Winter Classic 4

[Jason Harris 31]

There's no doubt the NHL and NBC has to be disappointed and baffled by the ratings drop, but keep in mind that last year's Winter Classic was the highest rated regular season game in something like 34 years. Given the viewing choices available today, it's probably fair to say that last year's was essentially the most watched regular season game ever. They're not always going to be able to top that, although I would have thought that their third go around and Fenway Park would have been enough to so.

[dsjunior1388 81]

It would make more sense if the NHL did something like Capitals vs. Islanders or vs. St. Louis or something, and then the Rangers in a different year. Whether the Capitals go first or the Rangers go first, it would be better for them to play other teams. That way the two biggest draws (Ovechkin, and the NY Rangers) are in different games to ensure a larger viewership.

[chippa13 1844]

The ratings drop had one reason and one reason only, zero star power.

The solution is obviously more Sidney Crosby, he's the only star in the NHL right now.

As much as this is a joke, there is sadly more than an ounce of truth in it. Because the league has hitched their wagon to Sid, and Sid alone for the most part, fringe folks don't know a whole lot of the other stars of today. They need to start creating more household names. If we're correct in assuming the next Classic will be NYR/Caps then the league needs to start pushing more Ovechkin but also the likes of Semin, Backstrom, Green, Drury, Gaborik, and Lundqvist. They need to start looking around further and hop on the Doughty bandwagon, ride Tavares a little bit. Not every ad can be Sid or Iginla.

[RiSeOnFiRe 0]

The ratings drop had one reason and one reason only, zero star power.

The solution is obviously more Sidney Crosby, he's the only star in the NHL right now.

As much as this is a joke, there is sadly more than an ounce of truth in it. Because the league has hitched their wagon to Sid, and Sid alone for the most part, fringe folks don't know a whole lot of the other stars of today. They need to start creating more household names. If we're correct in assuming the next Classic will be NYR/Caps then the league needs to start pushing more Ovechkin but also the likes of Semin, Backstrom, Green, Drury, Gaborik, and Lundqvist. They need to start looking around further and hop on the Doughty bandwagon, ride Tavares a little bit. Not every ad can be Sid or Iginla.

Absolutely. This kid is going to win multiple Norris trophies. The only problem is that there are never commercials about hockey when there is not already a hockey game on TV. At least in my area (LI). I feel like the NHL and NBC need to start reeling out the Winter Classic commercials a little earlier than usual, and during primetime tv. I also had a friend telling me that the NHL was going to be back on ESPN next year? Is there any truth to that? I was under the impression Versus had exclusive rights for a couple more years.

[Chadd 916]

I also had a friend telling me that the NHL was going to be back on ESPN next year? Is there any truth to that? I was under the impression Versus had exclusive rights for a couple more years.

At least through the end of next season, I can't find anything more current than this:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/23/sports/h...y/23versus.html

The only ESPN rumor that I heard is that they might be interested in an NBC deal. In other words, they get the games for free and split any profits with the league. I don't see this happening unless NBC walks away and the NHL can't get another broadcast partner. VS has the cable contract for at least one more year and ESPN would have to put money on the table to win that contract.

[Chadd 916]

Found this on another site, enjoy

http://www.boston.com/travel/explorene/spe...winter_classic/

[Jason Harris 31]

That picture reminded me that I loved the touch of both Sox' and B's retired numbers on the right field pavilion.

[the_game 452]

I also had a friend telling me that the NHL was going to be back on ESPN next year? Is there any truth to that? I was under the impression Versus had exclusive rights for a couple more years.

At least through the end of next season, I can't find anything more current than this:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/23/sports/h...y/23versus.html

The only ESPN rumor that I heard is that they might be interested in an NBC deal. In other words, they get the games for free and split any profits with the league. I don't see this happening unless NBC walks away and the NHL can't get another broadcast partner. VS has the cable contract for at least one more year and ESPN would have to put money on the table to win that contract.

I highly, highly doubt the NHL will be back on ESPN anytime soon. Just so you know ESPN views the NHL in the same light it views the Little League World Series, Major League Soccer, tennis, and Major League Lacrosse. ESPN doesn't even consider Hockey in the top 6 of sports. That is in terms of popularity and ratings. ESPN has enough product to push as it is and that product garners higher ratings then hockey.

