Leafs Off HNIC/CBC for first time since 1972 and ACC attendance

[Daisy Jane]

I remember Stephen mentioning this on Saturday, and I didn't really get the big 'whatever' about it, mostly because I thought, if this was last year, this could be the regional game. (which when Bob Cole calls Leafs games lately, that's exactly what it is - the "Maple Leafs Region Only Game."

And I thought that with all the games being spread, being 'shunted' basically meant the Leafs were on Sportsnet as the regional game.

But I didn't know this was the first time since 1972 this has happened.

In a way, though, I think it's a good thing. I know there was a big fear that "oh my goodness, what will Rogers do, will they allow the Leafs to rebuild." well, now we know what they'll do. Not show them on the flag show, they'll put them on the regional time slot.

Though, it's just another "wow". in this Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Season.

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[Swervin81]

The fading in relevance is a good thing. Forces a change in philosophy. Thankfully, it appears as if this change is coming.

 

[613Leafer]

The reason I like the Leafs has nothing to do with them being the most financially successful and arguably the most popular in Canada.

So them getting pushed off HNIC doesn't bother or affect me one bit. In fact, I'd prefer if the media did a better job covering the other teams more thoroughly. Plenty of interesting storylines in the NHL, especially Canadian teams fighting for playoff spots. Nothing wrong with giving them the spotlight.

 

[TheTotalPackage]

I'm curious to know how this affected the ratings.

 

[ACC1224]

Does this mean people with antenna only couldn't watch?

 

[Erdinger]

It's bad enough we have to watch this horrible team. No point forcing other fanbases to.

 

[Deebo]

Does this mean people with antenna only couldn't watch?

Yes.

 

[Mess]

I'm curious to know how this affected the ratings.

This was done for rating purposes.

The Leafs TV ratings are falling like a stone this year and so they took them off of CBC and moved higher rating teams into their position in this case Montreal.

 

[theaub]

Weird that for all the times to push them off it was against Ottawa, a team that clearly deserves to be on CBC at this point...

 

[-DeMo-]

I remember Stephen mentioning this on Saturday, and I didn't really get the big 'whatever' about it, mostly because I thought, if this was last year, this could be the regional game. (which when Bob Cole calls Leafs games lately, that's exactly what it is - the "Maple Leafs Region Only Game."

And I thought that with all the games being spread, being 'shunted' basically meant the Leafs were on Sportsnet as the regional game.

But I didn't know this was the first time since 1972 this has happened.

In a way, though, I think it's a good thing. I know there was a big fear that "oh my goodness, what will Rogers do, will they allow the Leafs to rebuild." well, now we know what they'll do. Not show them on the flag show, they'll put them on the regional time slot.

Though, it's just another "wow". in this Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Season.

I thought every game shown on Saturday was national broadcasts just that CBC would get the highest profile game. so if the Leafs will be on Sportsnet or City it will still be a national broadcast?

 

[Drew311]

Good. Leafs games shouldn't even be televised for the remainder of the season. It's embarrassing for the organization and fans.

 

[Daisy Jane]

I thought every game shown on Saturday was national broadcasts just that CBC would get the highest profile game. so if the Leafs will be on Sportsnet or City it will still be a national broadcast?

(shrug) I don't know - I still don't get how Rogers is doing everything. I just assumed that in this instance - being on Sportsnet = "regional-esque" (ie - not a lot of eyeballs).

 

[Gary Batman]

Pretty pathetic of Rogers to take off the team they own, whose player says "We are giving 100% effort" from CBC.

 

[sgupca]

I'm curious to know how this affected the ratings.

It wont this year.

Leaf viewers have been down by a huge margain this year. Heck, even one saturday night the leafs had less viewers than the curling matchup on TSN - which was a first in HNIC history.

The leafs sadly are a dying generation in Canada, and most of our children will grow up to be fans of other Canadian/American teams.

I predict within 5 years the leafs wont be "Canada's team anymore". It seems as if the 'long-time loyal leaf fans' have simply had enough.

 

[Deebo]

(shrug) I don't know - I still don't get how Rogers is doing everything. I just assumed that in this instance - being on Sportsnet = "regional-esque" (ie - not a lot of eyeballs).

You just need to have a cable package with that channel but there are no regional restrictions.

 

[Mess]

I thought every game shown on Saturday was national broadcasts just that CBC would get the highest profile game. so if the Leafs will be on Sportsnet or City it will still be a national broadcast?

Everybody gets CBC as part of their Canadian TV standard package, but not everybody orders the sports package that includes Sportsnet.

Moving the Leafs off of CBC and potentially into a smaller viewing audience really isn't influenced by broadcast nationally reasoning as all teams on Saturday are national as you stated.

 

[Jets 31]

It is about time that some of the more exciting , and relevant canadian teams get a bigger audience !!! But it will just mean we see Habs all the time , not Winnipeg or Calgary !!!

 

[Maple Leaf]

It is about time that some of the more exciting , and relevant canadian teams get a bigger audience !!! But it will just mean we see Habs all the time , not Winnipeg or Calgary !!!

nah screw them

leafs all day everyday

for all time

 

[Cor]

If being off CBC/HNIC means we get Bob Cole, I am perfectly fine with this

 

[Budsfan]

I'm curious to know how this affected the ratings.

I think this may be more to the point of why.

It's been rumoured that the viewers watching hockey has gone down this season and likely why Rogers Sportsnet carried the the Game.

CBC offers regional coverage of the Canadian teams and would restrict the Leafs to the Toronto area only and with SN carrying the Leafs, it was viewed on all their coverage areas coast to coast and the Leafs have the largest fan base across Canada, so ratings would likely be much higher than they would be on the CBC

 

[CalgaryLeaf*]

It wont this year.

Leaf viewers have been down by a huge margain this year. Heck, even one saturday night the leafs had less viewers than the curling matchup on TSN - which was a first in HNIC history.

The leafs sadly are a dying generation in Canada, and most of our children will grow up to be fans of other Canadian/American teams.

I predict within 5 years the leafs wont be "Canada's team anymore". It seems as if the 'long-time loyal leaf fans' have simply had enough.

Yeah, nation wide I agree with you...Currently the Leafs are wildy popular in every Canadian NHL arena you visit...Most games 40% of the crowd try to drown out the home team...That popularity will fade with the next generation.

That said when the Leafs were playing Boston in the playoffs the square (whatever they call it) in DT Toronto was packed with young devoted fans...They will always be hugely popular in Ontario which has the biggest population base in all of Canada.

 

[TheOtherSide]

It wont this year.

Leaf viewers have been down by a huge margain this year. Heck, even one saturday night the leafs had less viewers than the curling matchup on TSN - which was a first in HNIC history.

The leafs sadly are a dying generation in Canada, and most of our children will grow up to be fans of other Canadian/American teams.

I predict within 5 years the leafs wont be "Canada's team anymore". It seems as if the 'long-time loyal leaf fans' have simply had enough.

The Leafs survived the Ballard era, im sure they will recover from this. We just need to find this era's Wendel Clark for people to rally around.

 

[Brewsky]

I didn't really care, at first I was confused thinking "Do the Leafs play tonight or not" Then just went to Sportsnet and took a swig of beer for the working man.

 

[Rayzorexe]

Just heard about it on Leafs Lunch (Catching up on the 1st hour). "First time the Leafs were not on HNIC on a night they played since 1972"

 

[Daisy Jane]

The Leafs survived the Ballard era, im sure they will recover from this. We just need to find this era's Wendel Clark for people to rally around.

i think his name is Conner McDavid