IlliniKrush

QUOTE (StrangeSox @ Jun 10, 2013 -> 04:29 PM) Would the NFL be the dominant force it is if 90+% of its games weren't on network television, with every local game being available OTA? People like football more than hockey, obviously. Gambling & fantasy football is a HUGE reason why. And it's a 16 day-a-year hobby. 48 hours. It's much easier for people to be a football fan than it is NHL/NBA, or 162 games for baseball. You also can't broadcast every NHL game on a network television channel because it's more than essentially one day a week for 17 weeks. BTW, I'm curious, do people go crazy when NFL games on NFL Network?

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Jun 10, 2013 -> 04:24 PM) The problem is there are plenty of people who can't afford or won't purchase an upgraded channel package just to get hockey games. Yes, diehard fans will but not us. It comes on packages with a lot of other sports channels. Please tell me where all the games, all season, should be broadcasted? And what options the NHL turned down instead?

QUOTE (Jake @ Jun 10, 2013 -> 04:19 PM) Probably not, it is more likely since they already alienated those people by making a huge portion of the other playoff games unwatchable for the same reasons. I think getting games on ESPN would be huge, as then ESPN would be forced to push the hell out of it and make people (maybe, you know, kids that don't have solidified sporting preferences) begin to care more about it. If NBCSN can get viewers from fans of all sports, that can help as well...even though I don't get real energized to watch the cycling and racing BS they're pushing. 1) How are games "unwatchable?" That's ridiculous. EVERY playoff game has been on TV somewhere. 2) We've discussed ESPN. They had (and possibly still have) no interest in the NHL for years. If the worst thing that happens is the NHL isn't on ESPN, I'm fine with that. ESPN, outside a few shows, has gone down the s***ter and it would never, ever be above the NBA, NFL Live, etc.

QUOTE (Jake @ Jun 10, 2013 -> 04:09 PM) FWIW, I consider myself a pretty big fan of hockey (I was a ST holder for the B-N independent team) and a big fan of the Blackhawks (I know what "Dollar Bill" means and watched [away] games on TV since I was a little boy, etc.) and still have been irritated that they put these games on NBCSN. I am also happy for my dissatisfaction about this to result in the NBCSN being more affordable, more widely distributed, etc. If it turns into a hockey channel, I'm perfectly okay with that so long as it is easier to get. For now, I'm pissed that I get stuck with the fuzzy, SD version of games 2 and 3 despite unloading ungodly amounts of money for my cable package and having bought NHL's streaming services for the regular season when I'm away from home. I might have to HDMI my laptop into the TV and stream it in HD, but that's a whole lot of bulls*** to see something that I sincerely believe should be a big deal for everybody. I like how big hockey is to some Chicagoans, but I think the sport could get huge -- but for most folks it's something that has been taking up space on Sportscenter yet never appears on the TV channels they normally watch. I'm sure NBCSN will become more affordable and more available, very quickly. I mean it's basically still the same channel that was OLN, then Versus...and back then I believe it was really slim as far as availability. It's basically already a hockey channel - they really get #1 billing and do great work there, as Steve mentioned. It's the whole ESPN argument again - NHL had to figure out a way to start somewhere after the lockout and ESPN went with other sports. Would I rather have every game on NBC? Sure. I just don't think it's THAT big of a deal that 2 games are on a cable channel that is relatively pretty damn available and has been broadcasting games all year and for 3 rounds of the playoffs (2 of them exclusively).

QUOTE (StrangeSox @ Jun 10, 2013 -> 04:05 PM) I haven't claimed to be anything other than a casual fan. Whether that makes me a "real" or "fake" fan, I don't care. They're not going to build my interest further if I can't watch them, though. These arguments sound like stuff from the old bill wirtz era. Damn, NHL just lost tons of future die-hard fans because they put TWO games on a channel that is IMPOSSIBLE to find and NO ONE has when those people wanted to watch their first games of the year.

QUOTE (StrangeSox @ Jun 10, 2013 -> 03:54 PM) It's not that big of a deal. It sucks and is inconvenient and hockey is the only major sport that doesn't put their championship on broadcast television. I just found some of the comments in this thread about people not being REAL fans if they don't have cable package XYZ funny. If you don't have a cable package whatsoever (most sports games are on there), and are relying on every championship game being on network TV so you can watch them and they'll be the only games you watch all year, then no, you aren't exactly a real hockey fan. I don't suddenly consider myself an NBA fan because I tuned into a few minutes of Heat/Spurs the other night, or some of the Bulls games earlier.

QUOTE (Rowand44 @ Jun 10, 2013 -> 03:20 PM) We can get a suite for game 1 for 45 g's, who's in? Does it come with hot dogs etc? Because that could make it a much better deal. Also, can we get like 5,000 people in there?

