Jeremy Laura: The “other” broadcast partner, ESPN, now facing outside bids

First, the NHL doesn’t market its players. I’d like to see the intermission segments on broadcasts, show the players without helmets, their personal stories, interests, etc. Let them connect more on both national and local levels.

Second, instead of partnering with one exclusive provider, be more accessible with multiple platforms. The average hockey fan should not have to spend 20 minutes surfing platforms to find a game, then be disappointed that it isn’t televised.

Third, list all games, and where to see it on NHL Website, and add in an interactive rules tutorial. New fans should be able to go to a place to understand why the whistle was blown. I’ve taken people to games that enjoy watching, but don’t white understand what and why the whistle was blown.

Lastly, eliminate the instigator rule and subsequent suspension scale. Like it or not, when Matt Rempe came into the league, it was a huge interest. I personally know at least a dozen people who had to talk about it, and they are very casual fans. I’m not advocating for gooning it up every game, but if two willing combatants want to go, let em. If you’ve been to a game, and a fight breaks out, the place goes crazy. Game is too sterile.

First, the NHL doesn’t market its players. I’d like to see the intermission segments on broadcasts, show the players without helmets, their personal stories, interests, etc. Let them connect more on both national and local levels.

Second, instead of partnering with one exclusive provider, be more accessible with multiple platforms. The average hockey fan should not have to spend 20 minutes surfing platforms to find a game, then be disappointed that it isn’t televised.

Third, list all games, and where to see it on NHL Website, and add in an interactive rules tutorial. New fans should be able to go to a place to understand why the whistle was blown. I’ve taken people to games that enjoy watching, but don’t white understand what and why the whistle was blown.

Lastly, eliminate the instigator rule and subsequent suspension scale. Like it or not, when Matt Rempe came into the league, it was a huge interest. I personally know at least a dozen people who had to talk about it, and they are very casual fans. I’m not advocating for gooning it up every game, but if two willing combatants want to go, let em. If you’ve been to a game, and a fight breaks out, the place goes crazy. Game is too sterile.
- Hokeeguy9

Lots to break down, very good points at this time of year the only CMD ad I see is about gambling limits but a rising WNBA star has a ton of commercials. They do have multiple partners, but the old app was (I thought) way better. ESPN+ just doesn’t have it. And to your point, even Snoop Dogg ripped the number of places to catch a game.

Hockey as a pro sport is fairly Niche. The current crap drove away long time fans. Not good. Really good stuff. I love where your head is at

I've been reading that Apple has been sniffing around for a piece of ESPN. That would make sense since they have MLB locked up.

I've been reading that Apple has been sniffing around for a piece of ESPN. That would make sense since they have MLB locked up.
- PrinceLH

Heard the same thing from an industry associate. Now that MBL is off the table, NASCAR & NFL have begun migrating over to streaming, I *think* Apple is going to try to gain "niche" sports (NHL, rugby, etc...). No clue of the truthfulness of this, but makes sense.

First, the NHL doesn’t market its players. I’d like to see the intermission segments on broadcasts, show the players without helmets, their personal stories, interests, etc. Let them connect more on both national and local levels.

Second, instead of partnering with one exclusive provider, be more accessible with multiple platforms. The average hockey fan should not have to spend 20 minutes surfing platforms to find a game, then be disappointed that it isn’t televised.

Third, list all games, and where to see it on NHL Website, and add in an interactive rules tutorial. New fans should be able to go to a place to understand why the whistle was blown. I’ve taken people to games that enjoy watching, but don’t white understand what and why the whistle was blown.

Lastly, eliminate the instigator rule and subsequent suspension scale. Like it or not, when Matt Rempe came into the league, it was a huge interest. I personally know at least a dozen people who had to talk about it, and they are very casual fans. I’m not advocating for gooning it up every game, but if two willing combatants want to go, let em. If you’ve been to a game, and a fight breaks out, the place goes crazy. Game is too sterile.
- Hokeeguy9

What THIS guy said!!

Hokee, you slammed every fault of the NHL as well as some very savvy recommendations. Very insightful.

Listen, streaming is insanely priced now, in many cases, and as more n more sports migrate over, the more expensive it'll become. And the providers can justify it (in their eyes....). Sounds like a crap deal overall to me. Especially this whole "black-out" BS. I can see the "providers" opening up all games.....for a premium price. They do it now! Streaming started as an ad-free way to binge shows, then adds started coming in, then more, then different Tiers of Service....pay more, see fewer adds. Stinks what they're doing. Anti-trust worthy if you ask me.....

As the NHL navigates the broadcast waters, I wonder how many more viewers will just stop all together? Hell, Apple is going to start at $50/month then drop "concierge" services (sports, then teams, then adds, etc...) in addition to normal shows. Don't get me going on movies; another tier of service. Greed. Simply put, greed.

