End of the Week, Hockey Night in Canada Open Thread and Announcers
7PM, Washington vs. Toronto, CBC Full Network, NHL Net
Play by Play: Jim Hughson
Color: Craig Simpson
Inside the Glass: Glenn Healy
Reporter: Elliotte Friedman
7PM, Detroit vs. Montreal, CBC Quebec
Play by Play: Bob Cole
Color: Greg Millen and Guy Carbonneau
Reporter: Cassie Campbell
7PM, Buffalo vs. Ottawa, CBC Ottawa
Play by Play: Dean Brown
Color: Gary Galley
10PM, Chicago vs. Edmonton, CBC Full Network
Play by Play: Mark Lee
Color: Kevin Weekes
Reporter: Scott Oake
NHL Network Featured Schedule Next Week
Monday, Nov. 23
12:00 NHL Live
4:00 NHL Power Play
6:30 Off the Ice: Rick Nash, Tim Thomas, Victor Hedman
8:00 NHL On the Fly
Tuesday, Nov. 24
12:00 NHL Live
4:00 NHL Power Play
8:00 NHL On the Fly
Wednesday, Nov. 25
12:00 NHL Live
4:00 NHL Power Play
8:00 NHL On the Fly
Thursday, Nov. 26
12:00 NHL.com Viewer’s Choice Game
2:00 NHL.com Viewer’s Choice Game
4:00 NHL Power Play
6:00 NHL.com Viewer’s Choice Game
8:00 NHL On the Fly
Friday, Nov. 27
4:00 NHL Power Play
8:00 NHL On the Fly
9:30 NCAA Hockey: St. Cloud State vs. Denver
12:00 NHL On the Fly
Saturday, Nov. 28
6:30 Hockey Night Pregame
7:00 LIVE: Washington vs. Montreal
9:30 Hockey Night Postgame
10:00 NHL On the Fly
Sunday, Nov. 29
6:00 Vintage Games: Los Angeles vs. NY Rangers Outdoors in Las Vegas
7:30 Ivy and Ice: All-Access at the 2009 Winter Classic
8:00 NHL On the Fly
VERSUS-DirecTV Fight Could See End in RSN Battles
John Ourand of SportsBusinessJournal Reports:
Comcast and DirecTV are engaged in a series of RSN carriage battles that potentially could help the Comcast-owned Versus secure a deal with the satellite operator within the next several months.
DirecTV is carrying four of Comcast’s RSNs out of contract. Meanwhile, Comcast’s deals with three Liberty Media RSNs expire at the end of the year, about the same time DirecTV is expected to take control of Liberty’s regional networks.
Given the way cable operators and programmers typically conduct business, it’s not a stretch to believe that Comcast will agree to renew Liberty’s RSNs if DirecTV agrees to carry Versus. But DirecTV can only make a deal like this when it gets control of Liberty’s RSNs, which is expected to happen in the next 30-60 days.
“Any time companies of that size with so many varied parts of business get into discussions, those discussions carry a wide range of issues,” said media consultant Neal Pilson. “Given the degree of skill, experience and expertise executives at Comcast and DirecTV have, I’d be astonished if Versus carriage did not find its way onto the agenda.”
Strachan Unhappy with Firing
William Houston Reports:
Al Strachan, who was fired from Hockey Night In Canada a few weeks ago, has sent a lawyer’s letter to the CBC stating that he was unfairly dismissed.
Strachan was removed from his spot on the Hotstove panel after the CBC learned that his new book, Why The Leafs Suck, identified him on the cover as “from Hockey Night In Canada.” Permission had not been given to the publisher, Harper Collins, to use the show’s name. Hockey Night markets its own publications and did not want its brand appearing on a competitor’s book. Strachan’s letter states that he was an innocent third party in a dispute between the CBC and Harper Collins.
Canadian readers: Do you think Strachan deserved it?