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Jun 10, 2013 -> 03:51 PM) In the long run though, more exposure is a good thing for hockey. With what could be a thrilling championship series, the NHL would be better off if every game was on NBC and they didn't have to succumb to NBC's contract terms, and that sucks IMO. The game seems to be thriving, time to show it off not hide it. If the whole series was on there, I'd agree. But, I get why they are doing this, what deal they have here, and that this has been the precedent for years. I think the assumed effect of 2 games on NBCSN is greatly exaggerated. People will watch these games if they want to find them. The ratings will still be through the roof, not absolutely plummet in 2 and 3. It's still hilarious that NOW this is an issue for some people. The past 2 rounds, outside a few games, have been NBCSN. It goes back to my last post, where it's for the sake of tuning into the championship series, that makes it an issue for those types of people.

QUOTE (Jake @ Jun 10, 2013 -> 03:35 PM) The facts of the matter are the NHL doesn't make TV deals for hardcore fans. They need to grow their brand and expand the individual fanbases of certain clubs as well as make more Americans like hockey. Putting the SCF on a channel that a huge portion of the TV-watching cannot get or in many cases does not even know exists just smacks of irrelevance. If hockey wants to be a niche-y sport that does not have widespread viewership (like tennis, which has lots of fans but nothing when compared to NFL/MLB/NBA), they will have to cut some teams. Hockey at its best should be something that every sports fan cares about and right now that just isn't the case. Don't be a snob and just dismiss the people that can't or won't inconvenience/extend themselves for hockey right now. The sport we like suffers. I can't prop up the NHL just by buying sweaters, NHL Gamecenter, etc. They actually need new/reinvigorated fans. Sticking two of the biggest 4-7 games of the season on NBCSN is the worst way to do that. The NHL has to make the best deal available to them at the time. I believe they got like 2 billion over 10 years for this. In the long-run, developing NBCSN is the best way to grow the game. You have a channel that puts hockey #1. Without a cable deal, you'd have one game a week somewhere. That won't accomplish much. People who watch only the championship series/game of a sport don't really help grow the sport. For a lot of them, it's something they do all the time, year after year, and it doesn't change. Let's not make this out to be something it's not. The NHL lives off the die-hard fans, the ones buying tickets, watching games, buying merchandise. People who are b****ing about 2 games on a cable channel aren't exactly going to turn into die-hard fans. They can still watch up to 5 of the other games this series, and multiple games throughout the playoffs on the weekend. I'm just so sick of hearing this stupid line year after year. OMG every game isn't on ESPN or ABC or NBC or some s***. Deal with it. It's the 21st century, channels besides ABC, NBC, and Fox exist. The NHL's goal every year isn't to bendd over backwards just to please Johnny No Hockey to get him to come watch a few games in the SCF. And if Johnny No Hockey is concerned with watching more games, he'll now realize he needs to grab NBCSN. Hockey's doing perfectly fine. Look at the ratings, look at the attendance. If some people find it too difficult to watch NBCSN, that's fine. If they were that concerned with watching it, they'd figure out a way. It's really just America these days. Everything has to be as easy as possible for people or they don't want to bother. It also has to be free. I challenge your take on "the sport we love suffers." No, the deal's the same, the games are still on always will be. Missing out on a few people that just want to b**** about NBCSN isn't going to change the way I'm able to consume hockey. As far as I'm concerned, hockey is a niche sport, always will be. When a team in a particular city is great, it'll be a lot bigger at the time.

QUOTE (StrangeSox @ Jun 10, 2013 -> 03:23 PM) exactly. if you don't want to have a $100+/month cable bill, you must be a Friends-watching moron. I really wish non-hockey people would stay out of the thread. SCF brings out everybody. You already said you don't really have a good reason to b**** about it. You could go to a friend's house, go to a bar, there are other ways to be able to watch the game if it's THAT much of a concern to you.

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Jun 10, 2013 -> 03:14 PM) Yet there aren't any NBA Finals games on TNT or ESPN. They are all on ABC, what a concept! I'd pay for HawkVision if I had to to watch the Stanley Cup Finals, but yet I still think it's very dumb that the games are on different channels, including a less popular cable channel. Well we've already covered the reasons why they are there. It's not like they ARE on Hawkvision, making people pay each game. My solution - this isn't directed towards you because like you said, you'd watch regardless - if you don't want to watch, or if it's too difficult for you to find NBCSN, don't watch.

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Jun 10, 2013 -> 02:18 PM) Well, this is a ploy by NBC to get more people demanding their rather excellent NBC Sports Network. Seriously, the channel rocks. Their studio sports programming and "the Lites" are simply superb. It's smart for them, and the NHL is lucky to be in their corner and treated so well. The broadcast is just top notch. I don't care of someone with little interest in Game 2 can't flip to it in between watching reruns of Friends. Exactly. I wish they'd play the games in my backyard, because that'd be convenient, but alas I will figure out a way to watch NBC and/or NBCSN. It's not hard.

QUOTE (StrangeSox @ Jun 10, 2013 -> 01:49 PM) I don't care why the TV deal is good if I can't watch it without paying Comcast or DirecTV a bunch of money, and I know I can always find a way to (illegally) stream it. But you know what was nice? Being able to watch the game on Saturday OTA in crystal-clear HD by just turning on my TV, not messing around with low-quality internet streams and hooking my laptop up. You may not care, but the NHL has to care. To ignore that is silly.

