 11:06 AM ET

Please tell Versus to keep their camera zoomed out more.  Even when watching on HD, their camera is frequently zoomed in so far you cannot see plays developing or get a good feel for what is happening on the ice.  It is pretty bad that the NHL’s national television carrier does a worse job than most of the RSNs in showing a game.  Last year, they started out bad but were doing OK by the end of the playoffs.  This year they seem to be starting badly again.  Also please make DirecTV give us a choice of feeds to watch of a game like Dish Network does, I really miss this since I switched over this year.  For instance if MSG and FS-BA are showing a game of the Sabres and Rangers, I should get to choose which channel I want to watch since they are all up on the satellite anyway.  Dish lets you do this, DirecTV does not and they easily could.

Posted by Mike from Idaho on 10/25/06 at 11:10 AM ET

Mr. Shannon,
Is the NHL planning an online similar to MLB’s MLB.tv?  I am out of area alot and have no way to watch the Rangers.  I know there are alot of fans out there in similar situations who would pay for an online service that broadcasted NHL games, so is there one in the works?  And if not, why not?

Posted by Brian from New York, NY on 10/25/06 at 11:13 AM ET

Why is there no nightly NHL highlights show on in the United States?You would think this would be important for the game here and VS. would be the perfect network for it.

Posted by Blake on 10/25/06 at 11:14 AM ET

The 10/24 INHD broadcast of the Versus Channel’s NJ/PGH game was blocked or scrambled here in Memphis.  The cable provider, Comcast, had no explanation.  Is there any reason the NHL would be blocking a NJ/PGH hockey game in Memphis???

Posted by memlaw from Memphis on 10/25/06 at 11:55 AM ET

I hope you can answer this honestly but I think the NHL hugely miscalculated Comcast’s desire to make a new sports channel. OLN, now Vs, has lost out on NASCAR, NFL and MLB bids to make it a legitamate network destination for sports viewers. While as a fan I’m pleased that Vs treats Hockey with respect, how is the sport supposed to grow on such a lowly regarded cable channel. It feels like the late 1980’s Sportschannel decision all over again.

Posted by Dan from los Gatos, CA on 10/25/06 at 12:59 PM ET

1.  I’m pleased with the number of HD games shown on DirecTV channel 95 so far.  Last year, the number of DTV 95 HD games dwindled to near zero as DirecTV seemed to opt for NBA HD games instead.  Will we see the same phenomenon this year?  If so, I’d say you are falling off pace in your effort to boost broad HD availability of the NHL.

2.  The hotel-room availability of Vs. and the RSN’s is virtually non-existent.  This is a slight frustration during the regular season and a huge frustration in the post-season.  Is there any hope on the horizon for us regular travelers in the States?  Do our numbers even make it on to your radar screen, or are they perceived to be so small, it’s a “don’t care”?

Posted by Bill from Atlanta on 10/25/06 at 03:40 PM ET

I am an avid RedWings fan that lives in St Louis MO. I have purchased the Center Ice package for several years. My problem is when I am watching the games on Center Ice and i have to watch the opposing teams broadcast because the Center Ice doesn’t show the FS Detroit broadcast and it is blacked out in my area. I really appreciate watching the games but missing the “hometeam” broadcast is really bothering me. Is there anything that can be done so I can when I purchase my Center Ice package I get to watch and hear the Redwing network?

Posted by Darrell VankyGrifka from St. Louis, MO on 10/25/06 at 04:08 PM ET

1) Can the NHL act as a mediator between the NHL network (who owns this, by the way?) and VS. to perhaps gain some of the nightly recap broadcast, and is VS. even interested in such a thing?

2) Is the NHL holding back any content for the anticipated launch of the NHL network?

3) Does the NHL believe that there is enought national exposure with it’s current broadcast schedule?  This is not about the number of homes that VS shows up in, but rather the number of games broadcast per week?

Posted by Tapeleg on 10/26/06 at 12:06 AM ET

If you want to attract more fans to the NHL, than the obvious fix is not changing the game, but regulating the quality of the broadcast.  FSW is crap, they shove way too many commercials down our throats or worse, they cover half the screen with these pop-up ads right in the middle of play.  Anytime a scrum develops after a save for example they ALWAYS zoom into the goalies eyes for what seems an eternity before slowly going to where the action WAS.  They picture on my 50” HDTV is like watching a game when Gordie Howe was a rookie.  The NFL and MLB get it.  They don’t dare sacrifice quality to save a few bucks.  FSW announced that they will televise 10 Kings games in HD, if they can do 10, they can do em all.  And bring Buchigras to VS, and ban that biased idiot Brian Heyward from doing another game, EVER.  Last year he actually said this during a Ducks/Kings game “I hope Penner drops his gloves and gives Avery a real beatin” That is classless.

