4 replies to this topic

[Petoria]

I was just watching Around the Horn, and the topic came up about the NBC hockey schedule. Apparently, the Phoenix Coyotes arent in any one of the 18 games that NBC is going to show.Michael Holley's point was that the Phoenix Coyotes arent any good, and that fans dont care who is behind the bench. I had a problem with this for two reasons: 1. The Phoenix Coyotes are going to be awesome this year 2. Even casual fans know who Wayne Gretzky is, and will be more likely to watch.Another attempt of television networks sabotaging the NHL?

[WestcoastCanuck]

Petoria said:

1. The Phoenix Coyotes are going to be awesome this year 2. Even casual fans know who Wayne Gretzky is, and will be more likely to watch.

1.) I disagree, but I think I am in the minority. I think they just miss or just make the playoffs.2.)I agree.

[aadams_22]

Petoria said:

Another attempt of television networks sabotaging the NHL?

You got that right. All these news people wonder why people don't like hockey as much as other sports. They never realize that whenever they mention the lack of popularity of hockey, even in passing, they are perpetuating the entire thing. You can't expect for the sport to gain popularity when all the general public hears is how unpopular the sport is. It hasn't swayed me, but I am one of the few hockey fans where I live.Like yesterday when I was listening to Colin Cowherd (he's on before Dan Patrick) on ESPN Radio. One of his callers mentioned hockey for whatever reason and Cowherd's response was that I am not going to risk taking a 80% hit in ratings by talking about hockey. He's perpetuating it and he doesn't even realize it.

[Petoria]

aadams_22 said:

Petoria said:

Another attempt of television networks sabotaging the NHL?

You got that right. All these news people wonder why people don't like hockey as much as other sports. They never realize that whenever they mention the lack of popularity of hockey, even in passing, they are perpetuating the entire thing. You can't expect for the sport to gain popularity when all the general public hears is how unpopular the sport is. It hasn't swayed me, but I am one of the few hockey fans where I live.Like yesterday when I was listening to Colin Cowherd (he's on before Dan Patrick) on ESPN Radio. One of his callers mentioned hockey for whatever reason and Cowherd's response was that I am not going to risk taking a 80% hit in ratings by talking about hockey. He's perpetuating it and he doesn't even realize it.

It's a Catch-22, they won't talk about hockey because it isn't popular, and it isn't popular because nobody talks about it.

[UglyJimStudly]

Petoria said:

Michael Holley's point was that the Phoenix Coyotes arent any good, and that fans dont care who is behind the bench. I had a problem with this for two reasons: 1. The Phoenix Coyotes are going to be awesome this year 2. Even casual fans know who Wayne Gretzky is, and will be more likely to watch.Another attempt of television networks sabotaging the NHL?

Your number 1 is probably wrong. Number 2 is valid, but for the TV coverage to be a success they're going to have to attract an awful lot of viewers who aren't even remotely close to being casual fans at this time. I haven't looked at the schedule, but if it isn't biased heavily towards the big TV markets I'd be much more likely to buy a "sabotage" theory. By far and away the most important tool in drawing a new audience to a sport is having a local team to cheer for, after all.