12-18-2006, 12:01 AM
indeed..and here's why i HATE the CBC and the Leafs...
Canada's team
by WILLIAM HOUSTON Sports Media Specialist
Globe & Mail
Dec. 15
The CBC's Hockey Night in Canada will carry Saturday's New York Rangers-Toronto Maple Leafs game in most English-language markets, but why?
Hockey Night certainly has better options: the Pittsburgh Penguins, with red-hot Sidney Crosby, are playing the Montreal Canadiens; and the Buffalo Sabres are in Ottawa against the Senators.
The Pens-Habs game will be seen in Quebec and Atlantic Canada, and Sabres-Sens will be limited to Ottawa, while Rangers-Leafs will get distribution in Ontario and regions West.
The Leafs won a game this week, but they're a weak team and their telecasts should no longer automatically qualify for national distribution.
Joel Darling, the executive producer of Hockey Night, says the Leafs take priority because they are the leading audience producer among the six Canadian NHL teams. He didn't rule out dropping the Leaf game in markets outside Ontario, if the Rangers build a large lead, and picking up the Montreal game.[/quote]
It's over 24 hours since last night's games...and I'm surprised at the lack of discussion on here.....firstly, I was almost speechless when I heard that Western canada was actually going to get to see the Habs-Pens game, I'm anxious to here if Joel Darling made/is going to make a statement regarding the decision. My guess/hope is someone pointed out that just because Ontario has 13 million people (or whatever the number is) that indeed the Leafs may produce the biggest overall market, but that doesn't mean they have a greater market share/fan base (or whatever you wan't to call it) in every province west of Ontario too.
I still contend that a Montreal-Boston game, or a Montreal-Ottawa game would get at least the same fan interest in western Canada as the usual, weekly Leaf broadcast...would it be too much too ask for 1 or 2 more Habs games on English out here this season???
And I must comment on the commentating, Don Wittman doesn't spring to mind as a great hockey play by play guy...but he's miles ahead of senile old Bob Cole...and Cassie Campbell in what, her 2nd game, isn't quite there yet, but she still has a lot more to offer than dopey Harry Neale and his "fifty seven footers".
Thirdly nice win by the Habs...too much power play time for both teams but as long as Koivu, Souray etc. continue to produce, I can't complain too much. And they did make Crosby look pretty average.
And lastly, the Laffs score 9 goals?!? See what good can happen with a change in broadcasts...:-)
J
Canada's team
by WILLIAM HOUSTON Sports Media Specialist
Globe & Mail
Dec. 15
The CBC's Hockey Night in Canada will carry Saturday's New York Rangers-Toronto Maple Leafs game in most English-language markets, but why?
Hockey Night certainly has better options: the Pittsburgh Penguins, with red-hot Sidney Crosby, are playing the Montreal Canadiens; and the Buffalo Sabres are in Ottawa against the Senators.
The Pens-Habs game will be seen in Quebec and Atlantic Canada, and Sabres-Sens will be limited to Ottawa, while Rangers-Leafs will get distribution in Ontario and regions West.
The Leafs won a game this week, but they're a weak team and their telecasts should no longer automatically qualify for national distribution.
Joel Darling, the executive producer of Hockey Night, says the Leafs take priority because they are the leading audience producer among the six Canadian NHL teams. He didn't rule out dropping the Leaf game in markets outside Ontario, if the Rangers build a large lead, and picking up the Montreal game.[/quote]
It's over 24 hours since last night's games...and I'm surprised at the lack of discussion on here.....firstly, I was almost speechless when I heard that Western canada was actually going to get to see the Habs-Pens game, I'm anxious to here if Joel Darling made/is going to make a statement regarding the decision. My guess/hope is someone pointed out that just because Ontario has 13 million people (or whatever the number is) that indeed the Leafs may produce the biggest overall market, but that doesn't mean they have a greater market share/fan base (or whatever you wan't to call it) in every province west of Ontario too.
I still contend that a Montreal-Boston game, or a Montreal-Ottawa game would get at least the same fan interest in western Canada as the usual, weekly Leaf broadcast...would it be too much too ask for 1 or 2 more Habs games on English out here this season???
And I must comment on the commentating, Don Wittman doesn't spring to mind as a great hockey play by play guy...but he's miles ahead of senile old Bob Cole...and Cassie Campbell in what, her 2nd game, isn't quite there yet, but she still has a lot more to offer than dopey Harry Neale and his "fifty seven footers".
Thirdly nice win by the Habs...too much power play time for both teams but as long as Koivu, Souray etc. continue to produce, I can't complain too much. And they did make Crosby look pretty average.
And lastly, the Laffs score 9 goals?!? See what good can happen with a change in broadcasts...:-)
J