GDT: GAME 39/82 BLUES @ BLACKHAWKS NHL 2025 WINTER CLASSIC GAME 4PM CST TNT/MAX/TRUTV

[Reality Czech]

I don't see any issue with it whatsoever.

I'm actually happy they are drinking beer and not FirstPhorm or some energy drink. Enjoy your pops boys!

 

[Stupendous Yappi]

I don't see an issue with it. It's no different than champagne in the locker room after championships. I don't think Monty was forced to mention Bud Lite by name. That was just the beer that was provided for the celebration.

I hope you could enjoy the cup parade/celebration. That had players chugging Bud Lite in the streets with kids around.

I think you’re wrong. He DID mention Bud Lite by name. I think it was a contractual obligation for the players to be seen drinking Bud Lite in the post game.

I don’t care if they drink a beer or champagne or whatever. I don’t mind if they do a paid advertisement. What I don’t like is the “influencer” marketing where it’s meant to be sneaky. I also think that type of stuff is a stronger example on impressionable youth. I just don’t think the NHL should be getting involved with that type of marketing.

 

[BlueMed]

Enjoy.

 

[TheDizee]

Winter Classic hits new low in New Year's Eve slot

NHL Winter Classic viewership hit a record-low on its New Year's Eve date, as fewer than one million watched the Blackhawks lose to the Blues.

www.sportsmediawatch.com

damn, chance the rapper didnt bring in new viewers????

 

[BlueSeal]

Winter Classic hits new low in New Year's Eve slot

NHL Winter Classic viewership hit a record-low on its New Year's Eve date, as fewer than one million watched the Blackhawks lose to the Blues.

www.sportsmediawatch.com

damn, chance the rapper didnt bring in new viewers????

Chief Keef must be a Blues fan lol.

 

[Reality Czech]

Chief Keef must be a Blues fan lol.

While I'm not surprised the ratings were low, won't they need to recalculate how ratings are done in the future? For example, I watched on Max because the house I was at didn't have traditional cable. This article specifically says it only includes viewers on TNT and TruTV.

 

[Majorityof1]

While I'm not surprised the ratings were low, won't they need to recalculate how ratings are done in the future? For example, I watched on Max because the house I was at didn't have traditional cable. This article specifically says it only includes viewers on TNT and TruTV.

It was on NY Eve not day, which not everyone gets off. It was early, before 5 for the time zones of the teams playing. It was between 2 non-playoff teams. It got ugly early, so Hawks fan's coming home from work at 5 and checking the score could have noped out. It was also streamed as you stated. They should gave expected lower ratings.

 

[BlueSeal]

While I'm not surprised the ratings were low, won't they need to recalculate how ratings are done in the future? For example, I watched on Max because the house I was at didn't have traditional cable. This article specifically says it only includes viewers on TNT and TruTV.

The NHL needs to decide are they catering to only their audience or are they trying to bring in new fans? If its the later, the games need to be free or easily accessible and it needs a vast latitude. You're not making money off the broadcast, that's the advertising tool, you're making money at the gate, with merchandise and other NHL branded tangible and non-tangible items for retail.

80's cartoons were publically (read: free) broadcasted 30 minute ads for toys and look how much revenue that streamed not just from toys even decades after those shows went off the air.

But I'm an idiot, what do I know?

 

[Xerloris]

Winter Classic hits new low in New Year's Eve slot

NHL Winter Classic viewership hit a record-low on its New Year's Eve date, as fewer than one million watched the Blackhawks lose to the Blues.

www.sportsmediawatch.com

damn, chance the rapper didnt bring in new viewers????

Something something demographic.

 

[BlueSeal]

Something something demographic.

Look, whatever agency the NHL hired to set this up has no idea about that demographic or rap in general if your go-to guy is Chance the Rapper. This ain't against him, it's just... the bigger the name, the bigger the draw. I get the activism part because Chance is really big on that level in Chicago but the whole purpose of televising it is to help extend the viewer/fanbase.

 

[joe galiba]

Look, whatever agency the NHL hired to set this up has no idea about that demographic or rap in general if your go-to guy is Chance the Rapper. This ain't against him, it's just... the bigger the name, the bigger the draw.

That is No-Chance-I Will-Listen-to-Him the Rapper

 

[Majorityof1]

Look, whatever agency the NHL hired to set this up has no idea about that demographic or rap in general if your go-to guy is Chance the Rapper. This ain't against him, it's just... the bigger the name, the bigger the draw. I get the activism part because Chance is really big on that level in Chicago but the whole purpose of televising it is to help extend the viewer/fanbase.

There are very few artists that would drive viewership of a hockey game for a 5 minute performance. It's not like this is the super bowl halftime show. They had Smashing Pumpkins. Nobody is saying that is the wrong demo and blaming them.

The first intermission 5 minute musical interlude was not the issue. The crappy teams, crappy timing, increased competition from expanded college football and novelty of the outdoor games wearing off were the issues.

