NHL Network To Add Team Cams, Connecticut Studios On the Way

This great article from Jason Dachman at Sports Video Group looks at some of the NHL Net’s enhancements this season:

The NHL Network will drop the puck on the 2010-11 season tonight on the verge of completing a host of production and operations enhancements. These include a master-control center to be launched in February, a TeamCam system that will soon be available at every NHL arena, and a fully redesigned New York City studio that is already being used for the network’s daily news and talk show, NHL Live.

“We’re extremely excited for the start of the season,” says NHL Network VP of Programming Bob Chesterman. “NHL Live and NHL on the Fly have new start times [5 p.m. and 7 p.m. ET, respectively], and we’ve got a lot more in the works this year.”

NBC Sports Network to Televise Notre Dame Hockey Home Games Starting in 2013-14

Two years from now, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish will have what Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick called “a more robust television program than any hockey team in the country,” thanks to an agreement with NBC Sports Network.

In conjunction with the University of Notre Dame’s move in conferences from the CCHA to Hockey East, the program announced today what had been speculated about for a couple of days, that NBC Sports Network will televise Irish hockey home games, including a package of Hockey East games, starting with the 2013-14 NCAA Hockey season, as Swarbrick and John Miller, President of NBC Sports/VERSUS (VERSUS will change it’s name to NBC Sports Network on January 2, 2012) announced at the press conference confirming Notre Dame’s move to Hockey East today in South Bend. Details were scant and, according to Swarbrick, more “will emerge in the coming weeks.”

Miller states that the deal is an extension of the network’s relationship with Notre Dame “Our relationship with Notre Dame is one of our most important partnerships and has been for in excess of 20 years. And the opportunity to broadcast Notre Dame hockey games as well as Hockey East games is something that was very exciting for us as we rebrand the NBC Sports Network, and we’re excited about what the future holds.” NBC has been the home for Notre Dame football since 1990, and has a current agreement to televise home games through 2015.

This is the first step into televising college hockey for VERSUS, which has been the home of the National Hockey League on cable television since 2005, when it was known as OLN. Since coming under the same umbrella as the NHL’s broadcast partner, NBC, the two networks renewed their agreements in a 10-year, $2 billion contract. There have been some separate rumors of VERSUS beginning to televise college hockey from various conference as soon as this January, which appear to be unaffected by today’s announcement. The guarantee, however, is that NBC Sports Network will be the home for both professional and college hockey by the end of 2013.

VERSUS, Notre Dame Make Agreement to Televise Home Games Official

From Ken Schott:

The announcement of Notre Dame joining Hockey East starting in 2013-14 has been made official.

Also announced is that NBC Sports Network will televise Notre Dame home games beginning at the same time.

NBC Sports Network is currently known as Versus. The sports channel will change its name to NBC Sports Network on Jan. 2.

NBC Sports Network is also expected to televise college hockey regular-season games, most likely starting in January.

 

VERSUS is Ready to Go with Opening Night

NEW YORK (October 5, 2011)— The NBC Sports Group drops the puck on the NHL season tomorrow, with a double-header on VERSUS when the Stanley Cup Champion Boston Bruins host the Philadelphia Flyers at 7 p.m. ET, followed by the 2011 Western Conference Champion Vancouver Canucks hosting the Pittsburgh Penguins at 10 p.m. ET. Coverage begins at 6:30 p.m. ET with NHL Live, the network’s studio show.

 

The team of Mike ‘Doc’ Emrick (play-by-play), Eddie Olczyk (analyst) and Pierre McGuire (‘Inside the Glass’ analyst) will call the action in Boston with Dave Strader (play-by-play) and Brian Engblom (‘Inside the Glass’ analyst) calling the game from Vancouver. Host Liam McHugh, analysts Mike Milbury and Keith Jones begin their second season together covering intermissions as well as pre- and post-game on NHL Live.

 

The action continues on VERSUS with NHL Premiere™ Games, two overseas games live from Stockholm, Sweden, on Friday as the New York Rangers take on the Los Angeles Kings at 1 p.m. ET and Saturday when the Rangers battle the Anaheim Ducks at 1 p.m. ET.

 

OUTLOOK ON THE SEASON

 

EDDIE OLCZYK ON KINGS CHANCES FOR IMPROVEMENT THIS SEASON: “I really think that the LA Kings are on the verge of really taking that next step and I would be really disappointed if they didn’t take that next step. Not a lot of people are talking about the LA Kings. So to me, I think that they’re one of those teams in the Western Conference that has really a legitimate chance to get to the Western Conference final this season.”

