NHL How the new TV deal with ESPN will affect watching the Bruins in the future

[Fenway]

I feel really really bad for NBC, they were a great TV partner for so many years I know the NHL has always a thing for ESPN and they were happy with how ESPN ran the streaming side of things so I understand them wanting to continue that but to give NBC a cold shoulder when they wanted to include Peacock since building up Peacock is a extremely high priority for the company. My understanding was ESPN was not willing to share any streaming rights and they consider Peacock a major competitor but it is still cold the NHL just went long with that.

I really do hope NBC ends up with TV package "B" but it would be awful to accept the scraps that Disney does not want and nearly impossible to try to spin it around like a good thing. NBC made it clear Peacock was now #1 and that's what they were spending their money on and it seems clear Peacock would not be apart of this deal. The fact NBC took the 200 million/year they were spending on the NHL shortly after they announced NBC SN was shutting down and used it all to overpay for the WWE PPV deal to put them on Peacock (Another subject but the math there suggests it was a horrible horrible deal but they were willing to spend anything to improve Peacock) tells me they don't expect to keep the NHL. FOX can take this contract and make it sound like a great pickup, NBC would look like desperate fools giving in now.

NBC took the NHL back in 2006 with no rights fee. The NHL and the network would split any profit 50-50. Ratings were not great that first year and the SCF involved a sunbelt team and Edmonton.



2007 was even worse.



Game 3 in Ottawa scored the LOWEST primetime rating in the history of NBC going back to 1948. There were more viewers watching in Buffalo than Los Angeles which is the Ducks home market. Still, NBC stuck with it and was rewarded in 2008 and 2009 with 2 great SCF's between Detroit and Pittsburgh. Then in came 2010 Chicago and 2011 Boston and NBC signed on for 10 more years and paid for the rights.

 

[Jdavidev]

Losing WWE network sucks, now NHL.tv? The two most reliable and well-built streaming services I've used? To be packaged within another app? Great, just great. The consumer loses again.

I've had so many problems with the NBC app (signing in every couple weeks, sometimes the games not on the main page, games not playing on Roku), gonna suck big time.

I will only like this if I get to drop my satellite completely (which I haven't been able to do yet to get playoffs and nationally televised games).

 

[Aeroforce]

I've been getting the Center Ice package for many years from DirecTV. Does this new deal end the Center Ice package? I don't know how to "stream" anything. Where do you even begin to find these channels. Are they even called channels? Man, I feel like a dinosaur.

I'm not crazy about streaming anything. I hear financial sermons on a radio I leave playing, and in recent times one of the first suggestions for people struggling to stay ahead is to minimize subscriptions. Sure, none of them sound like a lot; but multiple $6-$10 a month adds up.

And what about the months hockey isn't played? The credit card gets dinged either way.

I'm not a tv/movie person, but I do realize streaming has worked for both. I remember when Netflix announced they were abandoning mailing DVD's. Many said they'd never go along with it; but it proved to be a wise decision.

I am a big music guy, but will not jump on the streaming bandwagon. For starters, I prefer the uncompressed sound quality of CDs. Secondly, the majority of music I'd be paying for access to, I will never listen to, including most of what's 'hip' nowadays. It's bad enough hearing some of it between puck drops.

The other thing is many musicians have been very vocal about the terrible payouts from streaming.

But the NHL players won't have that problem, thanks to Gary Bettman. And I imagine owners and maybe even some players love him. Global pandemic shuts the world down for a year+ and franchise values will skyrocket and the cap could follow.

As for finding the games, I will say Comcast's voice command is superb. I basically hit a button and say "Boston Bruins" and it finds it.

 

[Fenway]

I asked somebody at Comcast about Center Ice for next year and he replied

We currently are provided NHL Center Ice from BAMTECH and that relationship will expire at the end of this regular season. BAMTECH is now majority-owned by Disney. We believe starting next year the service will only be provided via the Hulu app that is installed on the X1 platform.

I was also told today ESPN will take control of NHL.com before the start of next season and NHL Network will be relocated to Bristol, CT.

 

[Fenway]

 

[MrMars]

I asked somebody at Comcast about Center Ice for next year and he replied

We currently are provided NHL Center Ice from BAMTECH and that relationship will expire at the end of this regular season. BAMTECH is now majority-owned by Disney. We believe starting next year the service will only be provided via the Hulu app that is installed on the X1 platform.

I was also told today ESPN will take control of NHL.com before the start of next season and NHL Network will be relocated to Bristol, CT.

Indemand is the company that distributes Center Ice to cable companies, DSS (Disney Streaming Services, formally BamTech) distributes NHL.TV, the linear TV channels Xfinity carries comes from Indemand, however there was not enough TV bandwidth on the Comcast system to carry the full 14 channel MLB/NHL mux in HD (same for the 10 NBA/MLS) so they only carry 2 HD and the rest are SD only. Instead of upgrading/making changes to their TV backbone they used the NHL.TV included loophole and pull NHL.TV feeds over IP on the X1 box. If you did not have X1 you were stuck with just 2 HD channels. I believe those are the feeds your friend is talking about. If you are watching CI in HD on a X1 receiver you are actually just watching the NHL.TV stream not the linear channels. Makes sense that contract would be up as the NHL streaming deal with Disney was going to expire after this season. I cannot see Disney letting Comcast use those feeds next season to help their CI package since they would prefer people subscribe to ESPN+ instead. So Xfinty will have to do figure something out or people are going to go back to just receiving 2 HD Center Ice channels.

