Sporting News: NHL annual media rights fee could top $200 million

[stationless listener]

http://aol.sportingnews.com/nhl/story/2011-04-12/nhl-annual-media-rights-fee-could-top-200-million

The "big news" from this article is that not only are ESPN and NBC/Versus bidding, as previously thought, but also that Fox is no longer in the picture. However, the kicker here is that Turner is actually interested in the NHL package. Turner is said to prefer bidding for the NFL in 2013 but would also like to buy into the NHL to put games on its truTV channel. I personally don't think the NHL would wind up there but it is on more homes than Versus and close to the number of homes that get ESPN2. So it does make some sense to bring up that idea.

NBC/Versus has the right to match any offer according to their current contract.

 

[radiolives]

Turner wants sports, just look at how well they did with March Madness. First time to see all the college basketball games instead of a selection of games only seen on CBS. NBA is TNT, MLB is TBS, so NHL is truTV (maybe). NBC and Versus still hold the advantage over truTV and ESPN.

 

[stationi]

Wow pretty interesting. The NHL rights for Versus the last few years has been around $75 million a year. For Versus to remain a viable sports channel they need an agreement with at least one major sports league otherwise their network will end up being like a fishing and bull riding channel.

 

[Mediafrog+]

Turner wants sports, just look at how well they did with March Madness. First time to see all the college basketball games instead of a selection of games only seen on CBS. NBA is TNT, MLB is TBS, so NHL is truTV (maybe). NBC and Versus still hold the advantage over truTV and ESPN.

I suspect a rebranding (again) of TruTV is in order should it add more sports.

Wow pretty interesting. The NHL rights for Versus the last few years has been around $75 million a year. For Versus to remain a viable sports channel they need an agreement with at least one major sports league otherwise their network will end up being like a fishing and bull riding channel.

My guess is that Comcast/NBCUniversal will, in the end, cough up enough money to keep the NHL on Versus. Probably better for the NHL anyway, as it would be a second or third class citizen in the ESPN galaxy. I don't think Versus would want the UFL and the NDBL winding up as its star attractions.

 

[radiolives]

Turner wants sports, just look at how well they did with March Madness. First time to see all the college basketball games instead of a selection of games only seen on CBS. NBA is TNT, MLB is TBS, so NHL is truTV (maybe). NBC and Versus still hold the advantage over truTV and ESPN.

I suspect a rebranding (again) of TruTV is in order should it add more sports.

Why? Its only the name of the TV network.

 

[JeeperOne]

Turner wants sports, just look at how well they did with March Madness. First time to see all the college basketball games instead of a selection of games only seen on CBS. NBA is TNT, MLB is TBS, so NHL is truTV (maybe). NBC and Versus still hold the advantage over truTV and ESPN.

NHL on TruTV would NEVER fly. NHL on TBS would fly (As long as it didn't conflict with MLB that is)

The only reason why TruTV was included in the March Madness deal was because it was temporary & served as a overflow outlet to TBS & TNT during their coverage. Though with CBS rebranding it's cable sports network, that could change when the contract is up

Cheers

 

[MarkL]

Turner wants sports, just look at how well they did with March Madness. First time to see all the college basketball games instead of a selection of games only seen on CBS. NBA is TNT, MLB is TBS, so NHL is truTV (maybe). NBC and Versus still hold the advantage over truTV and ESPN.

NHL on TruTV would NEVER fly. NHL on TBS would fly (As long as it didn't conflict with MLB that is)

The only reason why TruTV was included in the March Madness deal was because it was temporary & served as a overflow outlet to TBS & TNT during their coverage. Though with CBS rebranding it's cable sports network, that could change when the contract is up

Cheers

March Madness was put on TruTV to raise the profile of the network... it worked and Turner probably thinks NHL might do that as well. TBS and TNT have too much valuable prime-time programming to show any hockey at night.

CBS Sports Network on cable isn't in enough homes right now to support March Madness games.

 

[JeeperOne]

Turner wants sports, just look at how well they did with March Madness. First time to see all the college basketball games instead of a selection of games only seen on CBS. NBA is TNT, MLB is TBS, so NHL is truTV (maybe). NBC and Versus still hold the advantage over truTV and ESPN.

NHL on TruTV would NEVER fly. NHL on TBS would fly (As long as it didn't conflict with MLB that is)

The only reason why TruTV was included in the March Madness deal was because it was temporary & served as a overflow outlet to TBS & TNT during their coverage. Though with CBS rebranding it's cable sports network, that could change when the contract is up

Cheers

March Madness was put on TruTV to raise the profile of the network... it worked and Turner probably thinks NHL might do that as well. TBS and TNT have too much valuable prime-time programming to show any hockey at night.

TNT has the NBA in prime time & it's been successful. There's no reason to think the NHL couldn't enjoy similar success on TBS.

CBS Sports Network on cable isn't in enough homes right now to support March Madness games.

Agreed but give it a year or so. The penetration level could change.

Cheers

 

[radiolives]

Turner wants sports, just look at how well they did with March Madness. First time to see all the college basketball games instead of a selection of games only seen on CBS. NBA is TNT, MLB is TBS, so NHL is truTV (maybe). NBC and Versus still hold the advantage over truTV and ESPN.

NHL on TruTV would NEVER fly. NHL on TBS would fly (As long as it didn't conflict with MLB that is)

The only reason why TruTV was included in the March Madness deal was because it was temporary & served as a overflow outlet to TBS & TNT during their coverage. Though with CBS rebranding it's cable sports network, that could change when the contract is up

Cheers

The new NCAA March Madness contract between CBS Sports and Turner Sports is a long deal. So I don't think that deal can be changed at all. I believe come next year the Final Four and Championship game goes back and forth each year from CBS one year then TBS then back to CBS... As for the CBS Sports Network it would be a great channel to have on regular cable instead of Versus in my opinion. CBS Sports needs to add more programing and give out a great product. They already do a great job with sports on CBS from NFL to PGA to NCAA Football and Basketball.

