Comments on: Sportsnet record for Kessel’s debut

By: Bob Babinski

Bob Babinski — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 02:51:03 +0000

Transparency is the fundamental issue when it comes to pro sports teams jumping the H1N1 queue.
The good4sports blog weighs in: http://good4sports.wordpress.com

By: Big Daddy

Big Daddy — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:42:46 +0000

It’s not about losing money for the Leafs. Both TSN have lost tons on the blue and white for years. What matters is turning your network into THE destination for hockey.. once there you will hopefully be impressed enough to tune in at other times.. boosting those ratings and that’s when it pays off. TSN let the Leafs go because it cost too much per game. They instead took the money and invested in NHL On TSN brand and that is arguably the go-to place for live hockey. The only reasons Sportsnet gets any live programming is because: 1 They Grossly overpay
2 It’s a product that will not make the requisite amount of money
3 Because TSN lets them.. although with the Deuce now on the dial.. this option may dry up quickly

Ultimately it won’t matter as CTVGlobemedia will likely buy Sportsnet or be bought out by Rogers within 10 years.

By: 4 x 4 Time

4 x 4 Time — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:15:59 +0000

Thanks – Man, sure sounds like a recipe for failure, or Sportsnet executives are rabid Leaf Fans.

By: Hypocrisy

Hypocrisy — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:56:54 +0000

I think it is ridiculous that Health Canada are allowing some people, hockey players, included to get the swine flu vaccine over other people.

The rule is suppose to be that you have to fall into a high risk group to get it. I attempted to go get the vaccine and was denied, because I have no underlining illness they said. So unless these hockey players have underline illnesses, they should not be getting vaccines before anyone else. And playing bad hockey doesn’t qualify for an underlining illness, Leafs!

By: Sportsnet: Where Phil Kessel Happens (And Equals Ratings) « Puck The Media

Sportsnet: Where Phil Kessel Happens (And Equals Ratings) « Puck The Media — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:02:46 +0000

[...] Maple Leafs lineup provided Rogers Sportsnet Ontario with one of it’s bigger Leaf audiences, via William Houston: Phil Kessel’s first game with the Leafs on Tuesday produced a mega audience for Rogers Sportsnet [...]

By: Mike

Mike — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:53:09 +0000

That number came from an old article, either written by Bill here while he was at The Globe or Zed at The Star I forget. Sportsnet paid $700,000 per game in their contract, almost double what the old contract with TSN was. They apparently lose money because they don’t make enough in commercial sales during the games to cover the price plus any production costs.

By: Chris

Chris — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:19:28 +0000

You were a little harsh on Bruce Boudreau don’t you think?

By: 4 x 4 Time

4 x 4 Time — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:00:59 +0000

I am not a TV executive and certainly do not understand the finances of broadcasting, but I am curious by Mike’s claim that Sportsnet will lose money on each game they broadcast.

Do most broadcasters lose money on Sports broadcasts?

By: Brian p

Brian p — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:41:54 +0000

I always thought that was a curious slogan. Especially since, in the grand scheme of things, how much does any sport “matter” anyway?

The only reason I really ever pondered this concept of a sport “mattering”, though, is the fault of my old roommate, who is an NFL fan and said he thought it was “cute” that I watched the CFL “as though it mattered.” What does “mattering” have to do with sports in the first place? “Hockey that entertains” would be a better slogan for Sportsnet. Except it’s a little harder to guarantee than the nebulous (and kind of philosophical, when you really think about it) idea of providing “hockey that matters”…

By: JP

JP — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:33:21 +0000

Since when were the Leafs “hockey that matters” anyway?