[Oilfan]

Just a thought that perhaps, we should start a new thread for DTV - NHL CI thoughts, issues, dreams for the 2008-09 season rather than continue the marathon thread which has a lot of good information. It is found here - http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=106788 . Satracer has a great post (#1) which serves as a good FAQ.
I have no problem if people ignore this thread and prefer to continue the other thread.

Here are links/info regarding NHL National TV for the 2008-09 season:

NHL Official press release National TV 2008-09 - http://www.nhl.com/nhl/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=379694 . Schedules for VERSUS, NBC, CBC, and TSN are found here.

NHL Schedule Official schedule with national and regional coverage listed - http://www.nhl.com/nhl/app?service=page&page=SubseasonSchedule

VERSUS - All games in HD. Games on Mondays and Tuesday. These games are not available in NHL CI or on your regional sports channel. http://www.versus.com/nw/article/view/1367/?tf=NHL_Schedule_ArticleWrapper.tpl

NBC - All games in HD. Winter Classic on January 1. Flex games later on in the season. Games on Sundays. These games are not available in NHL CI or on your regional sports channel.

NHL NETWORK USA - will carry 75 regular season games, most of which will be in HD. As well, many preseason games will air both live and tape delayed. Games on NHLNETWORK USA will not appear in NHL CI. Blackouts applied to home and away markets. (IE, Phoenix at Detroit. Viewers in Phoenix and Detroit would have to watch on their regional channel) Schedule has not been released yet. Wednesdays and Fridays seemed like common nights for games on NHL NETWORK USA. Last year, I believe the schedule was released a month at a time. NHL On-The-Fly: Final Edition (nightly highlight package) returns again this year. http://www.nhlnetwork.com

HDNET - Last year, HDNET carried games virtually every Thursday and Saturday. All games were obviously in HD. Blackouts applied to home and away markets (IE, Phoenix at Detroit. Viewers in Phoenix and Detroit would have to watch on their regional channel). Schedule (or confirmation that NHL is airing on HDNET this year) has not been released yet. Typically, schedule was released 2 months at a time. www.hd.net

DIRECTV LINKS - http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/global/contentPageNR.jsp?assetId=1100047 FAQ and CI schedule found here. **Last year's schedule currently up **

This thread is not intended for my team beat your team posts.

 

[n3ntj]

If only we could get HD Canadian feeds (TSN, CBC, Rogers, etc.) as part of NHL CI.

 

[cforrest]

You should with Rogers, since the HD feed is available with MLBEI package!

 

[mgoblue99]

Any word on Hockey Night in Canada in HD?

 

[wilbur_the_goose]

I'm just bummed because HNIC lost its theme song - apparently to CTV.

 

[TANK]

Some Hockey Night in Canada CBC changes -

By WILLIAM HOUSTON

One week after Mike Milbury signed on with Hockey Night in Canada, former NHL coach Marc Crawford was announced yesterday as a game analyst for the show.

Another change at Hockey Night will have the Western play-by-play team of Jim Hughson and Craig Simpson working, for the most part, in the East on Saturdays to call the first game of the doubleheader

That telecast, however, will not always involve the Toronto Maple Leafs, as it has in the past. If the Leafs struggle through a losing season, which is expected, the CBC's distribution of their games could be limited to Ontario.

Hughson and Simpson would call a national game involving the Ottawa Senators or Montreal Canadiens. Cole and Millen would announce the Leafs' telecast in Ontario.

http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080731.wspttruth31/GSStory/GlobeSportsHockey/home

 

[Aric]

More HD! CBC HD and TSN HD would be awesome!

I'd also like to see pre and post game coverage from the RSNs included for free. I remember someone asked Bettman about this on NHL live or perhaps his radio show and he said it was being talked about. Haven't heard anything since.

 

[n3ntj]

I'm just bummed because HNIC lost its theme song - apparently to CTV.

What is the source of this info?

 

[loveshockey]

What is the source of this info?

been living under a rock?

