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Entries with the tag: versus
Versus Courting the Die-Hard Fan
by Alanah McGinley on 11/03/08 at 02:11 PM ET
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From Greg Wyshynski at Puck Daddy,
Ask hardcore hockey fans if Versus is indeed a “hockey network,” and the majority would argue against the claim. Since purchasing the NHL’s cable rights in 2005, the Versus network hasn’t exactly endeared itself to die-hard hockey fans in the U.S. Between the silly mistakes and the self-inflicted wounds to its reputation, there isn’t a month that goes by without some impassioned rant about its failings as the NHL’s cable home or some fan-driven effort in support of the NHL reconciling with its abusive former spouse at ESPN.
To many fans, Versus is a punchline; a jigsaw puzzle of unrelated (and fringe) sports that viewers still can’t find in many hotels or sports bars around the U.S. Its hockey talent and coverage are much maligned, with even the most optimistic fans left frustrated by the approach to its most prized asset not named Lance Armstrong.
Not that any of this troubles the NHL’s cable host, which is available in 74 million homes nationwide.
Filed in: NHL Media, Hockey Broadcasting, VERSUS | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: hockey+bloggers, media, versus,
Media Coverage of the Entry Draft
by Alanah McGinley on 06/17/08 at 01:31 PM ET
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A note from the league --
NHL Network’s special Draft programming begins Friday, June 20, with the NHL Draft Preview Show live from Scotiabank Place at 6 p.m. ET. After all 30 first-round selections are made, NHL Network will be the place to be for the live NHL Draft First Round Recap Show. Fans can tune-in for instant analysis of how their favorite team fared as NHL Network breaks down all of the Round 1 action.
The first round of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft on Friday will start at 7 p.m., ET. In Canada, NHL Network will simulcast TSN’s live coverage of Round 1, which begins at 7 p.m., ET. RDS in Canada also provides live coverage of Round 1. In the U.S., VERSUS will air TSN’s live feed of Round 1 in its entirety. NHL Radio’s live audio coverage of Round 1 can be heard on radio stations across North America, on XM 204 and on NHL.com.
Update 2:16pm ET: George Malik at Snapshots has rounded up a nice selection of online Draft coverage out there today.
Filed in: NHL Talk, NHL Entry Draft, NHL Media, Hockey Broadcasting, NHL Network, VERSUS | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: media, nhl+entry+draft, nhl+network, tsn, versus,
NHL Awards Gala—Watch Live
by Alanah McGinley on 06/12/08 at 07:10 PM ET
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It’s being broadcast live online at CBC Sports. This link should open the player in your browser.
It seems to work in both the United States and Canada, though Americans will probably prefer the television broadcast on Versus (*in Canada, there is a tape delay for TV coverage.)
A few updates and the list of winners—with links to stories on their wins—can all be found below:
Filed in: NHL Talk, NHL Media | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: cbc, media, nhl+awards, versus,
NHL Awards Gala Tonight
by Alanah McGinley on 06/12/08 at 12:22 PM ET
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From CBC:
The best performers in the NHL this past season will be honoured at the league’s annual awards show Thursday night in Toronto, with host Ron MacLean also announcing the 2009 location for the ninth annual presentation of Hockey Day in Canada.
The show will feature a performance by Canadian folk legend and hockey lover Stompin’ Tom Connors, and presenters will include Hockey Hall of Fame members Mike Bossy, Bob Gainey, Billy Smith and Red Kelly.
The event will be broadcast by CBC and Versus. There may be a live feed available online of the red carpet interviews, in which case that will be posted on KK. Also, Bill and the 19 will be liveblogging their way through the evening, and I’ll be adding updates here on the main hockey page of KK.
Out of curiosity, how popular is the NHL’s big award show with hockey fans?
Filed in: NHL Talk | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: cbc, media, nhl+awards, versus,
The Hype Machine is Coming
by Alanah McGinley on 05/27/08 at 01:06 PM ET
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From Michael Farber at SI.com’s Rinkside Blog,
The sound you heard after Detroit’s ditto 3-0 victory Monday was all the people clicking off their Versus telecast of the game, at least by folks who can find the NHL’s subterranean cable partner. NBC picks up the Stanley Cup final with Game 3, which looks like the network is getting the rights to air Titanic but only after the ship is halfway submerged. Still, The Peacock will be cranking up the hype machine at any moment:
“See Sidney Crosby, the future of the NHL, as he tries to escape the straitjacket of the Detroit Red Wings! Harry Houdini did it. Why not Sid? Can the Penguins win a game? Can the Penguins score a goal? See it live on NBC, Wednesday at 8 p.m.”
