badams Posted August 9, 2005 Report Share Posted August 9, 2005 The NHL is on the verge of signing off with a new U.S. cable TV partner.Comcast has formally submitted a two-year bid in excess of $100 million US to televise NHL games beginning this fall, sources directly involved in the discussions told the Inquirer in Tuesday's edition.The deal calls for Comcast to televise two games a week nationally. The cable giant plans to put the games on its on its Outdoor Life Network, which is also available in Canada.Comcast submitted its bid over the weekend, according to the Inquirer. The NHL could act on it by this weekend. The company is a major owner of the Philadelphia Flyers.Comcast spokesperson Tim Fitzpatrick declined Monday to comment on the network's interest in the NHL. The NHL also declined when reached by the Inquirer.If the NHL approves the deal, the contract will be forwarded to ESPN. In April, ESPN opted not to renew its $70-million option to televise the NHL for 2005-06 and 2006-07, but ESPN retains the right to match the new offer, a source told the Inquirer. ESPN has carried NHL games in the United States since 1985.The NHL also has a national broadcast deal with NBC but needed a new cable partner after ESPN withdrew in April. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave-O Posted August 9, 2005 Report Share Posted August 9, 2005 This is potentially huge news. It would be tough to "grow the game" without a US cable deal, not to mention that elusive TV money to split between the teams. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Booche Posted August 9, 2005 Report Share Posted August 9, 2005 I think it is great news. It looked like the league could have been done with no tv deal in place. Sure, NBC has a hand in there, but that doesnt count. It amounted to less coverage than Arena Football and bowling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Low Roller Posted August 9, 2005 Report Share Posted August 9, 2005 Outdoor Life Network??!! It's an INDOOR game!I bet they used the Outdoor Classic to pitch the product. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaimoe Posted August 9, 2005 Report Share Posted August 9, 2005 This is good news. Getting two games on per-week is the most important thing here, no matter the network. The deal is pretty good financially too, given the cap contract. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggest Fan Posted August 10, 2005 Report Share Posted August 10, 2005 Which is the bigger agreement deal: Labor or T.V. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Del Posted August 10, 2005 Report Share Posted August 10, 2005 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggest Fan Posted August 12, 2005 Report Share Posted August 12, 2005 I prefer 'Pro' sports. Only because the players are that much more skilled. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Del Posted August 13, 2005 Report Share Posted August 13, 2005 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rubberdinghy Posted August 18, 2005 Report Share Posted August 18, 2005 (edited) The deal with Comcast goes beyond just television rights. Comcast will bring the NHL Network to cable systems in the United States, and provide on-demand game broadcasts and computer streaming of live games.computer streaming.....that could be cool... full story Edited August 18, 2005 by Guest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaimoe Posted August 18, 2005 Report Share Posted August 18, 2005 I like this deal. It's progressive, using on-line technology combined with a fresh new television network perspective. Now of course, ESPN's influential and hugely rated Sports Centre will bury the hockey highlights. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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