I've been reading that Apple has been sniffing around for a piece of ESPN. That would make sense since they have MLB locked up.
- PrinceLH

Apple is the biggest “look over your shoulder”. It’s hard to quantify the money they have on hand. There was also a fallout between Steve Job’s widow and the parent co this year. Netflix wants this bad, as does Amazon. Amazon has to be cautious. All the markets they may have streaming for now would combine with what is up for grabs. Apple is (in my eyes) the favorite. They are finalizing FIFA. not big here, but world wide? 1.45 billion in India love FIFA. Get them NBA streams too that’s a healthy Audience

Heard the same thing from an industry associate. Now that MBL is off the table, NASCAR & NFL have begun migrating over to streaming, I *think* Apple is going to try to gain "niche" sports (NHL, rugby, etc...). No clue of the truthfulness of this, but makes sense.
- mcmastermike1968

Apple has been waiting. Niche for us in Rugby is big overseas. Apple almost done w FIFA deal. Europe revolves around soccer

What THIS guy said!!

Hokee, you slammed every fault of the NHL as well as some very savvy recommendations. Very insightful.

Listen, streaming is insanely priced now, in many cases, and as more n more sports migrate over, the more expensive it'll become. And the providers can justify it (in their eyes....). Sounds like a crap deal overall to me. Especially this whole "black-out" BS. I can see the "providers" opening up all games.....for a premium price. They do it now! Streaming started as an ad-free way to binge shows, then adds started coming in, then more, then different Tiers of Service....pay more, see fewer adds. Stinks what they're doing. Anti-trust worthy if you ask me.....

As the NHL navigates the broadcast waters, I wonder how many more viewers will just stop all together? Hell, Apple is going to start at $50/month then drop "concierge" services (sports, then teams, then adds, etc...) in addition to normal shows. Don't get me going on movies; another tier of service. Greed. Simply put, greed.
- mcmastermike1968

hockey just doesn’t have the same numbers. In part, it’s very expensive. Cricket, soccer and Rugby are everywhere. To the earlier point, the NHL has multiple broadcast partners. They’re just not a huge draw. NBA is panicked at 1.4m average, NHL has around 700k. March saw crowds of 9 and 12 million for men and womens basketball. Last year SCF didn’t break 4m in the biggest games but NBA hit 14m last year. Regardless, if I were Bettman, I’d be sending swag to Apple and Netflix for world wide distribution

hockey just doesn’t have the same numbers. In part, it’s very expensive. Cricket, soccer and Rugby are everywhere. To the earlier point, the NHL has multiple broadcast partners. They’re just not a huge draw. NBA is panicked at 1.4m average, NHL has around 700k. March saw crowds of 9 and 12 million for men and womens basketball. Last year SCF didn’t break 4m in the biggest games but NBA hit 14m last year. Regardless, if I were Bettman, I’d be sending swag to Apple and Netflix for world wide distribution
- Jeremy Laura

So, I think you just hit on something: world-wide distro. The ability to tap into Europe especially, maybe Australia, Japan (developing, but not a major country yet...) could really reap financial benefits because hockey's huge in Europe....could be a windfall, financially. Amazon & Apple are definitely world-wide, well-known names.....

Off topic, but I’ve watched both Wash-NYR games and I have to say, Wash is probably the worst playoff team I’ve ever seen. If NYR players just stand and fill the gaps, Wash players will find a way to put the puck directly on their sticks. I’ve never seen anything like NY’s third goal. Ovi basically handed off the puck to a NY player, giving them a simple 2 on 2, Ovi doesn’t try to catch the dude he gave the puck to, didn’t pick up the trailer and instead, skated directly to the back of his net and watched them score. It was one of the laziest sequences I’ve ever seen an NHL game. I dislike Wash and like NYR even less, but what a crap series and really bad hockey.

So, I think you just hit on something: world-wide distro. The ability to tap into Europe especially, maybe Australia, Japan (developing, but not a major country yet...) could really reap financial benefits because hockey's huge in Europe....could be a windfall, financially. Amazon & Apple are definitely world-wide, well-known names.....
- mcmastermike1968

Because of shifts in travel, a lot of people have forgotten than Ovi was paraded around China a bit. They love him there. Pre shut down there were talks of NHL international teams that would host games throughout the year but that died down a good deal

There’s a win to be had with viewership, but pricing will be the issue. Hulu lost a cricket league in India. 700k subs gone. But they were paying the equivalent of 46 cents per month. It’s a tricky market