 

PIERRE MCGUIRE ON SAN JOSE TAKING THE NEXT STEP: “I think they’ve done an unbelievable job if you look at their depth down the middle especially acquiring Michal Handzus in the offseason and the development of Logan Couture. I think everybody knows what Joe Thornton’s about. And then you look at going out and getting Brent Burns and Martin Havlat. Burns has had a spectacular training camp for San Jose. I’ve watched San Jose a lot this preseason. He’s been excellent and they needed to upgrade their speed quotient. They’ve done that by getting Havlat. But I think the biggest question for San Jose is their goaltending situation especially with the injuries.”

 

MIKE MILBURY ON THE CAPITALS DO OR DIE SEASON: “I think there’s got to be a couple of bulls eyes in my opinion. And yes, Bruce Boudreau is certainly going to have scrutiny on what he does. But it’s time for Alex Ovechkin, one of the great players in the game and one of the great hard workers in the game, to work with the intelligence that’s necessary to be effective.”

 

MCGUIRE ON LIGHTNING COMPETING WITH THE CAPITALS FOR THE DIVISION TITLE: “Part of the reason why is the Stamkos factor. The other part of the reason why is the Boucher factor. I think when you do a tale of the tape and you breakdown coaches, you breakdown impact players, you breakdown depth on defense, they have a real chance of doing that.”

 

MCGUIRE ON SABRES BEING AN INTRIUGING TEAM: “Buffalo was so close for so long but then they had to lose all their key components like Drury, like Briere. They don’t have to do that anymore. And I love where this thing is going. And Buffalo is going to cause a lot of heartache. They’re going to cause a lot of heartache.”

 

OLCZYK ON THE RED WINGS: “[They’ll be] right where they always are. Always competing for the conference, always competing for a division championship. You know, it’s amazing the consistency aspect of it. It’s amazing of looking at their roster and seeing some players that maybe are on the back nine or maybe have had a tough time.”

 

The NBC Sports Group will offer hockey fans more coverage than ever before during the 2011-12 NHL regular season. The schedule is highlighted by 100 regular-season games across NBC and VERSUS, which will be re-branded the NBC Sports Network midway through the season on January 2; expanded exclusive cable coverage, including Wednesday and Sunday nights, and live 30-minute pre- and post-game shows for every game on VERSUS; the Winter Classic on January 2 between the New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers and the return of Hockey Day in America on NBC and NHL All-Star Weekend on VERSUS; the introduction of a Thanksgiving Friday NBC broadcast; and national distribution of all Stanley Cup Playoff games.

 

NBC commences its broadcast coverage earlier than ever with a special original-six match-up on Friday, November 25, at 1 p.m. ET, the day after Thanksgiving. The Stanley Cup Champion Bruins will host the 2008 Stanley Cup Champion Red Wings live from the TD Bank Garden in Boston. NBC will once again air the much-anticipated 2012 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic® on Monday, January 2, at 1 p.m. ET, when the Philadelphia Flyers host the New York Rangers live from Citizens Bank Park, home of the Philadelphia Phillies.

Final VERSUS Totals For Pre-Season NHL Games

NHL Pre-Season broadcasts on VERSUS

Sept. 21, 7:00 p.m. ET – Toronto vs. Philadelphia: 68,000 viewers
Sept. 26, 7:00 p.m. ET – NY Rangers vs. Philadelphia: 106,000 viewers
Sept. 28, 8:30 p.m. ET – Detroit vs. Chicago: 87,000 viewers
Sept. 29, 7:00 p.m. ET – New Jersey vs. Philadelphia: 102,000 viewers
Average: 90,750 viewers

(Sources: Son of the Bronx, Sports TV Ratings)

NBC Sports Network May Have Separate Contract with Notre Dame Hockey

From Mike McMahon of the Eagle-Tribune, in a story about the Fighting Irish’s decision to join Hockey East:

Notre Dame’s decision was based largely on television. Soon, each conference in the country will announce its own television deal with NBC Sports Network (what Versus will turn into in January) to air college hockey games nationally. Notre Dame has reached its own agreement with NBC Sports to air its games, separately from the conference contract.

The NCHC, according to sources, was reluctant to go along with Notre Dame’s television wishes.

Devils-Flyers Improve VERSUS Pre-Season Numbers

VERSUS saw growth from it’s pre-season debut to it’s pre-season finale, if the numbers for Thursday are any indication.

The last of the network’s exhibition broadcasts, a Devils-Flyers tilt, drew and 0.1 rating and 102,000 viewers. This was a growth of 34% over the network’s opening pre-season broadcast of Maple Leafs-Flyers (68,000 viewers). Note that, while the latter game aired in neither home market on VERSUS, New Jersey-Philadelphia did air in the New York market. The game grew 81% from the episode of NBC Sports Talk (20,000 viewers) that aired before it. VERSUS followed up hockey with a new episode of their football series, NFL Turning Point (66,000 viewers).

