Fishin', Huntin', and Hockey

[VegasVic]

From the folks that bring you the All-Star BBQ Showdown.


Report: NHL on verge of U.S. cable deal

Canadian Press

8/9/2005 2:50:27 AM
PHILADELPHIA (CP) - The NHL is on the verge of signing off with a new U.S. cable TV partner, according to a report in the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Comcast has formally submitted a two-year bid in excess of $100 million US to televise NHL games beginning this fall, sources directly involved in the discussions told the Inquirer in Tuesday's edition.

The deal calls for Comcast to televise two games a week nationally. The cable giant plans to put the games on its on its Outdoor Life Network, (Channel 73 Cox Cable in Vegas), which is also available in Canada.
Comcast submitted its bid over the weekend, according to the Inquirer. The NHL could act on it by this weekend. The company is a major owner of the Philadelphia Flyers.
Comcast spokesperson Tim Fitzpatrick declined Monday to comment on the network's interest in the NHL. The NHL also declined when reached by the Inquirer.

If the NHL approves the deal, the contract will be forwarded to ESPN. In April, ESPN opted not to renew its $70-million option to televise the NHL for 2005-06 and 2006-07, but ESPN retains the right to match the new offer, a source told the Inquirer. ESPN has carried NHL games in the United States since 1985.
The NHL also has a national broadcast deal with NBC but needed a new cable partner after ESPN withdrew in April.

 

[Paterno]

This is horrible for NHL....You know they are praying ESPN matches the offer!

 

[BIGSHOTMAXXX]

how is this aweful? comcast is HUGE, they will be able to provide games nationally, they are also in the works to start a "espn" clone network. this would be a big step towards that goal. i guess if you live in an area that comcast does not provide service to, yet, this proposal would sound strange, but this company has its shit together, they are currently rolling out dig voice phone service down the whole east coast, as well as providing high speed internet. i think this is an awesome move for the nhl and comcast....

 

[VegasVic]

Any deal is better than what they have now but televising two games a week nationally is not much of a step up. Not exactly the way to sell the game to the masses and increase a fan base.

Personally I'm thankful for the Center Ice package.

 

[Jambruins]

as long as someone shows NHL games

Any deal is better than what they have now but televising two games a week nationally is not much of a step up. Not exactly the way to sell the game to the masses and increase a fan base.

Personally I'm thankful for the Center Ice package.

 

[Jambruins]

hopefully espn matches them

as long as someone shows NHL games