It's not like the NHL hung the marketing campaign on Chance. I didn't know he'd be there until he was. And it makes some kind of sense. He has worked with the NHL before as his Lazlo character interviewing players for little ad spots. He can reach a new fanbase. It's not going to drive a ton of views but who could they gave gotten that would. Taylor Swift ain't doing a hockey intermission on TNT.

 

[Brian39]

The NHL needs to decide are they catering to only their audience or are they trying to bring in new fans? If its the later, the games need to be free or easily accessible and it needs a vast latitude. You're not making money off the broadcast, that's the advertising tool, you're making money at the gate, with merchandise and other NHL branded tangible and non-tangible items for retail.

80's cartoons were publically (read: free) broadcasted 30 minute ads for toys and look how much revenue that streamed not just from toys even decades after those shows went off the air.

But I'm an idiot, what do I know?

The NHL is making a boatload of money by selling the rights to the broadcast. And the business model that drives those massive values is based on the rights holder putting the broadcast behind a paywall.

The NHL gets $225M per year from TNT. They get $400M a year from ESPN. $400M from Sportsnet. That's $1B in annual revenue from the national TV deals, which is about 15% of all HRR. Then each of the 32 teams generates individual revenue from their own regional deal (or advertising/subscription revenue for the few that offer a direct-to-consumer service). These numbers aren't public like the national deals, but every article I've seen about the topic says that about 12% of HRR is from local media rights. Together, that is more than a quarter of all league revenue coming from the broadcasts (about $1.75B per year).

The NHL is a gate driven league, but it is absolutely not true that they are not making money off the broadcasts. They make a ton of money off the broadcasts. Additionally, most buildings around the league are pretty damn full. The advertising *as it relates to getting people to go spend money at a game* is working. I'm not sold that passing up hundreds of millions (or more) of revenue in broadcast rights to make the broadcasts more accessible will actually translate in a concurrent uptick in ticket/merch sales. I also don't buy that the Winter Classic would create new fans if it was available over the air.

The NHL has plenty of issues and marketing is one of them. But not everything is a mistake. The Winter Classic is a middling TV product because the sightlines suck and the level of play is bad. It is 100% about the spectacle, which we've now seen a couple dozen times. It is amazing in person and it's fun on TV when your team is involved, but I don't think the NHL loses anything by selling it to a cable partner instead of making sure it is available for free.

 

[Reality Czech]

The NHL needs to decide are they catering to only their audience or are they trying to bring in new fans? If its the later, the games need to be free or easily accessible and it needs a vast latitude. You're not making money off the broadcast, that's the advertising tool, you're making money at the gate, with merchandise and other NHL branded tangible and non-tangible items for retail.

80's cartoons were publically (read: free) broadcasted 30 minute ads for toys and look how much revenue that streamed not just from toys even decades after those shows went off the air.

But I'm an idiot, what do I know?

I agree with everything you said (except the last part lol)

I'm guessing nothing will change until the current TV deals are up, but if they are smart they will shift their focus to make hockey more accessible rather than catering to dying cable networks. A lot more people will be getting away from cable in the near future so they better be ready to adjust to that reality.

 

[Majorityof1]

I agree with everything you said (except the last part lol)

I'm guessing nothing will change until the current TV deals are up, but if they are smart they will shift their focus to make hockey more accessible rather than catering to dying cable networks. A lot more people will be getting away from cable in the near future so they better be ready to adjust to that reality.

You said you watched it on Max. So you didn't need cable. Do you want it on Bunny Ears? Do you want NHL to create a free stream service just for the WC? I'm not sure what the ask is. I guess they can put it on Pluto or some other free streaming service, but I am not sure that would increase viewership without TNT pushing it.

 

[Xerloris]

crappy timing

What was wrong with the timing? I liked it being at night so we could actually see. Day time outdoor games are pure f***ing trash.

 

[BlueSeal]

MSN

 

[Xerloris]

MSN

I mean was it because of NYE or because of 2 teams that have now been in multiple WC's against each other and both just happen to suck balls?

 

[BlueSeal]

I mean was it because of NYE or because of 2 teams that have now been in multiple WC's against each other and both just happen to suck balls?

I've been thinking about this. I think its a mix of both and that the NHL is not on the level to host anything on a holiday. No one cares enough for that unless its regional.

 

[TheDizee]

I think you can fix this issue rather easily. Make the All Star game the winter classic outdoor game. Then, book actual talent that your viewers consume.

You likely wouldnt have all star game sitouts anymore, you could introduce some cool new things to the skills competition and it would be a nice boost to both the WC & ASG.

Whoever thought Chance the Rapper was a good idea should be fired ASAP and I would have done it as soon as that idea was pitched. Awful idea.

And maybe every few years you have a second outdoor game featuring the elite teams of the league.