 

[TANK]

Here is one of the NBC games -

The Penguins' game against the New York Rangers Jan. 18 at Mellon Arena will be televised nationally by NBC. The puck will drop at 12:30 p.m.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08228/904493-61.stm

 

[dhkinil]

More HD! CBC HD and TSN HD would be awesome!

I'd also like to see pre and post game coverage from the RSNs included for free. I remember someone asked Bettman about this on NHL live or perhaps his radio show and he said it was being talked about. Haven't heard anything since.

I see no reason why we can't get the pre and post games shows. I am sure there would be some lost revenue to D* and I assume E* because people might not get sportspak, but I assume if you get sports pak it is either to see lots of college sports that you might not otherwise see or you really want the broad sports coverage from somewhere you used to live. I always see the pregame and post game shows as part of the total viewing experience of some games. Also, if they had them it might result in games not being cutoff in a shootout just as the last skater is coming in!!!

 

[bosco10021]

What is the source of this info?

Negotiations to keep the Hockey Night in Canada theme song have collapsed, meaning the CBC program is now in search of another anthem.

Copyright Music & Visuals, the Toronto agency representing the song's composer, Dolores Claman, said on Friday that the deal had fallen through.

That news came as a surprise to the CBC, said Scott Moore, executive director of CBC Sports.

"We're disappointed, as many Canadians are," Moore said, adding he found out about the deal falling through from CBC News.

"We have no real idea why the deal fell apart," he said. "We're not sure why because the other side hasn't communicated with us.

"You have to ask the other side what happened."

Copyright Music & Visuals said it had offered the public broadcaster a chance to renew its licence to use Claman's song - a staple on HNIC since 1968 - on terms that were "virtually identical to those that have existed for the past decade."

Previously, the CBC paid about $500 for each game broadcast by Hockey Night in Canada, the agency said.

After the first two years of a new agreement, the rates would rise about 15 per cent, an increase Copyright Music & Visuals president John Ciccone called an industry standard.

Moore would not say what the price was, nor would he comment on what the agency claimed it to be.

"We offered to continue paying the richest licence fee in Canadian television, which was the price they asked for," said Moore. "We also offered to buy it outright for a high six-figure sum."

A call made to Ciccone by CBCSports.ca was not returned Friday.

Claman, who has written about 2,000 jingles over her career, is also credited with the Ontario theme A Place to Stand, which she co-wrote with her husband, Richard Morris, in 1967.

Contest for new theme in works
Moore said Friday the two sides had agreed upon a price, but added an "unfortunate set of circumstances," including an outstanding lawsuit, hovered over negotiations.

A lawsuit filed against the CBC in late 2004 by the composer alleges that the broadcaster was overusing the Hockey Night in Canada theme and has not been settled. Copyright Music & Visuals said the litigation hasn't interfered with the CBC's use of music, nor was settlement of the suit a condition for the proposed new licensing agreement.

"We really can't do business with a lawsuit hanging over our heads," Moore said. "We feel that we've done everything we possibly can."

CBC Sports will now move on and launch a new national contest in conjunction with Nettwerk Music Group to find a new theme song, he said. Canadians will be invited to write and record an original song for Hockey Night in Canada, with fans and a jury of experts choosing the best new composition.

The winner will receive $100,000 and proceeds from any royalties will go to minor hockey across the country. More details on the contest will be revealed in the next week.

"We expect a lot of terrific music, and we expect that the new theme for Hockey Night in Canada will be as iconic as the last two themes have been," Moore said.

Earlier on Friday, Liberal heritage critic Denis Coderre told reporters in Ottawa that Conservative Heritage Minister Josée Verner must defend one of Canada's most famous musical traditions and do everything possible to ensure the CBC continues to broadcast the theme.

"The Hockey Night in Canada theme is a part of Canada's culture that goes beyond sport," Coderre said. "If the minister wants to show that she cares about Canadian heritage, this is her chance."

