[The Pack Knight]

Evidently, the explanation is that the Winter Olympics are one of three sporting events, along with the Summer Olympics and the Kentucky Derby, that draws more female than male viewers, and this was just a move to appeal to the female demographic.

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.

[octex]

I haven’t seen an NHL game on NBC in years. Probably 95% of the Dallas Stars’ games are on FSN (Fox Sports Network) and the rest are on Versus or a local channel in the DFW area.

That being said, it was CNBC that showed the Canada vs. Slovakia women’s hockey game Saturday night.

Guess NBC is trying like hell to get some TV watchers to tune in to MSNBC, since it is going down the tube.

[TruJess]

I’d rather watch the men’s freestyle and giant slalom but I can understand why hockey players/fans are angry.

[NTHockey]

This is all a plot to increse MessNBC’s ratings and KO can boast about beating Fox.

[sergeantdave]

“and this was just a move to appeal to the female demographic.”

Exactly.

The bulk of NBC viewers are airhead, drooling liberal females. They’ll probably spot their next presidential candidate dancing on the ice and NBC will run with it.

[MikefromOhio]

Instead, the Peacock will bring fans an exhilarating night of ice dancing, women's speedskating, men's freestyle skiing and men's giant slalom – rather than what amounts to an NHL all-star game on an international stage.
Mbr< The Giant Slalom, the Freestyle and the speed-skating I can see, but no one watches "ice dancing". Figure Skating they watch, especially the artsy-fartsy types that NBC is going for.

They really pushed the Ice dancing segments at Torino and it failed miserably.

[Charles H. (The_r0nin)]

Crap!!!! Not only is that a stupid move, but also I have my own (beer league) hockey game that night! I’m not sure if my bedroom TV (hooked up to my DVDRW) even gets MSLSD, so I might not even be able to tape it. What a lousy decision...

[shove_it]

Here's a good reason to watch ice dancing ...

[texmexis best]

It is no longer amateurs. Pros and it is simply boring.

The proliferation of the pros in Olympic sports will eventually kill the games off.