Do You Care if The NHL All-Star Game is on Broadcast TV?

[TMC]

http://puckthemedia.wordpress.com/20...t-tv/#more-892

Before we begin this, let’s start off with a year-by-year All-Star ratings look:

1991, Chicago (NBC, Afternoon): 2.7
1992, Philadelphia (NBC, Afternoon): 2.3
1993, Montreal (NBC, Afternoon): 2.4
1994, New York (NBC, Afternoon): 2.5
1996, Boston (FOX, Primetime): 4.1
1997, San Jose (FOX, Primetime): 2.8
1998, Vancouver (FOX, Afternoon): 2.7
1999, Tampa Bay (FOX, Afternoon): 2.2
2000, Toronto (ABC, Afternoon): 2.7
2001, Denver (ABC, Afternoon): 1.7
2002, Los Angeles (ABC, Afternoon): 1.8
2003, Sunrise (ABC, Afternoon): 1.7
2004, Minnesota (ABC, Afternoon): 1.8
2007, Dallas (VERSUS, Primetime): 0.5
2008, Atlanta (VERSUS, Primetime): 0.7

This would be a weird chart graph if I ever attempted to make it. It’d go from the highest rated hockey game of the 90’s (The 1996 All-Star Game) to the lowest rated All-Star game, perhaps ever (2007). The point is that it seems around 2001, people really stopped caring about the All-Star Game. Many of the All-Star Games in the 90’s drew Winter Classic-level ratings. It was clear then that the game was the one chance to see all of the NHL’s stars look awesome.

So, what the hell happened?

We can easily blame the the 2001 and 2002 games on people tiring of the World/North America format. But why didn’t going back to East/West make things fresh again? Why did people stop caring long before the game was dumped from broadcast TV to VERSUS? Does it really matter?

Well, I won’t turn this into an ” is the All-Star Game a waste of time” diatribe. But I do care about the TV aspects. In an age where the NBA All-Star Game is thriving on cable, and the Pro Bowl and MLB All-Star Game are sagging on broadcast, should the NHL lobby to get it’s All-Star Game back on the networks, or try to build into a destination for VERSUS?

Now, to VERSUS’ credit, they are trying to build it’s programming slate with a campaign centered around the NHL All-Star Game (more on this later today). They have to be happy themselves with the ratings of their first two games, which out-drew all but two of VERSUS previous regular season NHL telecasts (Both this year and both featured Detroit). With the game in Montreal this year, the ratings will likely grow to an 0.8 or 0.9, or they could stay where they are due to the lack of Sidney Crosby.

But the NHL has another couple years to reevaluate the All-Star Game as an event. Hell, they haven’t even announced a host for 2011. We usually know where the ASG two years from now is being held. If it isn’t announced this weekend, then you know that the game is in serious duress and a candidate to be replaced. However, if ratings crack 1 million viewers on VERSUS, you bet your ass the NHL thinks there’s growth potential for the game on the network.

Still though, this is the NHL’s showcase event for it’s all-stars, or at least it used to be. On a weekend where there is really nothing else airing on NBC (or any other broadcast network) the league should really have done all it could to get the Peacock network to air the game. Let VERSUS keep the skills show and possibly give them a Legends game (If they’ll air it, who knows). But the NHL, out of all the major leauges, needs another showcase most. It needs to be able to get to everyone.

[Big C]

Yes, I care.

This is my favorite of all the All-Star Games.

While a lot of people ridicule the fact that there is no defense or checking, I say this: do they think before they realize what they're saying?

I lived through the dead-puck era. I don't want to see anymore 1-0 or 2-1 games. I saw too many of those.

I like to see goals. I don't want to see teams getting off only 20 shots a game and barely getting into the opposing team's attacking zone.

I want to see goals. I don't want to see boring defensive slugfests.

I love games like the 14-12 shootout in 2001.

I love a good-old fashioned hockey shootout.

[robyrob]

i dont care what channel its on, but the NHL and VERSUS didn't seem to advertise the game AT ALL this year - I only came across it by accident and had no idea when it was going to be on.

they should also make more of a weekend of it; re-air the skills competition show again on Sunday before the game, show some of the other stuff to hype it up, maybe do some features of some of the games big stars or something...

I also want to see GOALS, lots of them - that doesn't mean that there can't be defense but they need to keep some incentive going for the players.

[MrCleveland]

Maybe that's how it should be.

If the Super Bowl was on ESPN, then expect a lot of disappointments.

[James]

Put simply, NO!!!

[Mikado]

I watched the game (its broadcast on CBC here in Canada), and, if you like a LOT of goals, I guess it's ok, but, I DON'T WANT TO SEE GAMES LIKE THIS IN THE REGULAR SEASON....(NHL Commissioner and jack@$$ )Gory Buttman would love to see that, but, it's time that he #&#@$^ realises hockey ISN'T basketball! Stop trying to emphasize goal scoring and emphasize the skill, goaltending and playmaking THAT is hockey, Buttman!!!!

[Mikado]

THE FACE OF EVIL!

[Big C]

I watched the game (its broadcast on CBC here in Canada), and, if you like a LOT of goals, I guess it's ok, but, I DON'T WANT TO SEE GAMES LIKE THIS IN THE REGULAR SEASON....(NHL Commissioner and jack@$$ )Gory Buttman would love to see that, but, it's time that he #&#@$^ realises hockey ISN'T basketball! Stop trying to emphasize goal scoring and emphasize the skill, goaltending and playmaking THAT is hockey, Buttman!!!!

I enjoyed the game.

I know you hate the idea of tons of offense and a lack of checking.

However, I had to live with the extreme opposite- tons of defense, and abysmal offense.

I lived through the dead puck era, and I had to wash me eyes out by the time it was done.

I watched six games in one week, and those games had a combined total of 22 goals in an an entire week.

I never want to go back to those days, where three combined goals was considered an offensive explosion.

When you watch dull games for years, you eventually say, "I'd like to see someone put the puck in the net."

Besides, since you're from Montreal and a Habs fan, you should be pleased that a Canadien- Alexei Kovalev- won the game MVP.

[Big C]

Oh, one more thing- unlike Bud Selig, at least Bettman didn't say the game would end in a TIE!

[Mikado]

I lived through the dead puck era also, but, I'd rather watch a WELL-PLAYED 1-0 game than a poorly played 8-6 game ANYDAY....The problem isnt the amount of goals scored, it's the game play and the watering down of talent in a league much too LARGE (The 30 teams should be pared down to no more than 18 or 20 ) for the talent available, that is the REAL problem....a poorly played game is still a poorly played game whether, the score is 2-1 or 22-11!
I want quality, not quantity.
ps yeah, i was glad to see Kovey get MVP, he deserved it.

(Keep in mind, FSU, I look at this as a discussion, not a fight....I respect your opinion, even if I dont agree with it , the important thing is to have the best NHL possible!)

[Mikado]

Originally Posted by FSU

Oh, one more thing- unlike Bud Selig, at least Bettman didn't say the game would end in a TIE!

haha Good point!

Actually, i hate the shootout, but, I'm willing to live with it, so long as it's kept OUT of the playoffs!