NHL Net Looks to Add Pregame Show, Get to 50 Million Homes
August 21, 2009 11 Comments
SNL interactive had an interview with NHL Net U.S. general manager Jody Shapiro and NHL COO John Collins about a mixed bag of things. Tim Doyle’s entire interview is here. A short selection:
In terms of programming, we’re looking at doing a pregame show before each night, which would be a whip-around to each one of the arenas, the skate before the game, interviews and analysis that night so people can get a real feeling for what’s on tap that evening.
We also have plans for live shows during the day.
Do this, NHL Network, please do this. It’s been rumored forever that the network is launching a new studio this coming season, put it to use!
Puck The Media 
It’s good that the NHL is giving some attention to their network.
I have to say their offerings this summer have been pretty dull. One simple thing they could have done is dip into the NHL’s video vault and show games from the distant past instead of showing last year’s playoffs. I’m sure it all comes down to money, but they missed a bit of an opportunity this summer to keep folks interested in hockey.
Most every day they have had games from 09 playoffs.
Pregame show should be good, but nothing will match THAT’S HOCKEY on TSN nightly at 7PM ET.
>>Most every day they have had games from 09 playoffs.
Yes indeed and I just wonder why they decided to do this. If they want to show old games make them vintage classics. These games do exist because even ESPN America in Europe has been showing them….
Would this pregame show only be on the American NHL Network or will it be in Canada as well?
just thinking that if TSN has a good pregame show, and TSN owns the Canadian version of NHL Network, then why would NHL Network want to compete with TSN in Canada, and for the US viewers, just air it (like they give us some other TSN programming). If it’s not daily (I really don’t know it), make it daily for NHL Network and/or TSN so that we can all see it every day.
bulking up the programming and airing the studio show in HD would both be really good things.
They don’t need a pre-game show on NHLN Canada. Every sports network has one already. They wouldn’t get many viewers for it.
It will be on both. Agree HD studio and highlight package are needed.
Agreed HD is needed, but won’t come this season. Pre-game show should be in the loop (they are still ironing out details) and they hope to have a new set/look for the start of the season but time is running out to get it done in time.
The NHL Network needs to do like the MLB Network does, and have a continuous live show with highlights, cut ins to live ongoing games, lively and thoughtful conversation, and brief historical flashbacks. The show should start around 6:30 pm ET with pregame coverage and continue until the final games in San Jose, Los Angeles, Anaheim, Vancouver, and/or Phoenix are finished around 1:30am ET. On nights when the network has a live game(s) to broadcast, this program could begin immediately after the completion of the game they have broadcast and run as late as would be required. A Saturday and Sunday afternoon pregame show should also be put on the air, with updates through the afternoon and early evening at the top and bottom of each hour for about two – three minutes with scores, highlights, and news. This should also be the case on holidays when early games are scheduled like Columbus Day, Presidents Day, and others.
Here’s an excellent article on the problems facing the NHL Network…
http://www.viewfrommyseats.com/2009/07/make-the-nhl-network-better/
The NHL does need to address some of this with its partner “Comcast”, but perhaps that’s a lesser priority to sorting out the DirecTV Versus/Comcast feud.
And here’s another good article on the NHL Network….
http://media.www.wcuquad.com/media/storage/paper676/news/2009/08/24/Entertainment/Column.Hold.The.Cheese-3756411.shtml#3