QUOTE (StrangeSox @ Jun 10, 2013 -> 01:26 PM) I'm going to get annoyed and not consume the product. I don't think NBCSN is OTA. If you want to watch hockey, you will figure it out. It's the old joke people use to knock hockey every year, OMG I can't find the games, etc. Except it's not like it was when it was OLN (still didn't have much of a choice there, either). Almost use it as an excuse to not watch it. Here's an article with a couple good points about why this TV deal is pretty good: http://bluejacketsxtra.dispatch.com/conten...-be-winner.html

QUOTE (SleepyWhiteSox @ Jun 10, 2013 -> 12:07 PM) yea only real fans allowed!!!!!11 YEAH MAN TOTALLY QUOTE (StrangeSox @ Jun 10, 2013 -> 12:08 PM) youre not a reel fan unless u give comcast $100+ a month1! Hey get your rabbit ears out. If you don't watch hockey all year, are you really going to get pissed off when 2 games of the SCF are on NBC Sports Network? The whole playoffs has been on there, as have games all year. QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Jun 10, 2013 -> 12:53 PM) Well I'm one of those people. And while I don't watch hockey and regularly make fun of it, I do enjoy the playoffs and it irritated me when I wanted to watch one of the Hawks/Wings games I couldn't. Also, if the sport is going to get top players and succeed, you need to get the major markets. NBC Sports network usually comes on the tier with every other sports channel, those who get MLB network, NHL network, NBA, NFL network, etc. Do you even have comcast sportsnet or BTN if you don't have NBC sports network? I hate Bettman as much as the next guy, but the one thing I can't get on is the TV deal. The past 2 years EVERY playoff game has been on TV, which is great. You also are slowly but surely making NBCSN a big-time channel. Plus, an agreement like this has been in place for basically every SCF as far back as I can remember. Major markets? The ratings in Chicago are through the roof. Obviously people have found a way to watch the games. ESPN didn't want hockey years ago, still don't. You can't put something on ESPN if they don't want it and won't pay for it.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Jun 10, 2013 -> 11:06 AM) Some people don't get that channel. Pretty sorry for the sport that you can't have your major championship on a channel that is widely available on standard cable packages (e.g., on tiers with ESPN). Gary Bettman is clueless though. Those "some people" probably aren't big sports fans to begin with, haven't watched any of the playoffs, and won't care if they don't see it. It's a lot of b****ing and moaning for nothing.

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Jun 10, 2013 -> 10:32 AM) The stupid lockout threw everything off. The Finals against Philly started Memorial Day weekend. It did, but you knew that ahead of time.

Why you don't voluntarily schedule anything in advance for the last two weeks of June.

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Jun 9, 2013 -> 08:07 PM) That's what it seems like. I just wonder how he seemed to do such a good job for the first 5 months last year? Beginners luck? Or was it just the fact that Ozzie wasn't around anymore? Probably both, and players producing as well. Well that and you can't make as many mistakes with 25 guys as you can with 40, as we saw. Hell, down the road he could turn into a great manager, who knows. But if he doesn't want to be doing this, it's irrelevant.

Hawks in SCF > any Sox game in 2013. There's also not many reasons to buy Sox tickets ahead of time for any game you're planning to catch.

If you're near the Willis Tower and the game is your next stop, you can hop on the Red Line at Jackson (someone correct me if the construction has affected that stop). ************ To get back to Ogilvie after the game, this a pretty easy way, will take about a half hour from the time you leave the park: Walk east 2 blocks to the Green Line at 35th and State. Take the Green Line (toward Harlem/Lake - you're heading North, everyone will be getting on this train) and get off at Clinton. Walk 2 blocks south on Clinton, go east (left) on Washington and the main entrance is a half a block up on Washington.

It's beyond obvious he doesn't really want to be a manager, and was just doing KW a favor by taking the job.

QUOTE (Brian @ Jun 9, 2013 -> 11:00 AM) True, but it's still the best way to get exposure for now. It's not like NBCSN is ESPN or TNT, yet. It's a pretty major channel by now, if someone's at all into hockey. Plus, this is one way to help it get more credibility. TNT isn't exactly thought of as a sports channel first. They've been doing this for years, whatever cable channel carried the regular season and playoffs usually gets 2 games at some point in the SCF. Happened when it was versus, used to happen with ESPN/ABC agreement, etc. If people want to watch the games, they'll find it, even if it's on MTV54. The ratings will be good enough that I don't care if some backwoods family in Alabama doesn't tune into game 2 because they don't have the channel.

QUOTE (Brian @ Jun 9, 2013 -> 08:50 AM) STUPID! OMG I CAN'T FIND THE CHANNEL WITH MY RABBIT EARS

That was beyond epic to be at. Holy f***. KANERRRRRRRRR