I can't stress enough NHL Center Ice is not effected by this Disney deal, the press release was very clear that the out of market rights being picked up were streaming and "digital" the words NHL Center Ice, out of market linear television, etc were not mentioned in the press release or media call because they were not part of the deal. Center Ice brings in quite a bit of money, more then NHL.TV since commercial sales are extremely expensive. If ESPN wanted those rights it would cost them and they certainly would of mentioned it in the press release and media call. I had a friend double check with Disney and they confirmed NO changes to Center Ice. They also confirmed the 75 exclusive ESPN+ games will NOT be in Center Ice but that seemed obvious to me.

I did find this also confirming that I can actually link to


As for the NHL Network moving to Bristol, I would be surprised. The original streaming deal was with MLB Advanced Media (before Disney took over) which is why the NHL Network is ran out of the MLB Network in Secaucus. That deal is ending but Bettman made it clear in the media call that they were moving NHL Network away from Disney and bringing it in house, he did not mention where the new network HQ would be but Bristol would be the opposite of moving away from Disney but it is possible that a separate deal is worked out maybe with whoever ends up with TV Package "B"

 

[Fenway]

Your Disney Bundle subscription is about to renew at a new price

The price of The Disney Bundle will increase on March 26, 2021 from $13.99. We wanted to remind you that your Disney Bundle subscription will automatically renew at the new monthly price of $13.99 on your first billing date on or after March 26. Your payment method on file will be charged unless you cancel your subscription before then.

To cancel your subscription, either call 888‑905‑7888, or go to account settings, select the subscription you would like to cancel and click "Cancel Subscription".

Check out some of the best movies, shows, and sports coming soon to Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+.

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

 

[crimsonace]

As an NHL.tv subscriber, I welcome ESPN+ for no other reason that it's half the price. Right now, ESPN+ is $60/year, but I anticipate that will go up with the full NHL streaming package (NHL.tv is $145/year).

I've really enjoyed NBC's production and broadcast and the fact that it has long treated the NHL as a major property (and can say the same with IndyCar). If Fox takes over the secondary rights, it has not been bashful about using broadcast TV rather liberally for games - in addition to FS1 - and thinking outside the box when it comes to hiring staff. NBC is very familiar and, IMO, produces an outstanding broadcast.

 

[Dr Hook]

So this brings up another question I am wondering about- since there is going to be a "B" package for a second network, Fox maybe?, will those games also not be in the ESPN+ like in-market games? So I will need to have a Fox channel to watch the Bruins if they are carried on that?

 

[McGarnagle]

The games being in streaming services are going to kill the GDTs. There's so much delay and lag that someone will post that someone scored 3 minutes before someone else sees it happen.

 

[EvilElf63]

I'm so confused. I am an out of market nhl.tv Bruins only customer. (Which sucks particularly this year, since national, nyr, nyi, njd, and buf games are all blacked out where I live: epic fail). If nhl.tv ceases to exist next year and gets replaced by espn/hulu like Fenway mentioned, and I end up buying espn+ do those blackouts still exist? Sorry if this is a dumb question.
While I'm asking dumb questions, here's another: if I buy espn+, it will have the NESN feed for most games like nhl.tv has now?

 

[Fenway]

The real fun will be the first night the Bruins are exclusive to ESPN+ and it is a safe bet it will be a game against a major rival.

That GDT will be a horror show as everyone will seeing the action anywhere from 30 seconds to 3 minutes behind.

 

[PatriceBergeronFan]

The real fun will be the first night the Bruins are exclusive to ESPN+ and it is a safe bet it will be a game against a major rival.

That GDT will be a horror show as everyone will seeing the action anywhere from 30 seconds to 3 minutes behind.

I imagine a number of fans will be unable to watch as well.

 

[Bruinaura]

This entire thread is making my brain hurt.

Bundles, subscriptions, cable providers, in market vs out of market, playoffs.

I just want to watch the stupid game. I don't want to spend half my life figuring out the financial, not to mention technical, gymnastics of all of it.

What a pain in the butt.

 

[Fenway]

This entire thread is making my brain hurt.

Bundles, subscriptions, cable providers, in market vs out of market, playoffs.

I just want to watch the stupid game. I don't want to spend half my life figuring out the financial, not to mention technical, gymnastics of all of it.

What a pain in the butt.

 

[veganbruin]

I generally don’t like streaming hockey. My internet is good not great, but every time I use the NBCsports app the puck skips around a bit snd it’s harder to follow than the hardwired cable connection. Football is a little easier as it is a much slow game.

 

[rfournier103]

I don’t see myself paying any subscriptions. The NHL in its infinite wisdom keeps trying to alienate fans in order to win over new fans. Great business model.