 

[MarkL]

Turner wants sports, just look at how well they did with March Madness. First time to see all the college basketball games instead of a selection of games only seen on CBS. NBA is TNT, MLB is TBS, so NHL is truTV (maybe). NBC and Versus still hold the advantage over truTV and ESPN.

NHL on TruTV would NEVER fly. NHL on TBS would fly (As long as it didn't conflict with MLB that is)

The only reason why TruTV was included in the March Madness deal was because it was temporary & served as a overflow outlet to TBS & TNT during their coverage. Though with CBS rebranding it's cable sports network, that could change when the contract is up

Cheers

March Madness was put on TruTV to raise the profile of the network... it worked and Turner probably thinks NHL might do that as well. TBS and TNT have too much valuable prime-time programming to show any hockey at night.

TNT has the NBA in prime time & it's been successful. There's no reason to think the NHL couldn't enjoy similar success on TBS.

CBS Sports Network on cable isn't in enough homes right now to support March Madness games.

Agreed but give it a year or so. The penetration level could change.

Cheers

Turner has moved way from regular season games in primetime. The guy in charge over there, Steve Koonin, is an entertainment guy. TBS/TNT used to have NBA three times a week. TBS hid their regular-season baseball package on Sunday afternoons where it wouldn't affect primetime.

I disagree with all of these moves, but I'm just saying that's the direction they're going in. No way they'd put non-playoff hockey in primetime on TBS. Just like there's no way they'd run regular season NCAA basketball.

 

[Nate Wesley]

NHL on TruTV would NEVER fly. NHL on TBS would fly (As long as it didn't conflict with MLB that is)

TNT, dramas and NBA basketball. TBS, comedies and MLB baseball. You don't see TruTV being able to mesh male-skewing reality shows and the NHL?

The only reason why TruTV was included in the March Madness deal was because it was temporary & served as a overflow outlet to TBS & TNT during their coverage. Though with CBS rebranding it's cable sports network, that could change when the contract is up

The 'First Four' in the NCAA's eyes is now officially the first round of the NCAA Men's Tournament, and all four of those games were on TruTV. And both nights, at least one of the games topped the ratings for previous 'opening round game' telecasts on ESPN.

TruTV's inclusion was more than incidental, Pat--they weren't there for overruns on TBS and TNT. They aired complete, previously scheduled games to air in the 2nd and 3rd rounds.
http://www.collegehoopsnet.com/2011-ncaa-tournament-cbs-tbs-tnt-trutv-schedule-169090

 

[ROBGv1]

Versus also has the U.F.C. and W.E.C..

 

[Robnoxious]

A deal has been inked.
The NHL will be with NBC/Universal for the next 10 years for $2B.

>VERSUS will be re-named within 90 days, according to Dick Ebersol.

>Every playoff game from the Conference Semi-finals on will be on NBC and VERSUS.

>Every playoff game period will be on either NBC, VERSUS or another NBC/Comcast channel, so every playoff game will air nationally.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=560238

 

[radiolives]

I don't think that is a surprise. Im not a big NHL fan but from the way NBC broadcasts the sport they do a great job. Where was ESPN in all this, as they were favored to maybe get the NHL rights back.

As for Versus I'd like to know what NBC plans to call the sports network.

 

[Robnoxious]

Where was ESPN in all this, as they were favored to maybe get the NHL rights back.

ESPN was in the mix barely. They were only willing to air one Game of the Week. ESPN's plate is pretty full with NBA, NFL, MLB and college sports so they offered very little concessions knowing full well NBC had final matching rights.

As much as people talk about ESPN's halcyon days with the NHL many forget that towards the end ESPN was burying hockey as much as they could for other marquee sports. The deal with NBC/Comcast is plum full of perks to get the NHL brand out to everyone. The only thing about this deal that saddens me is we will probably never hear Gary Thorne call a hockey game nationally ever again.

 

[Mediafrog+]

The NBC/Versus deal is far better for the NHL than what ESPN would have offered.

Much like evaluating girlfriends. Do you want a "10" who treats you like garbage, or a "7" who adores you?

 

[radiolives]

I don't understand why the NHL won't let two cable networks broadcast the NHL. Let ESPN have one night while Versus has two or three nights of hockey. This is done with other sports, TNT and ESPN have NBA cable rights but don't air games on the same nights. Also TBS and ESPN have cable MLB rights with also not broadcasting games on the same night or time.

Also when ESPN had the NHL rights they never had the NBA rights.

And to add about ESPN they talk a good lot about the NHL on SportsCenter, ESPN's main show.

 

[KTU_Fan]

And to add about ESPN they talk a good lot about the NHL on SportsCenter, ESPN's main show.

What show do you watch? You mean they talk alot of Sid and Ovie....

 

[Nate Wesley]

I don't understand why the NHL won't let two cable networks broadcast the NHL.

Per what I understand about this deal, there will be 'two' cable networks with NHL games or content...but they'll be co-owned by NBCUniversal.

 

[radiojomo]

>Every playoff game period will be on either NBC, VERSUS or another NBC/Comcast channel, so every playoff game will air nationally.

That's great news!
I tried to watch the Ducks playoff the other night on KDOC but DIRECTV doesn't carry KDOC in HD so I was stuck with the lackluster SD feed.