 

[BadgersandBlues]

Calm the f*** down over Chance the Rapper. It makes you look stupid, and frankly at this point comes across slightly racist. The NHL always tries to showcase talent that is local to the area, it's why Nelly, Charles Glenn and someone named Nathanial Rateliff were the acts in 2017 when St. Louis hosted. Was Nelly nationally relevant in 2017? Was Glenn ever nationally relevant? I literally had no f***ing idea who Nathanial Rateliff & The Nightsweats were until they came out on stage.

The whole point of the Winter Classic is a celebration of both hockey and the city that hosts it. I'm a huge hip-hop/rap fan, and Chance the Rapper, while not my cup of tea, has done a crap ton for Chicago from a humanitarian perspective, and is a local guy.

At least bitch and moan about the Smashing Pumpkins, who sounded f***ing terrible, as much as you have about Chance.

 

[Xerloris]

Calm the f*** down over Chance the Rapper. It makes you look stupid, and frankly at this point comes across slightly racist. The NHL always tries to showcase talent that is local to the area, it's why Nelly, Charles Glenn and someone named Nathanial Rateliff were the acts in 2017 when St. Louis hosted. Was Nelly nationally relevant in 2017? Was Glenn ever nationally relevant? I literally had no f***ing idea who Nathanial Rateliff & The Nightsweats were until they came out on stage.

The whole point of the Winter Classic is a celebration of both hockey and the city that hosts it. I'm a huge hip-hop/rap fan, and Chance the Rapper, while not my cup of tea, has done a crap ton for Chicago from a humanitarian perspective, and is a local guy.

At least bitch and moan about the Smashing Pumpkins, who sounded f***ing terrible, as much as you have about Chance.

Ah yes the old if you dare criticize a minority for any reason it's muh racism. get the f*** over it, the dude was hilarious on SNL and that's probably the only reason they booked him for an NHL game, because his skit of not knowing dick about hockey was funny.

 

[TheDizee]

Calm the f*** down over Chance the Rapper. It makes you look stupid, and frankly at this point comes across slightly racist. The NHL always tries to showcase talent that is local to the area, it's why Nelly, Charles Glenn and someone named Nathanial Rateliff were the acts in 2017 when St. Louis hosted. Was Nelly nationally relevant in 2017? Was Glenn ever nationally relevant? I literally had no f***ing idea who Nathanial Rateliff & The Nightsweats were until they came out on stage.

The whole point of the Winter Classic is a celebration of both hockey and the city that hosts it. I'm a huge hip-hop/rap fan, and Chance the Rapper, while not my cup of tea, has done a crap ton for Chicago from a humanitarian perspective, and is a local guy.

At least bitch and moan about the Smashing Pumpkins, who sounded f***ing terrible, as much as you have about Chance.

Very interesting. I was at the 2017 game and I can assure you Nelly was nowhere near the ice singing during any intermission. Because if he was, I also would have called that out. It is no different than having Taylor Swift or Madonna come out there and sing, serves no purpose and brings in no new viewers to your sport.

But keep on saying the people who think bringing on "Chance the Rapper" was a idiotic decision is "racist" lmao. Numbers don't lie and hopefully the NHL and YOU can learn from this trainwreck.

 

[Xerloris]

Very interesting. I was at the 2017 game and I can assure you Nelly was nowhere near the ice singing during any intermission. Because if he was, I also would have called that out. It is no different than having Taylor Swift or Madonna come out there and sing, serves no purpose and brings in no new viewers to your sport.

But keep on saying the people who think bringing on "Chance the Rapper" was a idiotic decision is "racist" lmao. Numbers don't lie and hopefully the NHL and YOU can learn from this trainwreck.

Like, I can't think of a band off hand but If you have a home town band that are known to be huge hockey fans then I can see them being invited out to perform but that's not what this was.

 

[BadgersandBlues]

Very interesting. I was at the 2017 game and I can assure you Nelly was nowhere near the ice singing during any intermission. Because if he was, I also would have called that out. It is no different than having Taylor Swift or Madonna come out there and sing, serves no purpose and brings in no new viewers to your sport.

But keep on saying the people who think bringing on "Chance the Rapper" was a idiotic decision is "racist" lmao. Numbers don't lie and hopefully the NHL and YOU can learn from this trainwreck.

He sang before the national anthem.

Also, yes, it is pretty obvious since you're singling out Chance and not Smashing Pumpkins who were frankly worse.

Ah yes the old if you dare criticize a minority for any reason it's muh racism. get the f*** over it, the dude was hilarious on SNL and that's probably the only reason they booked him for an NHL game, because his skit of not knowing dick about hockey was funny.

I have no problem criticizing a minority. I thought Chance was boring too. But it's the fact that he's continually harped on that decision when there are plenty of other things to criticize that seems......pretty targeted. In fact his last 5-6 posts were all about Chance. As I said, comes off as -slightly- racist.