Today we take a step back from the Boston Bruins who are all probably still celebrating the trio of yesterdays birthdays all alone in their individual residences. Let’s see this one again from birthday boy, David Krejci.
Birthday Boy appreciation tweet. 🎉 #NHLBruins | DK46 pic.twitter.com/ad3TtmA1iu
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) April 28, 2021
Anyway, today let’s talk about the national broadcasting partners starting next season. In a model that seems similar to other big 3 sports leagues, national content will be distributed by a number of networks and streaming services. What is surprising is that none of them is NBC.
Earlier this year, NBC Universal announced that they will be shutting down it’s basic cable sports network, NBCSN, by year’s end. The plan was supposed to move the various sports programming like the NHL over to both the existing USA Network and its Peacock streaming services. This was before NBC bowed out of the bidding process on Monday. NBC was bidding for the “B” package which the NHL was hoping to get for at least $200 million per year. NBC bid just half of that before deciding to stop negotiating.
For the first time since 2004, ESPN will be broadcasting premium NHL content (the “A” package) including Stanley Cup Playoff rounds, NHL All-Star events while it’s parent company ABC will be the home for 4 Stanley Cup Finals. Additional games will be streamed on ESPN+ and Hulu, which is owned by parent company Disney. ESPN is reportedly paying $400 million per year for this. Somehow, there’s also talk of streaming on HBO Max.
The “B” package was reportedly being sought by CBS and Fox, however sources for both deny this. Turner Sports turned out to be the winner for the other 7 year deal, which includes 3 Stanley Cup Finals and the Winter Classic. While the NHL isn’t necessarily leaking financial details, CNBC reports that the Turner Media deal is worth $1 billion over the next 7 years, starting with $225 million next season.
Fans are excited that TBS/ TNT are in the NHL business since they are known for having fun pregame and postgame coverage with the NBA. It could be that former NBA players are just fun people but it could also be that they will seek out fun hockey people for the studio show. One hopes that they will.
One thing’s for sure, they really need to get better interns because one apparently used a picture of “Oilers Captain” for the TBS/TNT announcement and they failed hard.
TNT post game show mentioning the nhl tv rights deal and…. is that Andrew Ference? Absolutely insane guy to put in that graphic pic.twitter.com/yI1NNM0Nol
— big heatdaddy (@DanyAllstar15) April 28, 2021
I can’t wait to see andrew ference and the Oilers take on Aaron Ovechkin and the capitals on TNT next year
— big heatdaddy (@DanyAllstar15) April 28, 2021
As GH mentioned, TBS/TNT are known for the fun people/ former players that are involved in their broadcast….. I’m pretty sure Milbury and Roenick are still available!
Morning all. Between the NBA, wrestling, and now NHL, TNT/TBS seems to be building up a sports empire.
As much as I like TBS, I was enjoying Mike Tirico as an alternative to Doc or Jack.
I don’t even know who they would employ for a broadcast team over there.
I like Tirico, too!
Morning all,
There is a UK sports broadcaster that has a tie-in with ESPN. Unfortunately it’s one I don’t have a subscription for.
In my experience media companies’ graphics staff aren’t hired for their knowledge of the subject matter. Come to that neither are the journalists! I know nothing about soccer but I’ve muddled through here for 13 years …
I’ll bet you know a little something about it.
Or…. you are a really great writer and you don’t need anything as mundane as “knowledge of the game”…
Hahaha. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it!
Good Morning!!
Ya know, David Krejci is starting to look a lot like David Krejci. That’s awesome as how goes Krejci, so go the Bruins come playoff time. Great view of that goal, btw. You can see how Macavoy generates all that speed – a couple back crossovers and a super smooth stride as he transitions backward to forward. Then it’s go, go, go. Chuck is rapidly becoming a dominant player in this league. If the Bruins can get Brandon Carlo healthy, this team is downright scary.
Jo feels pretty good (sore arm) and is going to work. Let her throw the jabs around there, eh?
The blossoming of Charlie McAvoy is the most underreported Bruins story of the season. He is quietly such a huge part of their success. As much as Marchand, Bergeron or goaltending.
Good for Jo on getting her second shot. I’m happy for her that she isn’t seeing the unpleasant side effects that are common.
I haven’t had any side effects to speak of (which I wouldn’t expect after just the first jab), plus I can now use Cortana with my mind. It’s good that Bill Gates implanted everyone with tracking chips via the vaccine. Cortana, look up “what is obedience”.
How far are you in this process? Have you gotten one yet?
Sadly, i have not had the opportunity. It should happen soon as the shots are more readily available
Yeah, appointments are booked up quick not that it’s open to everyone. I don’t get my second shot till Memorial Day.
When dat?
Did you have to book both at the same time? I couldn’t book mine because they couldn’t offer me a date for the second shot.
No jokes about struggling to get a second date, please …
In MA, they book your second appointment either immediately when you book your first appointment (if you book through your pharmacy) or when you actually get your first vaccination (state-administered sites or your personal doctor’s office).
I thought in the UK they were all about putting the first dose in your arm, and you get your second whenever you get around to it.
That was indeed the approach in the early days, but when the govt realised we don’t have an unlimited supply of vax they changed tack!
So, Sonia has had her first dose but doesn;t have a date for the second yet. My parents (and I think all the oldies I know) have had both of theirs, and everyone else I know who’ve had the first have a date for the second one. I’ll get to the front of the queue eventually.
May 31st. Vermont you book your second shot when you go get your first shot.
no jokes about struggling to get a second date, please …
You brought your A material today!!!