NHL on NBC

NBC extends contract with NHL to next season




Posted: April 23, 2008
Sporting News staff reports




NBC announced Wednesday that it has exercised its option to carry the NHL next season, including 10 "Sunday Game of the Week" broadcasts and up to 15 playoff games.
Sporting News' sister publication SportsBusiness Daily first reported that the contract would be extended, as the network enjoys ratings growth and the NHL's popularity increases. Last year, NBC extended what originally had been a two-year deal.
Regular season ratings increased by 11 percent this year, thanks largely to the popular Winter Classic. There had been speculation that NBC might pass on the option, opening a window for ESPN to grab the package.
NBC Universal Sports & Olympics Chairman Dick Ebersol said, "Ratings were up this year; the Winter Classic in Buffalo was a huge success; advertising sales were healthy; and the product on the ice has never been better, led by young, marketable stars such as [Sidney] Crosby and [Alexander] Ovechkin." "This is great news for the NHL and its fans," commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement. "NBC has been a great partner and its innovations to the broadcasts have helped bring fans inside the game like never before."

 

I like the Sunday afternoon NHL on NBC. I think Pierre McGuire and Milbury are good at the intermission, but they need to quit talking over each other so much. I heard the next Classic was either going to be Detroit and the Rangers at Yankee Stadium, or Detroit and the Blackhawks at Wrigley. The only problem with Yankee Stadium is it would be the last event there before tearing it down, so the NHL would have to pay to keep the plumbing in order after the BB season ends which would cost about $200,000. I think.

 

You guys really do watch this stuff? LoL.

 

Stay out of the hockey forum redface before you get suspended.

 

Wouldn't Giants Stadium be better? More seats, artificial field under the ice....I "get" the whole idea behind Yankee Stadium, but 200K would keep the game outta there if I ran the NHL.

 

Oh hell no you dint? You might want to check the round 1 results. unega gitli.

 

An announcement is expected later this month for the 2009 Winter Classic, the second one pitting the Chicago Blackhawks and the Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings at fabled Wrigley Field, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported on its Web site.

 

I saw that--figures the arrogant Bears think they'll be good, so they won't play it there. they could get a Buffalo-sized crowd at Soldier Field, instead they'll play it in that shithole Wrigley.

 

Too bad Ford Field is a dome. As history has shown, there's not much chance the Lions will still be playing then.

 

yeah, but I like having the home ice....ok, kidding.