Posted by michael crane from So Cal on 10/26/06 at 03:00 AM ET

Mr Shannon, I cannot even begin to tell you how bummed I am that Sirius is not allowing a live feed to the NHL.COM page of Don and Zigs show. I listened everyday last year, loved it and learned a lot about hockey and players. I so enjoyed it I bought my brother a Sirius set up for his birthday last March. In those 9 months his equiptment has been sent back to Sirius 5 times for repairs! Not due to his damaging it,but due to their bad equiptment. Doesn’t give me much impitus to buy a set up from them for myself! I would LOVE to listen to the “hockey boys” online PLEASE… I know I’m not alone… PLEASE HELP .... BTW I do have center ice ...did last year as well.. Hockey is MY sport of choice! GO AV’S!

Posted by Bonnie from NORTHERN New Hampshire on 10/26/06 at 08:37 AM ET

I’ve enjoyed Yahoo’s webcasts of certain games.  How long will it be before all games are available online on a nightly basis?  I know you don’t need my editorializing, but growing a niche sport in today’s media landscape requires a strong online package.

Posted by EJ Bolesh from Carrboro, NC on 10/26/06 at 08:41 AM ET

Improving hockey broadcasts on television was a stated goal of the league after the lockout. What do you think the league can build on from last season’s broadcasts, and what are teams trying that has impressed you so far this season?

Another problem for fans is simply knowing when the games are on. Has Versus, NBC, FSN, Comcast, or even Yahoo streaming considered putting together a javascript or java scoreboad applet, with the broadcast games clearly defined, and even possible links to the broadcast websites? Pay to have that scoreboard app on the major media websites, and ask the top hockey blogs to put it up, and you could pull in a large number of fans who no longer have to search for broadcast times.

Posted by PJ from San Jose on 10/26/06 at 08:48 AM ET

I’m happy to see that VS has brought on different play by play personnel and reduced the visibility of Mike Emerick and his cheesey style.  There is no other single person on, or off, the ice that makes, or breaks, the broadcast than the p/p announcer.  ESPN never figured this out and kept throwing out Gary Thorne (brutal) and Mike Emerick (palatable) year in and year out.  Hockey broadcasts in the States have NEVER had a pied piper personality doing the games (ie, Bob Cole, Jim Hughson,Danny Gallivan ,et al.). Someone you looked forward to listening to no matter who’s playing. I guess that would be too much to ask.  On a lighter note, I don’t know if you can do anything about the influx of “other sports” nomenclature: “Denied","....He says NO !"......"on the kill” ,and other such psuedo hip phrases. Hockey has it’s own unique language that should be protected (sweater,room, dressing room,etc) Finally, The non stop bantering from the both needs to be toned down.  It gets annoying and intrusive to watching the play.  My sense is that the U.S.  p/p announcers can’t adequately carry the p/p dialogue so they try to compete with the color person to fill the void.  The p/p announcer should be just that, with occasional commentary and not a running , non stop dialogue.  You don’t have to reinvent a broadcast style...... it’s already here.... and time tested....See HNIC.  Thanks for letting me rant.

Posted by mark Mitchell from Seattle on 10/26/06 at 09:37 AM ET

Last night on DirecTV TSN had the NHLCI feed of the Sharks at the Red Wings. At the same time DirecTV made available the FSNDetroit feed on channel 95 in HD. I believe all CI subscribers but those in Detroit were blacked out of the HD broadcast. My question is since I am a CI subscriber & have paid my good money to see these games, why does TSN (or any other local feed chosen by CI) determine what I watch instead of me?  It seems to me that TSN or any other provider for NHLCI has already been paid by me & should not have additional power over me. Very aggravating!

Posted by Kent Adams from Cottonwood AZ on 10/26/06 at 12:07 PM ET

Will the NHL be releasing classic games and classic playoff series on DVD for consumer purchase?

Joe Pelletier
------------------
http://www.1972summitseries.com
http://www.legendsofhockey.blogspot.com

Posted by Joe Pelletier from British Columbia on 10/26/06 at 10:48 PM ET

eightMr Shannon,
I frequently listen to the NHL.com pickup of radio station broadcasts for games that are not covered on local TV. Why doesn’t NHL.com pick up all of the TV broadcasts too and feed them through the NHL web site? Make it pay-per-view if you have to, but at least give us access to watch as many games as possible on our computers. Whether or not the local networks carry the games, you should be able to market it directly to us. High speed internet should be able to do a decent job of carrying the streaming.