Ratings for VERSUS Monday (Rangers-Flyers) and Wednesday (Red Wings-Blackhawks) were unavailable at this time.

Your NHL National TV Schedule For the Opening Week

Thursday, October 6

Philadelphia vs. Boston, 7:00 p.m. ET, VERSUS

Play by Play: Mike Emrick
Color: Eddie Olczyk
Inside the Glass: Pierre McGuire

Montreal vs. Toronto, 7:00 p.m. ET, CBC

Play by Play: Jim Hughson
Color: Craig Simpson
Inside the Glass: Glenn Healy
Reporter: Elliotte Friedman

Pittsburgh vs. Vancouver, 10:00 p.m. ET

National TV (Canada): CBC
Play by Play: Mark Lee
Color: Kevin Weekes
Reporter: Scott Oake

National TV (US): VERSUS
Play by Play: Dave Strader
Inside the Glass: Brian Engblom

Friday, October 7

NY Rangers vs. Los Angeles, 1:00 p.m. ET, VERSUS
Play by Play: Mike Emrick
Color: Pierre McGuire

Anaheim vs. Buffalo, 1:00 p.m. ET, TSN2

Saturday, October 8

NY Rangers vs. Anaheim, 1:00 p.m. ET, VERSUS/TSN
Play by Play: Dave Strader
Color: Pierre McGuire

Los Angeles vs. Buffalo, 2:00 p.m. ET, TSN2

Tampa Bay vs. Boston, 7:00 p.m. ET, NHL Network (US)

Ottawa vs. Toronto, 7:00 p.m. ET, CBC
Play by Play: Jim Hughson
Color: Craig Simpson
Inside the Glass: Glenn Healy
Reporter: Elliotte Friedman

Pittsburgh vs. Calgary, 10:00 p.m. ET, CBC
Play by Play: Mark Lee
Color: Kevin Weekes
Reporter: Scott Oake

Sunday, October 9

Montreal vs. Winnipeg, 5:00 p.m. ET, CBC/NHL Network (US)
Play by Play: Jim Hughson
Color: Craig Simpson
Inside the Glass: Glenn Healy
Reporter: Scott Oake

What’s New on Puck the Media This Season

Here’s an introduction to the new features on the site this season:

• Random Cities – This is the thing I am most excited about. Instead of flat, same ol’ same ol’ interviews, I’ve come up with Random Cities. I ask various broadcasters around the league to talk about various NHL and minor/college cities they’ve been to for entertaining anecdotes from their travels. The first one, with the legendary Bob Miller, goes up next Monday, and the plan is for them to run every other Monday throughout the year.
• Weekly Announcing Schedules – Instead of doing it every night, the announcing schedule will go up once a week, and act as more of a weekly TV schedule from VERSUS, NBC, NHL Net, CBC and TSN. Announcers will ideally be all set at the start of the week, but if there’s a change or add-on, it’ll be reinserted on the top of the page. The first one goes up at 2 p.m. ET today. On weeks where there’s a Random Cities, it’ll go up at Noon ET. On weeks where there isn’t one, it’ll be up at 10 a.m. ET. On weeks when I’m expecting NBC ratings, it’ll go up at 2 p.m. ET. Just check in every Monday to find it.
• More Frequent Ratings - I’m very proud of how, with help from frequent collaborator Son of the Bronx – the site has become a real go-to for NHL ratings in the states. Those will be more frequent, considering the games will be more frequent. I’m hoping to do the same for CBC.

That’s it, for now. I hope you enjoy the season, and thank you for reading Puck the Media, as you and I head into our fourth NHL campaign together. Wow, right?

HNIC Returns with New Weekly Show, Jets Special

October 3, 2011 – The wait is finally over as CBC’S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA (@hockeynight) drops the puck on its 59th season with a dynamic, action-packed opening weekend featuring the best matchups, special events, features and broadcast talent in the industry. Plus, the Winnipeg Jets are back!

“The return of NHL action on CBC’S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA is always cause for celebration, but it’s especially sweet this year as we say ‘welcome back’ to the great hockey city of Winnipeg and celebrate the return of the Winnipeg Jets,” said Julie Bristow, executive director of studio and unscripted programming for CBC Television.

It all gets underway on CBC Television, Thursday, Oct. 6, at 6:30 p.m. ET, with Molson Canadian NHL Face-Off, live from The Forks in Winnipeg, including live musical performances from Three Days Grace and hometown legends Bachman and Turner. Ron MacLean hosts the broadcast from the AirCanada Centre in Toronto, while CBC’s George Stroumboulopoulos (@strombo) emcees the festivities from The Forks alongside new Hockey Night teammember Andi Petrillo.