Off topic, but I’ve watched both Wash-NYR games and I have to say, Wash is probably the worst playoff team I’ve ever seen. If NYR players just stand and fill the gaps, Wash players will find a way to put the puck directly on their sticks. I’ve never seen anything like NY’s third goal. Ovi basically handed off the puck to a NY player, giving them a simple 2 on 2, Ovi doesn’t try to catch the dude he gave the puck to, didn’t pick up the trailer and instead, skated directly to the back of his net and watched them score. It was one of the laziest sequences I’ve ever seen an NHL game. I dislike Wash and like NYR even less, but what a crap series and really bad hockey.
- bluelineenforcer

Howdy, Blue! Interesting that you're positing the issue with CAPs......The Chicklets guys all said that having DRW play the NYR would've been a MUCH better match-up. CAPs are good, but not a strong enough team to play in the SCPO. Detroit's been mentioned multiple times as a much stronger team that SHOULD have made the SCPO. Messier was on last night and made the comment that he felt DRW would've been a much stronger team to play for NYR. Honestly, I think us making the SCPO would've been cool n all, I'm not sold that it would've been beneficial. To me, I feel we gained the most positive experience by the struggle that was the final stretch of games (what, last 10 games or so, maybe?). I think the kids (especially Eddy, LORD how we watched him grow....he's there to stay; Raymond was simply a beast...) got WAY more out of the run-up to the SCPO vs potentially getting waxed in the 1st round....HOWEVER, I think that we would've probably made the 1st round run to 5+ games vs a straight-up thumpin'.

All the hockey folks I've listened to since the beginning of April fairly feel the same way: DRW is getting to be a hard out, growing in strength, has the best outlook for the immediate future, of any of the nearly-made-it and WC teams. And I truly think that's true. When you start looking at potentially bringing in Johanson (he's got some room to grow, for sure...but the kid's sneaky good), Mazur, Kasper, Danielson (I think he makes the O.N. roster outta camp...)...this team's going to be better than this year's version. There are some dudes that we need to do away with (we ALL know the names...) that'll free up some cap space. Now, the MANAGEMENT has learned some things as well, I think. The Captain's moves were pretty good, but some of the signings made little sense (Holl, Copp, et. al.) and we have to deal with those. Trading them will require retention and/or a sweetener, so there's LOTS of off-season work left. But I HOPE the lesson was learned about going big in AAV vs duration and potential impact. I HOPE.

Regardless, the bar has been set, and all the talking heads agree that NOT making the SCPO next year would indicate failure. I wouldn't think it means having to tear it all down; that's excessively overblowing the situation. But it *could* mean some more big names could be moved...

STILL a good team, y'all.

Because of shifts in travel, a lot of people have forgotten than Ovi was paraded around China a bit. They love him there. Pre shut down there were talks of NHL international teams that would host games throughout the year but that died down a good deal

There’s a win to be had with viewership, but pricing will be the issue. Hulu lost a cricket league in India. 700k subs gone. But they were paying the equivalent of 46 cents per month. It’s a tricky market
- Jeremy Laura

I HOPE the NHL realizes that they need to cool their jets and get serious about finances. I know that hope will be dashed, BUT.... Streaming's going to be hard to get consistency on because there's not the huge audience for hockey in N. America. Expanding to Europe, China......that makes sense, but the market would determine what that could look like. I would *think* that Europe could be a bit more of a cash influx than China, but there's definitely an interest there...the issue is the Chinese government restrictions on outside media and advertising being so tightly controlled. For that reason, I'm not sure I'd put my eggs in China's basket...

Now, what if the NHL did a co-deal with, say the SHL? So streamers got to see SHL games in NA, whilst the Swede's/North-Eastern Europeans got the NHL & SHL? Could be an interesting move.....

IF THIS HITS, IT WAS MY IDEA, BETTMAN!!!!! And I WILL demand royalties....to share with the folks here for a game in GR..maybe The Pizza Palace as well.

I HOPE the NHL realizes that they need to cool their jets and get serious about finances. I know that hope will be dashed, BUT.... Streaming's going to be hard to get consistency on because there's not the huge audience for hockey in N. America. Expanding to Europe, China......that makes sense, but the market would determine what that could look like. I would *think* that Europe could be a bit more of a cash influx than China, but there's definitely an interest there...the issue is the Chinese government restrictions on outside media and advertising being so tightly controlled. For that reason, I'm not sure I'd put my eggs in China's basket...

Now, what if the NHL did a co-deal with, say the SHL? So streamers got to see SHL games in NA, whilst the Swede's/North-Eastern Europeans got the NHL & SHL? Could be an interesting move.....

IF THIS HITS, IT WAS MY IDEA, BETTMAN!!!!! And I WILL demand royalties....to share with the folks here for a game in GR..maybe The Pizza Palace as well.

- mcmastermike1968

You are dead on in streaming. One company has been posting profits. Netflix. D+ has lost 11billion net