On the topic of the Winter Classic at Fenway, it was a great event. Fenway wasn't ideal for a hockey game but the atmosphere was amazing. I feel bad for the folks that spent boatloads of money and had horrible viewing angles but thats the price you pay. I managed to score awesome seats for face value and was pleased that I was able to see all of the action.

And as for the Winter Classic next year, there will be two games. Not on the same day, but two separate outdoor games during the year.

[Chadd 916]

I highly, highly doubt the NHL will be back on ESPN anytime soon. Just so you know ESPN views the NHL in the same light it views the Little League World Series, Major League Soccer, tennis, and Major League Lacrosse. ESPN doesn't even consider Hockey in the top 6 of sports. That is in terms of popularity and ratings. ESPN has enough product to push as it is and that product garners higher ratings then hockey.

Actually ESPN guarantees more money to Little League than they were willing to commit to the NHL.

[Jason Harris 31]

Massachusetts House Speaker asked the NHL for annual outdoor game in the Boston area.

[cptjeff 0]

A. Isn't he on the team that has just lost 5 in a row?

You guys have been around here how long? I guess I need to include a smiley with my sarcasm, even the really obvious stuff from now on. The NHL needs to do a better job of marketing all of the top players, not just the anointed one. I find it hard to believe that the next winter classic will have anyone other than the Rangers and Capitals. After that it will be interesting as there are no other "household names" among casual fans of the sport.

This year was originally supposed to be Boston v. Washington, but NBC insisted on Philly instead of the Caps. The NHL was trying to promote Ovie (and they do promote him a lot- if you haven't seen him promoted by the NHL, you haven't been looking very hard. Who drove a Zamboni down 5th avenue again?). NBC wanted the Philly fanbase for ratings rather then the National draw due to Ovi's star power the NHL wanted.

If NBC complains about lower ratings, Bettman has a nice defense ready made.

[Chadd 916]

The Flyers over Caps thing was discussed back over the summer, NHL had to cave to the people paying the bills the NHL is not in a position of authority in regards to broadcast contracts. Never saw anything about him driving a Zamboni down fifth ave, or any other national promotion with him yet.

[cptjeff 0]

The Flyers over Caps thing was discussed back over the summer, NHL had to cave to the people paying the bills the NHL is not in a position of authority in regards to broadcast contracts. Never saw anything about him driving a Zamboni down fifth ave, or any other national promotion with him yet.

Then you haven't been paying too much attention. I see more of him then Crosby these days in various ads and such. The verizon V cast ad, for example. The one where they play hockey on the airport tarmac. Not to mention center ice commercials, those is this the year things....

Oh, and it was 6th ave. My bad: http://www.thedailytube.com/video/20271/ov...boni-nyc-genius

[Chadd 916]

The Flyers over Caps thing was discussed back over the summer, NBC had to cave to the people paying the bills the NHL is not in a position of authority in regards to broadcast contracts. Never saw anything about him driving a Zamboni down fifth ave, or any other national promotion with him yet.

Then you haven't been paying too much attention. I see more of him then Crosby these days in various ads and such. The verizon V cast ad, for example. The one where they play hockey on the airport tarmac. Not to mention center ice commercials, those is this the year things....

Oh, and it was 6th ave. My bad: http://www.thedailytube.com/video/20271/ov...boni-nyc-genius

The verizon ad doesn't push him at all, he just happens to be one of the several guys shown for a second or two. Not to mention it's a Verizon commercial, not an NHL specific spot. If you notice it's also a spot that features a team that plays in the Verizon center and the closest team to them. The center ice spot I see is the one with people living in other markets, not a focus on players. I watch the NHL network most afternoons and late at night, just about every night. The NHL did a ton of promotion coming out of the lockout, all of it focused on Crosby. Since then, they have either stopped or become completely ineffective.

[cptjeff 0]

I was referring to this one, a rather old ad:

.

I don't get NHL network, I don't see those ads. And if you standard is "shoved down people's throats", I don't really see that with any player, not even Crosby.

The NHL itself dosen't produce a whole lot of ads. But those they do make feature a variety of players.

As for the Vcast ad, Ovechkin's face is the only one they really show clearly, and he's the one you're expected to recognize. I count it as an Ovie ad, even if it's not done by the NHL.

[chippa13 1844]

Showing his face clearly does nothing if much of the viewing audience has no idea just whose face they are looking at.

