04/24/24
May 19, 2004
Step 1 - Get TV deal done. Step 2 - .....We're still working on that.
Sounds to me like NBC is just trying to protect themselves in the event of a strike/lock-out next season.
posted by Jugwine at 12:34 PM on May 19, 2004
That's likely as well. the deal would be put off a year and start the subsequent season, if there is a lock out. So, NBC is protecting themselves in case of a lock out, but the meat of the contract speaks to the dubious nature of the product/content.
posted by garfield at 12:38 PM on May 19, 2004
dubious nature of the product/content. ...to American TV audiences
posted by garfield at 12:46 PM on May 19, 2004
The South Park fans and Slashdotters among us would say... Step 1 - Get TV deal done Step 2 - ??? Step 3 - PROFIT!!!
posted by MeatSaber at 12:47 PM on May 19, 2004
but the meat of the contract speaks to the dubious nature of the product/content. Seems to me like NBC is in pretty weak position too, sports-wise. What've they got left? Arena Football? They're just as prone to show infomercials on weekends as they are any kind of sporting event. I wonder if their contract with the AFL (or whatever it's called) has similiar stipulations.
posted by Ufez Jones at 12:51 PM on May 19, 2004
You know, I had been wondering what they'd get to replace Friends.
posted by DrJohnEvans at 12:56 PM on May 19, 2004
It's the 'Super Fantastic Happy Happy Fun Friends Hockey Extravaganza!'
posted by garfield at 01:26 PM on May 19, 2004
ufez, that's a great point. I failed to consider the NHL having a leg up on anybody, or having such miserable company.
posted by garfield at 01:29 PM on May 19, 2004
What've they got left? Arena Football? Good point....NBC and Dick Ebersol decided 3-4 years ago that they were getting out of the horrendous rights deals that plague the TV networks. This is extremely ironic, since basically they break the bank to keep the Olympics at NBC.
posted by smithers at 02:25 PM on May 19, 2004
the NBC vs sports link was the first thing that came to mind. they don't have much. now they have only a little more than that. and blahrah. more afternoon playoff games.
posted by gspm at 03:09 PM on May 19, 2004
7 regular season games a year?! 10 (at most!) playoff games a year?! That's it?! Is it really something to crow about when you plan on broadcasting only 00.57% of the league's regular season games and only 15.87% of the playoff games (at best...it could be as low as 7.84% in the playoffs).
posted by grum@work at 03:22 PM on May 19, 2004
Wait, hockey has a regular season now? I keed, I keed
posted by Jugwine at 03:47 PM on May 19, 2004
Oh goodie, now we get 7 regular season games between Detroit and Colorado on NBC instead of ABC. Next year it's NHL Centre Ice for me.
posted by emoeby at 03:53 PM on May 19, 2004
Really this new contract with NBC isn't going to make any difference in how most people in the US watch the NHL. The same schedule and times etc. Unless NBC does a lot of advertising during it's primetime shows the numbers isn't going to get any better. Off Topic: In another thread people were talking about the Chillin' With Jarome t-shirts. If you follow this link you can scroll down and see one. Not exactly 'official' merchandise, but funny none the less.
posted by camcanuck at 04:00 PM on May 19, 2004
The AFL deal has been profitable for both NBC and the league for 2 years now. They are just applying the new model to the NHL, which, as has already been stated, is in a bad position.
posted by Tannerman at 05:39 PM on May 19, 2004
Alright. More Saturday afternoon playoff games! *eyeroll*
posted by mkn at 07:20 PM on May 19, 2004
Wasn't it NBC who broadcast the XFL? As big a bust as that was, at least they made the players interesting. That's more than you can say for ESPN. Maybe some profiles and ads for some of the more interesting characters in the league - as well as the superstars, of course - will pique America'a interest in the sport. Next year it's NHL Centre Ice for me. Damn straight. It's the only way to watch hockey if you can't be there.
posted by Samsonov14 at 12:41 AM on May 20, 2004
Under the deal with NBC, the league will not receive the kind of upfront fees that are common in most network television contracts. Instead, the NHL and NBC will share revenue, with the network covering its production and distribution costs. Interesting structure, which shows the horrendous bargaining position the league is in....but at least this is something positive.