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/story/2008/06/06/coderre-verner-themesong.html

about CTV getting rights to song : http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080609.whockeysong0609/BNStory/National/home

 

[lokar]

If only we could get HD Canadian feeds (TSN, CBC, Rogers, etc.) as part of NHL CI.

I think this is the last issue left to complain about with the Center Ice package with all the good steps they have taken in the last year. Barring any Saturday night CBC or region coding mistakes by DirecTV that is (which I really wish would be barred). If Satracer is reading this, please tell the master control people to just turn on CBC and leave it on all night and on the same channel! There were so many problems with CBC Saturday night it was ridiculous, especially considering all they had to was turn on CBC at 4:30 (Mtn. time) and turn it off around 11:30.

 

[TANK]

Canucks get 25 national tv games

http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/sports/story.html?id=c5184c0e-9203-4290-9ba6-d05de63ba8ac

Flames score 23 national broadcasts

http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/sports/story.html?id=6af8b479-4a8d-4ea8-a01b-cc302e1dfefc

 

[cmasia]

It's staggering to me Versus still has an exclusive window, identical to FOX's MLB Saturday window.

http://www.versus.com/nw/article/view/1367/?tf=NHL_Schedule_ArticleWrapper.tpl

Granted, the NHL does its best to schedule as few competing games as possible on Mondays.
But this year, according to VS's website, they are claiming Tuesday exclusivity until December. And there are a lot of games CI will not be able show on those Tuesdays.

http://www.nhl.com/nhl/app?month=OCT&page=Schedule&service=page

The NHL should be thrilled anyone - anyone - wants to spend $160 for an out of market package.

 

[scottjf8]

Go Wings!!!!!!!!

 

[Oilfan]

It's staggering to me Versus still has an exclusive window, identical to FOX's MLB Saturday window.

http://www.versus.com/nw/article/view/1367/?tf=NHL_Schedule_ArticleWrapper.tpl

Granted, the NHL does its best to schedule as few competing games as possible on Mondays.
But this year, according to VS's website, they are claiming Tuesday exclusivity until December. And there are a lot of games CI will not be able show on those Tuesdays.

http://www.nhl.com/nhl/app?month=OCT&page=Schedule&service=page

The NHL should be thrilled anyone - anyone - wants to spend $160 for an out of market package.

Man, good point. I really don't understand that scheduling. NHL did a good job of keeping things clear in the past generally speaking for VS exclusive. I think I remember CDN feeds (say Ottawa vs Toronto on TSN) showing up in NHL CI on DTV NHLCI last year during the VS window. But in theory, the games involving US teams during the VS window would not have anyone showing the games.

 

[full moon]

HD feeds from Canada are a must..

 

[Nightfall]

HD feeds from Canada are a must..

You have to wonder why Center Ice hasn't gotten them yet. I am hoping this is the year it happens.

 

[Oilfan]

HD feeds from Canada are a must..

I am thinking that perhaps we should be flooding NHL NETWORK to carry primarily TSN, SNET, and CBC SD/HD feeds of the 75 games that they televise. TSN has games in HD every Wednesday, a night where NHL Network last year generally always had games (and from time to time used TSN HD feed). That way if DTV can't/doesn't air any Canadian HD feeds, we should still get some games covered.

It might not hurt to pressure Directv's competition (Dishnet) to air TSN/CBC/SNET HD feeds as well, if they pick it up DTV might be more willing to follow. I think DIshnet airing dual feeds helped convince DTV that it was a good idea last year.

I am thrilled with the progress and effort Directv made last year, it really made me feel valued as a customer. NHLCI package on DTV improved more in one season than I ever could have imagined.

You have to wonder why Center Ice hasn't gotten them yet. I am hoping this is the year it happens.

I think DTV finds it hard to justify adding that bandwidth for a package with 150,000 subs. Maybe, just adding Canadian HD feeds of games where no American HD feed is available would be realistic. This would primarily be Canadian team against Canadian team games.