bluemeanie
7-28-05, 9:58 AM
Leafs returning ? at a price
Fans will have to pay extra for digital TV games
Hughson added to broadcast crew for Hockey Night
CHRIS ZELKOVICH
SPORTS MEDIA COLUMNIST
When the NHL returns on Oct. 5, Southern Ontario hockey fans will notice a few changes in the on-air product.
But the one they will notice most is that they will have to pay extra to watch every Leaf game.
As was the plan before last season was aborted, the digital Leafs TV channel will carry 12 Toronto games exclusively. That could end up costing from $24 to $150 a year, assuming you can get digital TV in your area, if you don't already subscribe to Leafs TV.
Exactly which 12 games will be on digital hasn't been decided yet, but Leafs TV vice-president John Shannon is aiming for a steady diet of Friday night games.
``There are nine Friday games and if we can get most of those we'd be very happy," Shannon said.
Friday opponents include Calgary, Buffalo, Boston, New York Rangers, Washington, New York Islanders, Atlanta and Carolina.
Shannon is expecting an increase in subscribers, but isn't worried about a firestorm of anger once fans realize they have to pay extra.
Shannon said he received only 17 e-mails from angry fans when last season's schedule was announced.
``It's a process," he said.
``We're hoping to open a door for other sports teams that will allow digital to be more acceptable."
Television schedules won't be finalized until next week at the earliest, though it is known that CBC will open its season on Oct. 8 and that TSN will carry the Leafs opener against Ottawa on Oct. 5.
TSN may broadcast a doubleheader opening night, which will see all 30 teams in action.
The change hockey fans will be happier about is the addition of play-by-play announcer Jim Hughson to Hockey Night In Canada.
He joins holdovers Bob Cole, Harry Neale, Greg Millen, Kelly Hrudey, Don Cherry and host Ron MacLean.
Recognized as one of the best in the business, Hughson will basically replace Chris Cuthbert as the CBC's western announcer.
In addition, he will also call 45 Vancouver Canucks games on Rogers Sportsnet Pacific.
``I'm thrilled," Hughson said in a conference call yesterday, adding that the opportunity to do playoff games was a bonus.
``For 20 years I got the main course, but never dessert."
Terms of the deal were not announced.
Hughson did say that his CBC deal puts an end to NBC's plans to use him as its game announcer when the American network starts NHL broadcasts in January.
``This was too good to turn down," he said later.
The only other change on the CBC broadcasts will be the addition of a skills segment that will air in the pre-game and between-game shows.
CBC senior executive producer Joel Darling said he saw no reason to overhaul the show.
``I don't want to make massive changes," he said. ``I don't think there needs to be."
The CBC will broadcast its Hockey Day in Canada special, which was aired by TSN during the lockout, on Jan. 7.
I know that there are many team's fans that don't have the privilege of viewing every single season game, because not all teams have every game televised in their region. But, for Leaf fans, we've always been able to flick on the TV or catch the game at our favourite pub whenever they were playing ? but alas, no more. So, for those of you without Digital TV, will you sign up now, or will you just catch the games at the local tank?
Fans will have to pay extra for digital TV games
Hughson added to broadcast crew for Hockey Night
CHRIS ZELKOVICH
SPORTS MEDIA COLUMNIST
When the NHL returns on Oct. 5, Southern Ontario hockey fans will notice a few changes in the on-air product.
But the one they will notice most is that they will have to pay extra to watch every Leaf game.
As was the plan before last season was aborted, the digital Leafs TV channel will carry 12 Toronto games exclusively. That could end up costing from $24 to $150 a year, assuming you can get digital TV in your area, if you don't already subscribe to Leafs TV.
Exactly which 12 games will be on digital hasn't been decided yet, but Leafs TV vice-president John Shannon is aiming for a steady diet of Friday night games.
``There are nine Friday games and if we can get most of those we'd be very happy," Shannon said.
Friday opponents include Calgary, Buffalo, Boston, New York Rangers, Washington, New York Islanders, Atlanta and Carolina.
Shannon is expecting an increase in subscribers, but isn't worried about a firestorm of anger once fans realize they have to pay extra.
Shannon said he received only 17 e-mails from angry fans when last season's schedule was announced.
``It's a process," he said.
``We're hoping to open a door for other sports teams that will allow digital to be more acceptable."
Television schedules won't be finalized until next week at the earliest, though it is known that CBC will open its season on Oct. 8 and that TSN will carry the Leafs opener against Ottawa on Oct. 5.
TSN may broadcast a doubleheader opening night, which will see all 30 teams in action.
The change hockey fans will be happier about is the addition of play-by-play announcer Jim Hughson to Hockey Night In Canada.
He joins holdovers Bob Cole, Harry Neale, Greg Millen, Kelly Hrudey, Don Cherry and host Ron MacLean.
Recognized as one of the best in the business, Hughson will basically replace Chris Cuthbert as the CBC's western announcer.
In addition, he will also call 45 Vancouver Canucks games on Rogers Sportsnet Pacific.
``I'm thrilled," Hughson said in a conference call yesterday, adding that the opportunity to do playoff games was a bonus.
``For 20 years I got the main course, but never dessert."
Terms of the deal were not announced.
Hughson did say that his CBC deal puts an end to NBC's plans to use him as its game announcer when the American network starts NHL broadcasts in January.
``This was too good to turn down," he said later.
The only other change on the CBC broadcasts will be the addition of a skills segment that will air in the pre-game and between-game shows.
CBC senior executive producer Joel Darling said he saw no reason to overhaul the show.
``I don't want to make massive changes," he said. ``I don't think there needs to be."
The CBC will broadcast its Hockey Day in Canada special, which was aired by TSN during the lockout, on Jan. 7.
I know that there are many team's fans that don't have the privilege of viewing every single season game, because not all teams have every game televised in their region. But, for Leaf fans, we've always been able to flick on the TV or catch the game at our favourite pub whenever they were playing ? but alas, no more. So, for those of you without Digital TV, will you sign up now, or will you just catch the games at the local tank?