Following the celebration pre-game show, the game takes centre stage as the Toronto Maple Leafs take on the Montreal Canadiens, at 7 p.m. ET, followed by the Vancouver Canucks versus the Pittsburgh Penguins, at 10 p.m. ET. DonCherry makes his much-anticipated return with Coach’s Corner inthe first intermission of Leafs-Habs. Fans will also be treated to coverage of the Stanley Cup banner raising in Boston.

New to the CBC’S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA lineup is the weekly show HNIC Game Day, a full hour of hockey coverage every Saturday, debuting Oct. 8, at 5 p.m. ET. Hosted by the team’s newest member, Andi Petrillo, and veteran P.J. Stock, this one-hour show will set the table for the evening’s games, and also feature stories and interviews about the culture of hockey with the players, personalities and famous Canadians thatlove the game. Hockey Night favourite Stock begins his fifth season with the broadcast, while fan favourite Petrillo joins from Leafs TV, where she hosted and reported.

Saturday night then sees Scotiabank Hockey Tonight, at 6:30 p.m. ET, followed by Ottawa at Toronto, at 7 p.m. ET, and Pittsburgh at Calgary, at 10 p.m. ET.

Rounding out the weekend, one of the most anticipated hockey games in recent memory, as the Winnipeg Jets return to the NHL against the Montreal Canadiens, Sunday, Oct. 9, live from Winnipeg. Scotiabank Hockey Tonight sets it all up, at 4 p.m. ET, then the puck drops at 5 p.m. ET. Prior to the game, glimpse the passion this city feels for their team with the documentary Fuelled by Passion – The Return of the Jets, an in-depth look at the re-birth of the NHL in Winnipeg and what it means to fans, players, teams and the league. It airs both Friday, Oct. 7, at 8 p.m. (8:30 NT), and Sunday, Oct. 9, at 3 p.m. ET.

CBC’S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA’s schedule this season includes special events such as the 2012 NHL Winter Classic featuring an outdoor game between the Philadelphia Flyers and the New York Rangers; the 2012 NHL All-Star SuperSkills and 59th NHL All-Star Game from Ottawa; and the much-anticipated Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada, the 12th annual day-long celebration of the game featuring four Canadian matchups and coverage from Charlottetown and Summerside, P.E.I., on Feb. 11.

Coach’s Corner will be back every Saturday, with the legendary Don Cherry in his 32nd season with CBC’S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA. The Hotstove also returns with MacLean, Mike Milbury, Kelly Hrudey (@KellyHrudey), Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC), Eric Francis (@EricFrancis) and P.J Stock as regular contributors, providing commentary on the latest issues and rumours around the NHL. After Hours with hosts Scott Oake (@ScottOake) and Kevin Weekes (@KevinWeekes) rounds out the full night of hockey with live post-game interviews featuring NHL players and personalities.

New this year is Elliotte Friedman’s role. He’ll be manning the Chevy iDesk, taking viewers behind the headlines with his insider reporting on the game’s biggest stories. Jim Hughson, Bob Cole, Mark Lee and Dean Brown will provide hockey fans from across the country with the very best in play-by-play. Expert analysts Craig Simpson, Glenn Healy, Greg Millen (@GregMillen), Garry Galley, Weekes, Hrudey and Milbury all return this season, and rink-side reporting duties and expert analysis will be provided by Elliotte Friedman,Cassie Campbell-Pascal (@CassieCampbell) and Oake.

Joining the all-star cast this season is David Amber (@DavidAmber), CBC’S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA’s newest Eastern Conference rink-side reporter, while newcomers Rick Ball and Daryl Reaugh will join the West Coast broadcast team covering the Jets, Flames and Oilers.

Former NHL front office executive, author and veteran radio personality Gord Stellick (@GordStellick) also joins the Hockey Night family as host on HNIC Radio on SIRIUS Satellite Radio beginning Oct. 3 on Channel 97 and Chanel 127, airing Monday through Friday from 3 to 6 p.m.E.T. Stellick will be joined by co-hosts Hrudey, Simpson and Campbell throughout the season to provide insight and analysis on all matters in theworld of hockey.

The complete broadcast schedule of the 2011-12 season is available on the newly re-designed CBCSports.ca, the fan’s online home for hockey. Along with its new look providing enhanced navigation for fans, the site will continue to include up-to-the-minute hockey news, live and on-demand video streaming of every game and expert blogs, including Friedman’s 30 Thoughts column, and regular insights from Tim Wharnsby (@WharnsCBCSports). Also new this year, are re-designs for Hockey Night’s popular iPhone and iPad applications, keeping fans up to date with instant access to stats and results from all NHL games, along with live streaming.