CBC likely to retain NHL rights

[Booche]

The Globe and Mail's William Houston reported that the CBC is the front-runner to retain National Hockey League broadcast rights past the 2007-08 season.

A source close to the negotiations said CBC should hold on to the rights, but it will be a short deal of only three of four years.

If that happens, Habs' fans across Canada will have to endure four more years of Leaf Night in Canada... err, Hockey Night in Canada, which has been ignoring the Quebec market for far too long.

It has been speculated that the CTV network, which owns TSN, is making a pitch for the national rights, but talks between the NHL and Bell Globemedia have not reached a serious stage yet.

One possible downside to the CTV deal would be the fact only one game would be shown on Saturday nights instead of the double header the CBC carries.

If the CBC were to lose the NHL TV contract, it would mean the end of Canada's longest-running and perhaps best-known television show, Hockey Night in Canada.

Here's is what some believe could happen, according to Houston:

The CBC would continue to air Saturday night doubleheaders, but would be required to share Canadian games in the playoffs with TSN.

TSN would have its Canadian content increase dramatically. It would air a doubleheader Wednesday nights in which both games would involve Canadian teams. In the playoffs, TSN would get a first-round, and perhaps a second-round series involving a Canadian team if more than one was playing.

The CBC's rights fee would likely be in the range of $100-million a year. Right now, the network is paying $65-million annually and earning a profit of about $30-million. With the increased fee, that cash cow would disappear.

It is believed TSN is paying the NHL between $15-million and $20-million annually in its current cable agreement. With the added value of more Canadian games and playoff content, that fee would jump considerably.

[Guest Low Roller]

Can't you watch the Habs games on SRC (Station Radio-Canada)? It makes sense that the Habs games are broadcast in French really given the location.

That would leave HNIC free to broadcast the Leafs games, that way showing both teams play. Only Ottawa is left out in the cold with their crappy non-CBC coverage.

[dave-O]

Can't you watch the Habs games on SRC (Station Radio-Canada)?

Nope. The CBC's english and french language deals were separate. RDS has had all Habs coverage (including Saturday nights) for a couple years now.

[Guest Low Roller]

What??? No more Soiree de Hockey Molson??

::quickly checks::

Oh great woe! How I lament the loss of this sacred institution!!! I will always cherish the memories of watching the Habs play the Nordiques in those classic Saturday night games.

"...Chelios avec la rondelle... Il contourne Goulet, passe a Carbonneau... ET COMPTE!!"

[Booche]

Didnt we already go through this with you Roller?

Perhaps not but I can tell you this. Give me the RDS broadcast anytime.

[dave-O]

We need an RDS appreciation thread (or forum??).

Their commentators may be even bigger homers than the HNIC crew, but damned if any channel out there shows as much hockey as RDS does. Seriously, I don't think TSN even comes close. They air every Habs game, a handful of Sens games, and a another handful of random games of interest (often involving Pittsburgh).