Suggestion: NHL on NBC

[John Corn]

After reading recently that ABC is putting more interest into their NBA coverage more than their coverage of the NHL, I suggest NBC should go for covering NHL games. NBC could use one of the four major teams sports as its anchor sport, and besides, it seemed when the Olympic hockey games were being broadcasted; Gary Thorne, Bill Clement and John Davidson felt right at home.

[bills976]

I've never cared for NBC's coverage... I actually like CBS' NFL and NCAA productions, though. I just can't get the word XFL out of my mind..... ;)

[Rusty]

After reading recently that ABC is putting more interest into their NBA coverage more than their coverage of the NHL, I suggest NBC should go for covering NHL games. NBC could use one of the four major teams sports as its anchor sport, and besides, it seemed when the Olympic hockey games were being broadcasted; Gary Thorne, Bill Clement and John Davidson felt right at home.

The problem is that every major network has tried televising the NHL and the ratings have been horrible. CBS was the first to try, back in the 1960's. Then NBC tried, and failed to get enough US fans interested. Their ratings were as bad as those of CBS (although we did have the infamous "Peter Puck" cartoon character trying to explain the various rules to us).

And, who can ever forget Fox coverage, featuring the glowing puck. They also learned an expensive lesson when their ratings went right down the porcelain parkway.

The NHL has expanded at an even greater rate than other sports leagues. the talent is pitifully diluted. Add that to the fact that the game televises badly because the flight of the puck is extremely hard to follow and you have a surefire ratings and money loser if you try to televise NHL Hockey.

[Dgenx321]

Once the new CBA kicks in after the coming strike hockey should be back to old form.

If they can place a 40 million dollar cap on every team things should look alot better. Now all they need to do is put a good commish at the head of the league.