Well, I Guess We Know What the NHL Network Thinks Is An Exciting Game
As you’ll discover tomorrow, the NHL Network is playing a “Best of 09-10 So Far” marathon on Thanksgiving. Here are the choices, according to NHL.com:
#1: Oct 6 – PHI 6, WSH 5 (OT)#2: Oct 8 – PIT 5, PHI 4#3: Oct 10 – BOS 4, NYI 3 (SO)#4: Oct 12 – CHI 6, CGY 5 (OT)#5: Oct 22 – NSH 6, OTT 5 (OT)#6: Oct 24 – MTL 5, NYR 4 (OT)#7: Oct 27 – DET 5, VAN 4
Official: Battle of the Blades Renewed
CBC Television announced today that its hit series BATTLE OF THE BLADES, featuring world-class figure skaters and former NHL’ers, will return next fall for a second season. The 14-episode series sold out to live audiences every week, and wrapped up on Monday, Nov. 16 with an unconfirmed television audience of 1.736 million tuning in for the one-hour results finale.
Overall viewership has been tremendous, with an average of 1.749 million viewers 2+ watching the seven performance shows on Sunday evenings, and 1.332 million Canadians 2+ tuning in for the Monday night results shows. Combined, BATTLE OF THE BLADES reached one out of three Canadians with a total unduplicated reach of over 10 million.
“We could not be happier with the audience and advertising response to this truly Canadian series,” said Kirstine Stewart, general manager, CBC Television. “CBC continues to generate successful and relevant top-tier programming and the return of Battle of the Blades is another welcome addition to our star-studded lineup.”
The program’s unique format and mass appeal provided an ideal platform for advertisers. Season one sponsors DanActive, ARTISTRY Brands, McDonald’s and Kruger Products showcased their brands to millions of Canadians through innovative program integrations and sponsorship opportunities, including: co-branded vignettes; the DanActive Warm-up Zone; the ARTISTRY Style Studio; and signage and product sampling at the legendary Maple Leaf Gardens. Season two of BATTLE OF THE BLADES will provide even more customized opportunities for advertisers to connect with Canadians.
The overwhelming response to the show concept has led Insight Productions to look at expanding the franchise globally.
“We are thrilled that Battle of the Blades has captured such a wide and diverse male and female viewing audience,” said John Brunton, president & executive producer, Insight Productions. “It has tremendous international potential as a big name sports and entertainment brand, and we look forward to growing this franchise significantly over the coming years.”
Viewers can learn more about the competitors at www.cbc.ca/battle, the official online portal for the series and the source for everything about BATTLE OF THE BLADES. In addition to videos and behind-the-scene photos, the site offers viewers the opportunity to become fans of their favourite pair and track each participant’s activity as they strive to be the final pair remaining at the end of the series.
BATTLE OF THE BLADES is the brainchild of Kevin Albrecht with development by Sandra Bezic. BATTLE OF THE BLADES executive producers are John Brunton, Barbara Bowlby and Kevin Albrecht. It is produced by Insight Productions in association with CBC Television.
VERSUS Ratings This Season Continue to Fluctuate
VERSUS’ broadcast of Pittsburgh-Boston drew 408,000 viewers last Tuesday, the network’s fourth highest-rated NHL broadcast of the season. Monday night’s Los Angeles-Chicago telecast drew only 197,000 viewers, the channel’s third-lowest of the year. Chicago has now been featured in VERSUS’ three lowest-rated games of the season.
Thanks to John Ourand for these numbers. Unavailable are the numbers for the October Minnesota-Chicago game, if anyone can help us out, send an e-mail my way:
1. Washington vs. Boston (10/1/09) 501,000 viewers
2. Philadelphia vs. Washington (10/27/09) 477,000 viewers
3. Detroit vs. Buffalo (10/13/09) 467,000 viewers
4. Pittsburgh vs. Boston (11/9/09) 408,000 viewers
5. Washington vs. Philadelphia (10/6/09) 405,000 viewers
6. San Jose vs. Colorado (10/1/09) 332,000 viewers
7. St. Louis vs. Detroit (10/2/09) 278,000 viewers
8. NY Rangers vs. New Jersey (10/5/09) 269,000 viewers
9. Los Angeles vs. Chicago (10/10/09) 197,000 viewers
10. Calgary vs. Chicago (10/12/09) 177,000 viewers
11. Florida vs. Chicago (10/2/09) 100,000 viewers
NOTE: Off Day
I have a job interview (New Meadowlands Stadium, basically applying for the same job I have at the old one) and a huge paper to finish (10-minute speech on pre-production) so I’m taking the day off. We might do something after 7PM, when we’re no longer busy.
Here’s your 90’s Wednesday, thanks for understanding. Maybe submit some mailbag Tuesday questions.
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