Posted by Greg W. from Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan on 10/26/06 at 11:12 PM ET

It sure would be neat if you could rig up live web cams in the NHL arenas. Combine that with the NHL.com live radio broadcast and it would be a cheap way to video broadcast every single NHL game as a supplement to network coverage. All you need is a wide angle cam that roboticly follows the puck/play and a clear picture.
Thanks

Posted by glw on 10/26/06 at 11:31 PM ET

Hi Mr. Shannon,I would like to know if the NHL is planning to launch online broadcasts on his site like MLB.I live outside North America and there are a lot of fans like me that can’t watch any hockey at all and it’s difficult to keep a passion for this game like we have when you can’t watch it.Myself and a lot of fans around the world will gladly pay for a package of NHL games streamed on NHL.com.
Thanks.

Posted by Roberto Barros from Brazil on 10/27/06 at 07:45 AM ET

Dear Mr. Shannon,

as an NHL fan in Europe I feel neglected by the NHL. There is a huge NHL fan base in Europe, but we are not able to watch NHL games on the internet! The broadcasts at YAHOO are for US residents only. The NHL sold the internet broadcast rights for Europe in a package with the TV rights to NASN, a tv broadcaster that has no intentions to broadcast games on the internet.

We European fans do not want to watch for free, we are even willing to pay if we only had the chance to receive some games here. Why is it that the NHL does not seem to care for its fan base outside of North America?

Regards,

Joe, Germany

Posted by Joe from Germany on 10/27/06 at 11:38 AM ET

Here is a concern for you. (the NHL that is) If I cannot watch my home team, then I will not watch at all, I will not go see a game, I will not buy hockey collectibles, clothing, jerseys, hockey cards,, nothing!  I will not buy/read hockey magazines or news and will refuse to absorb any hockey media or branding/advertisments aimed at hockey ‘consumers’/fans.

If I cannot watch the Toronto Maple Leafs, I am out!

I live in Belleville, Ontario canada but am told that I am in the ‘Ottawa Valley region’ yet I am 3 hrs away from Ottawa have no interest in the senators and never will.  Last year I had supper ready, beer, friends over and the pregame show was great and I was ready for the NEWNHL,,, then the tv flipped to golf or wrestling because of a blackout.  I didn’t watch another game all year because I so upset.

This year back into the hockey pools and trying to prepare to see the games I figured I could PAY to see the game so I ordered leafs tv, nhl centre ice, time shifting, all sports packages etc that Cogeco, my cable company could provide me with.  Guess what?  I should have read the fine print because I am still blackedout from say 70% of the leafs games.  I can seemingly only watch the Leafs play Saturday night on CBC.

When I do try to read the fine print, I still can’t make sense of it.  So many channels, providers, conditions, BS! I’m trying to obtain a map of which region is what so that when I buy a house next year, I can be in the right region to watch ALL leafs games.  I know that I can drive 5 minutes up the road to Quitnte West/Trenton and watch the games… ?????  Explain that.

I would really enjoy a package such as nhl centre ice, where I could just pay and watch all games.  I’m not interested in teams other then my ‘HOME TEAM’ and why would the NHL want me to NOT watch my home team?  Business business business, etc… local region rights for the team, etc. ok fine.. I understand (sort of) but as a consumer with a busy life who takes pride and joy in watching the good ol game of hockey specifically the Leafs, why can you not make it easier.  Instead I’m forced to radio broadcasts or searching out some tvu player that might illegally broadcast the game over the internet.

I even thought about going to see a game this year and all tickets are sold out, I hear that season tickets are backordered for the next 10 years too!  Besides skipping out on rent to pay a scalper for tickets, I cannot watch a Leafs game on TV or at the arena.

It just does not make sense.

Sincerely disappointed.

Brent Howard

Posted by BRENT HOWARD from BELLEVILLE, ONTARIO, CANADA on 10/27/06 at 01:17 PM ET

Thanks for taking questions.

I have the NHL Center Ice package so I can see my Buffalo Sabres play, and I am just curious, as to what the criteria are for which teams announcers subscribers get to hear.  There have been 10 games, and to my knowledge, 2 have been on VS, and of the remaining 8, we have only heard Rick Jeneret once.  Last night, the Islanders announcers were the worst I have ever heard, they barely spoke about the action on the ice, and when they did, the play by play guy acted like he was bored out of his mind!!  It is apparent that Jeneret is arguably the BEST play by play guy in the NHL, why on Earth would you not allow the fans to hear him, instead of announcers that, well, for lack of a better term, SUCK?  I cannot imagine that it is good for TV ratings and commercial slot sales, to have your audience listening to the broadcast via the internet, and just watching the TV does it?  LET US HEAR RICK!!  HE IS THE BEST!!!!.....and consequently, so are the SABRES!!!