Of course, there have been soporific starts to recent Stanley Cup finals, including a pair of 3-0 shutouts in the opening two games of the 2003 match between Anaheim and New Jersey when apparently the Mighty Ducks were not informed the final had actually begun. The Ducks rallied at home and indeed the series dragged on for seven games, but the difference was these were not terribly appealing teams that operated in smaller markets.
and more on the Pens/Wings series thus far
Update 1:30pm ET: Darren Eliot, also at SI’s Rinkside Blog, writes on what Pittsburgh must do now to turn the series around.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Detroit Red Wings, Pittsburgh Penguins, NHL Media, Hockey Broadcasting | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: hockey+broadcasting, media, nbc, versus,
Puck Tracking Update
by Alanah McGinley on 05/13/08 at 01:11 PM ET
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A couple days ago, Steve pointed to the story about the interest Versus might have in “puck tracking” (i.e. flashbacks to the infamous glowing puck). Today, William Houston at the Globe & Mail notes that any such plans would be limited:
Versus is pursuing a puck-tracking technology that, according to USA Today, could be used as soon as the next NHL season. This would be for replays rather than live coverage. Anything involving a live application - such as the FoxTrax from the 1990s - would require the NHL’s approval and participation.
*hat-tip to Puck Daddy for the pointer
Filed in: NHL Talk, NHL Media, Hockey Broadcasting, VERSUS | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: versus,
NHL Teleconference—Talking Playoffs with the Media
by Alanah McGinley on 04/07/08 at 03:38 PM ET
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Earlier today, Don Cherry of CBC’s “Hockey Night in Canada”, Mike Emrick from VERSUS and NBC, Pierre McGuire from TSN and NBC and Mike Milbury from NBC and TSN were on a tele-conference discussing the 2008 NHL Playoffs.
You can download the audio [mp3 link] if you like, or listen on the player below. (Be aware that it may take a few minutes to load.)
Update 4:41pm ET: Complete written transcript now available below.
Filed in: NHL Media, Hockey Broadcasting, CBC HNIC, VERSUS | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: cbc, don+cherry, media, mike+emrick, mike+milbury, nbc, pierre+mcguire, versus, vs,
Versus Ratings Up
by Alanah McGinley on 01/29/08 at 04:56 PM ET
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NHL’s television partner has released some of their ratings today, showing growth in viewership over last season. As of January 22, 2008:
- national household ratings up 50%
- total viewership up 36%
Additionally, the NHL All Star Game was the #1 rated NHL telecast for Versus ever, aside from post-season play.
Full content of the press release is below, all figures provided by Neilsen Media and Versus research.
Filed in: NHL Media, Hockey Broadcasting, VERSUS | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: all+star+game+2998, demographics, media, neilsen+ratings, versus, vs,
On the Air from Kosovo
by Alanah McGinley on 12/13/07 at 01:37 PM ET
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From Blackantehm Military News,
“My mom and dad in Michigan are watching,” said Army Spc. Graham Besonen. “It’s important for them to see me and know I’m safe. I’m really a Red Wings fan, but I came to enjoy a hockey game and for my family to see me.”
Most of the pictures were sent to Versus at least a week prior to the game. However, the network wanted to make sure all of the troops were recognized. Just prior to the start of the game, a group photo was taken and e-mailed to Baker. During the third period, the picture was shown on TV.
“I was really impressed with Versus and the NHL putting our pictures on during the game,” said Army Sgt. Rich Allen. “I’ve always been a hockey fan, and to be deployed and see myself on television during a game was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
Filed in: NHL Teams, Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, NHL Talk, NHL Media, Hockey Broadcasting, VERSUS | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: military, versus,
You Be The Judge
by George James Malik on 11/13/07 at 07:40 AM ET
Comments (11)
Versus has an ad promoting today’s If-you-don’t-have-our-channel-it-sucks-to-be-you game between the St. Louis Blues and Detroit Red Wings, and the picture is, to say the least, one of those images that would make a “We didn’t land on the moon” conspiracy theorist giddy as a schoolgirl:
Paul sent this one to me with a simple question--is this really Chris Chelios?--and when he suggested that it looked more like Brendan Shanahan, save the 06-07 Easton gloves, I agreed. As a hockey picture hound, however, I went to town on the image, looking for inconsistencies…
Filed in: NHL Media, Hockey Broadcasting, VERSUS | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: marketing, media, versus,
A Conversation with Keith Jones
by Alanah McGinley on 10/19/07 at 03:20 PM ET
Comments (2)
Today I had a chance to chat with Keith Jones—“Jonesy”—about his 8 year NHL career with the Washington Capitals, the Colorado Avalanche and Philadelphia Flyers. Jonesy was good enough to share the story of his unusual journey to the NHL, as well as his media work these days with Versus.
Jonesy has a book out, co-authored with ESPN’s John Buccigross (whom Paul interviewed earlier), titled “Jonesy: Put Your Head Down and Skate: The Improbable Career of Keith Jones.” The proceeds from this book go to Alex’s Lemonade Stand, a Philadelphia-area charity which helps the childhood victims of cancer.
The interview can be heard on the flash player below, (or you can download the mp3 audio file here).
Filed in: KK Website Business, KK Interviews, NHL Media | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: interview, keith+jones, media, versus,
