Honestly, while I see the argument, it still doesn't make much sense to me. NBC is the only broadcast network that carries the NHL, and certainly spent a lot of money promoting the Winter Classic and will probably spend a lot more promoting the Stanley Cup finals. They certainly seem invested in generating interest in the NHL.
So now they have the opportunity to broadcast the biggest showcase of NHL talent this side of the All-Star Game, except this game actually matters and is one both the fans and the players actually care about. What better way to generate interest in NHL hockey than broadcasting it on prime time?
But, whatever. Far be it from me to suggest to NBC that it show a sport people actually care about.
It might also be that Hockey is a sport that most Americans just don’t care for.
Nancy Boy Channel
I have Ice skated since I was a small child.
I would much rather watch figure skating than hockey mtself, but really....this is the twenty first century. Put it on multiple chanels or online. There is no reason the consumer should have to choose.
The old media are dying for a reason.
It was clearly selection of one demographic over the other ... American women are likely more into “ice dancing” than American men are into non-NHL hockey.
SnakeDoc
They promote those NHL events because they carry it and that is about it. As far as investment in the NHL goes they pay zero in rights fees to the NHL. They have an ad revenue sharing scheme but how much ends up with the NHL who knows. The NHL is run by morons.
That is so gay.
Hockey doesn’t even pull a one rating on national TV most times. Why would the olympics be any different. Smart decision on NBC’s part.
Forget hockey. Tell me when Curling is on. I am serious. It’s relaxing to watch and it’s just darn fun.
That applies to all of primetime network TV, including advertising ( commercials where all men, especially husbands and fathers are buffoons.)
Oh, and check out the auto business, where a majority of cars are marketed to females.
Ping to airborne!
The Peacock network (that has Olby in Vancouver) is bumping USA v. Cananda on 2/21 to msnbc.
I am going to have to find msnbc on my cable...what a diss. Sid the Kid is the huge Canadian draw...and they bump his first big game after the Guins Sunday afternoon games prove to be ratings draws.
This female would like to see the hockey game.
Eww.. does that mean I’ll have to watch MSNBC?
Actually this is the first year that ice dancing will be exciting to watch. The USA has two teams that may medal. And, Meryl Davis and Charlie White are FANTASTIC!!!! They smoke up the ice.
Besides, with cable channels, it makes sense to cover an entire hockey game on a cable channel, and then cover multiple disciplines on the main channel. They can always break into their coverage if the hockey game gets really close at the end and simutaneously broadcast the ending.
I’ve been kind of shocked by how little of the Olympics overall they’re actually showing. I mean I know they’re projecting to lose money but will the really lose less by having huge gaps with no olympics being shown? Hard to sell ad time in an event you aren’t bothering to show.
Chicagoans should know better than most that once a deal is made with the inferior party, the superior party is free to do what they please.
So the NHL was convinced to postpone their season for the Olympics, and they expected what? That NBC/Obama would do right by them for their sacrifice?
-PJ
Ice dancing a sport? Chainsaw ice sculpture carving would be more of a sport. Use one of the NBC sub channels for the artsy stuff and let real sports be on the main channel. Or visa vera, I don’t care.
If they were promised by the network that ifthey shifted their schedule it would be aired in primtime I'll take their side. Oetherwise I won't.
Let's be honest here. Many players in their league were going to ditch to play in the Olympics so they had no choice but to change the schedule. The game is better suited for cable because it can be shown without interrution there. Perhaps NBC can throw in updates of the game but blocking off 3 hours wouldn't ork. Plus I like the other events better that they are carrying instead. Yes including ice dancing butI'm a woan and suppose I fit in that demographic behind the decision.
Give me Ice Dancing any day over Ice Hockey. Hockey fans have professional teams that are fun to watch. Ice Dancing fans really only have the olympics.
Oh, sure. Blame the chicks. It’s bush’s fault.
Comcast in my area doesn’t even carry MSNBC. Take that, Olberfool!