Disney’s already on my shit list for a couple of reasons, so I hope this venture bombs.

 

[Johnny4778]

It's like anything new, there will always be those who are resistant to change, and,to be fair, also resentful of new ways that are come up with to get into your wallet. Streaming is the future. I was not a huge fan of going streaming, but the reliability of my high speed internet and the cost savings vs either satellite or cable sealed the deal. I am spending a little over half of what I used to on TV and the only thing I don't have that I really care about even a little is not being able to watch Stars games- and I could probably do that if I added FSSW.

I am in northwest Arkansas and in the Dallas market as well. Entire concept of blackouts doesn’t work at least not at putting more seats in a arena... just ask the Chicago Blackhawks. My frustration is what subscriptions will I need to be able to watch all bruins games. At one point I needed NHL.tv, Hulu live (NBC), and Sling (NHL-N) in order to get all the games... I personally would pay more for it to be simple and on one streaming device. If it’s too complex maybe it’s time to just take a step back... I don’t know a single person that watches hockey in my area .. maybe I need to join them...put up a digital antenna and my sports watching will just be the HOGS!

 

[Jdavidev]

I am in northwest Arkansas and in the Dallas market as well. Entire concept of blackouts doesn’t work at least not at putting more seats in a arena... just ask the Chicago Blackhawks. My frustration is what subscriptions will I need to be able to watch all bruins games. At one point I needed NHL.tv, Hulu live (NBC), and Sling (NHL-N) in order to get all the games... I personally would pay more for it to be simple and on one streaming device. If it’s too complex maybe it’s time to just take a step back... I don’t know a single person that watches hockey in my area .. maybe I need to join them...put up a digital antenna and my sports watching will just be the HOGS!

I just want one place I can go to get all the games, no blackouts. I'd pay a lot for that if I didn't have to look ahead at the schedule, figure out if I needed to schedule the DVR, fire up a seldom used app or go to the bar when they play the Kings.

I hope there is still an NHL.tv for replays after the fact, regardless of which holds the broadcast rights

 

[BTO]

ESPN+/Hulu

On a related note, Fenway, do you have any idea what the story is between NESN and Sportsnet in Canada (or Ontario)? I ask because almost every Bruin game is on SN up here, featuring the NESN telecast, including intermissions (I'm not complaining, just wondering!) And right now I'm watching the Marchand/Miller thing on SN.

I mean I guess because of the the Bos-TO rivalry there's a lot of interest in the Bruins in Ontario, but I'm just wondering if NESN and SN worked out some sort of deal or something? I mean I'm sitting up here in TO watching almost every Bruin NESN telecast on SN. It's great!

 

[Fenway]

On a related note, Fenway, do you have any idea what the story is between NESN and Sportsnet in Canada (or Ontario)? I ask because almost every Bruin game is on SN up here, featuring the NESN telecast, including intermissions (I'm not complaining, just wondering!) And right now I'm watching the Marchand/Miller thing on SN.

I mean I guess because of the the Bos-TO rivalry there's a lot of interest in the Bruins in Ontario, but I'm just wondering if NESN and SN worked out some sort of deal or something? I mean I'm sitting up here in TO watching almost every Bruin NESN telecast on SN. It's great!

Bruins are very popular in the Maritimes, Quebec and Ontario.

 

[The Hajj]

Thank you to all the folks who have posted so much information on the changes coming next year. I sincerely appreciate the assistance you are providing to older people like myself who are not up to speed on all this steaming stuff.

 

[CHRDANHUTCH]

Thank you to all the folks who have posted so much information on the changes coming next year. I sincerely appreciate the assistance you are providing to older people like myself who are not up to speed on all this steaming stuff.

not quite done yet....

the other piece of this deal will be announced in due time....

 

[Barnum]

This is a bad deal for the fans. Illegal streaming activity for NHL games is going to skyrocket.

Basically, this is what I did after fumbling around and paying out the ass for a few years. I was paying alot for NHL.TV but any game being shown on Premier TV (here in the UK) was blacked out on NHL.TV. So, I had to pay for that too (and it is expensive) to make sure I could see every Bruin game. Then another added cost to have my 2nd cable box turned on in the “so called” man cave and it added up to alot of bucks. Last season, I started illegal streaming and it’s saved alot without any issues and no f***s are given on my part.

 

[Fenway]

Basically, this is what I did after fumbling around and paying out the ass for a few years. I was paying alot for NHL.TV but any game being shown on Premier TV (here in the UK) was blacked out on NHL.TV. So, I had to pay for that too (and it is expensive) to make sure I could see every Bruin game. Then another added cost to have my 2nd cable box turned on in the “so called” man cave and it added up to alot of bucks. Last season, I started illegal streaming and it’s saved alot without any issues and no f***s are given on my part.

When BAMTECH took over NHL streaming in the US 5 years ago they were able to close down one well-known pirate site that was charging but since then the sites are everywhere. Some of them are horror shows with malware and some no issues at all.

There is even one site in Russia that somehow is a couple of seconds AHEAD of Xfinity boxes