Posted by Joe Miller from Columbus OH on 10/27/06 at 03:43 PM ET

Hello Mr. Shannon..
Thanks for taking the time to speak with us fans.. My question is.. Who has. and how does. broadcasting rights work for non. north american Countries?

Posted by kevin horsman from calgary,alberta on 10/28/06 at 07:49 PM ET

Mr. Shannon,
I have a 2 questions, one related to the CI package and blackouts and the second related to DirecTV

First, the facts:  I live in the Cleveland TV market.  Therefore, on FSN Ohio the Cleveland Cavaliers NBA games take precedence over Columbus Blue Jackets’ games.  FSN Cincy carries the Blue Jackets games when there is a conflict.  Yet, on Center Ice I don’t get the Jackets’ game.

Why, as a Center Ice subscriber can’t I get the Blue Jackets game on the Center Ice feed.  I understand about territorial rights, but I just don’t understand why an NBA team’s broadcast should have ANY effect on which hockey game I see on a package I pay for.  Actually, I CAN get it if I pay the extra bucks for the Directv sports pak.  But, I’m already paying good money for Center Ice.

Second Question:  I have noticed an increasing number of errors on the DIRECTV program guide in relation to NHL games/channels on Center Ice.  It took about 10 minutes to figure out which channel would have the second HNIC game because it was listed on two channels and was on neither for a while.  I hope the league is working with DTV on this.

Thanks!

Posted by Brian from Ohio on 10/30/06 at 07:05 AM ET

What is the NHL’s goals for its broadcasts and how is Versus working to achieve those goals.  For instance, is it the NHL’s goal to simply air weekly games?  Or is the NHL working to increase the viewership of the NHL?

Posted by SB from Chicago, IL on 10/30/06 at 11:52 AM ET

Hello

I am a Canadian that has lived in Australia for 8 years now and have been so saddened about the lack of hockey coverage here, whether it be on television or availability on the internet!

You have no idea how huge your international market is and what you are losing out on.  I am more than happy to pay for live broadcasts over the internet so I can see (hopefully) my favourite team play.

Why does it feel like the international market is of little interest to you?  There are that many Europeans playing in the league too and I can just imagine how shafted they feel.

NHL is not just for Americans.  In fact, the Americans have not embraced it near as much as Canadians, yet everything seems to evolve around what is good for those American watchers.

We are out there and in droves.  Pay attention please!

Posted by Judy from Australia on 10/30/06 at 07:52 PM ET

Hi Mr. Shannon,I would like to know if the NHL is planning to launch online broadcasts on his site like MLB.I live outside North America and there are a lot of fans like me that can’t watch any hockey at all and it’s difficult to keep a passion for this game like we have when you can’t watch it.Myself and a lot of fans around the world will gladly pay for a package of NHL games streamed on NHL.com.
Thanks.

Posted by Roberto Barros from Brazil on 10/31/06 at 01:47 PM ET

When and where will we see responses to these questions?

Posted by memlaw from Memphis on 11/06/06 at 11:52 AM ET

It is in motion as of today.  As soon as I get a response from Mr. Shannon, I will post it here and on NHL.com.

Posted by Paul from Motown Area on 11/06/06 at 03:49 PM ET

It’s probably too late but please pass along to Mr. Shannon my two pet peeves of watching the NHL on TV. 
1.  Closeups of players while play is ongoing.  This makes a viewer lose track of the puck and what is going on and is very annoying.
2.  Towards the end of the game if a team pulls their goalie, they always cut away to a shot of the goalie leaving the ice and going to the bench.  This is horrible because odds are there is a lot of action at the other teams net that we don’t see and viewers could easily miss a tying goal.  It is more than sufficient to have the announcers mention that the goalie has left the ice and an extra attacker is on.  Or I suppose HDNet does it the best of any channel on today, at least they show the main play and show you the goalie leaving in a little DVE box in a corner of the screen.  All in all, though, the game is in much better shape and more exciting to watch after the lockout than before.

Posted by Mike from Boise, Idaho on 11/16/06 at 02:05 PM ET

Where is the update / response from the NHL?

Posted by . from . on 01/12/07 at 05:55 PM ET

http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/hockey/comments/john_shannon_answers_nhl_fans_broadcasting_questions/

Posted by Paul from Motown Area on 01/12/07 at 06:12 PM ET

I’m a hockey fan from the “state of hockey minnesota”. Mr. Bettman,you’re wondering why T.V. viewing is so low?  When you put games on some unavaiable network what do you expect? It"your fault! what were you thinking? Are you trying to destroy the NHL? I don’t belive your capable of doing your job. Please resign so we can find a hockey person who knows and loves the game. You have been evaluated by the fans--grade “F” Time for you to leave!  bob wiley

Posted by robert wiley from savage,mn. on 06/01/07 at 10:41 AM ET