[cptjeff 0]

So what do you want? Alex Ovechkin on standing still in front of a screen, "Hi, I'm Alex Ovechkin. I am an NHL superstar. Watch the NHL".

Oh, another big Ovechkin ad- remember who was the main focus in this ad from 2007? I seem to remember it getting a lot of airtime.

[chippa13 1844]

You're right, why run more campaigns, they're all set with the run from 3 years ago.

[heatley15 5]

I was at the bruins game the other night talking to a season ticket holder who went to the winter classic, he said he hated it and did not enjoy it at all. He said he paid $250 for his ticket and he was sitting at centre ice, which he said was part of the best seats and he had a big post in front of him and cold barely see the game. Which i thought sucked because he was a very nice guy who knew alot about hockey and loved his bruins to be that dissapointed with the event.

[cptjeff 0]

You're right, why run more campaigns, they're all set with the run from 3 years ago.

I'm saying that the "they've never promoted Ovechkin ever" whining is completely unjustified. It's simply untrue.

[DCott 0]

I was at the bruins game the other night talking to a season ticket holder who went to the winter classic, he said he hated it and did not enjoy it at all. He said he paid $250 for his ticket and he was sitting at centre ice, which he said was part of the best seats and he had a big post in front of him and cold barely see the game. Which i thought sucked because he was a very nice guy who knew alot about hockey and loved his bruins to be that dissapointed with the event.

The funny part is that the best seats in the house were the grandstand standing room seats near 1st and 3rd base.

[bostonjuniorblackhawks 1]

I was at the bruins game the other night talking to a season ticket holder who went to the winter classic, he said he hated it and did not enjoy it at all. He said he paid $250 for his ticket and he was sitting at centre ice, which he said was part of the best seats and he had a big post in front of him and cold barely see the game. Which i thought sucked because he was a very nice guy who knew alot about hockey and loved his bruins to be that dissapointed with the event.

The funny part is that the best seats in the house were the grandstand standing room seats near 1st and 3rd base.

Especially the last row of the grand stands. The seats above the grandstands were great as well. Unfortunately I had seats buy the right foul pole and couldn't see anything. I move to standing row and could watch a little of the game though.

[Chadd 916]

You're right, why run more campaigns, they're all set with the run from 3 years ago.

I'm saying that the "they've never promoted Ovechkin ever" whining is completely unjustified. It's simply untrue.

Whining, really? You can't simply disagree with someone without making it personal and taking (really weak) cheap shots? The NHL has stopped marketing the players for the most part and the one current spot with Ovechkin is for a cell phone, the players are simply scenery. It is not a spot promoting the players.

[cptjeff 0]

You're right, why run more campaigns, they're all set with the run from 3 years ago.

I'm saying that the "they've never promoted Ovechkin ever" whining is completely unjustified. It's simply untrue.

Whining, really? You can't simply disagree with someone without making it personal and taking (really weak) cheap shots? The NHL has stopped marketing the players for the most part and the one current spot with Ovechkin is for a cell phone, the players are simply scenery. It is not a spot promoting the players.

Okay, so now it's they're not promoting any players. Earlier it was they're not promoting Ovechkin, but Crosby gets all sorts of promotion.

Not promoting players at all is a different matter.

And if whining is such a serious insult, why is it tacked on to Crosby's name with no thought on such a regular basis. What'd he ever do to your mother? That wasn't supposed to be a cheap shot, that was supposed to be more of a statement of fact. The whole "crosby sux, ovie should have twice as much airtime" attitude is something I consider whining. It's not limited to you. In fact, you come nowhere near to having the worst case I've seen. It's a description of the attitude in general.

Fact is that verizon ad is the only ad I can really remember seeing this year that clearly featured a single NHL player, other then promo spots for games. And it has a nice hero shot of Ovechkin.

[Chadd 916]

And if whining is such a serious insult, why is it tacked on to Crosby's name with no thought on such a regular basis. What'd he ever do to your mother? That wasn't supposed to be a cheap shot, that was supposed to be more of a statement of fact. The whole "crosby sux, ovie should have twice as much airtime" attitude is something I consider whining. It's not limited to you. In fact, you come nowhere near to having the worst case I've seen. It's a description of the attitude in general.

I'm not sure what planet you are on, but I know it isn't this one. There is no way to have a reasoned debate with someone that makes up things like this.