Wouldn't be surprised if TSN picked up Ron in a hypothetical HNIC to TSN move. People are badly underestimating his national appeal to an older demographic who still consumes hockey on cable in a more casual fashion. That's a big big demographic right there. You can commission as many focus groups as you like, Ron off HNIC = national outrage in Canada. Guaranteed. Not how you want to start some new monster national rights deal. If you don't believe me, ask Rogers.
Rumor: Big Changes Coming to HNIC Panel
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joestevens29
Registered User
- Apr 30, 2009
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That's actually a very interesting point. I'm not as big of a fan of him as I once was, but he's not like some of the others out there that just irk me.
Sempiternal
Registered User
- Jul 5, 2014
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I like Kevin Bieksa and Kelly Hrudey. I don't care for the rest. Ron McLean should just be an Olympics guy. He's too long winded for the new generation.
Maffew
Born. Raised. Habs. Always.
I don't remember this, what happened? Share footage?
KingPuckChoo
Go kinGs Go !
- Jun 24, 2007
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Rumor: Big Changes Coming to HNIC Panel
an all female panel?
Canadian Finn
Oskee Wee Wee
Voight
#winning
You'd see the biggest viewership drop in TV history.
(I dont mean for that to come off as misogynist but it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see how that would turn a lot of people away)
VanillaCoke
Registered User
- Oct 30, 2013
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This was true a decade ago, it's not anymore. Ron is well past his expiration date and it's dragging down the overall broadcast, the vibe is much improved with David Amber, and he's as safe and boring as it gets.
The older demographic that may still appreciate McLean is overshadowed by the demographic of everyone else, who are all extremely tired of him and his sad monotonous rambling.
Keep him for hometown hockey once a week if necessary, but the HNIC panel is in dire need of changes, nobody even watches it anymore bc it's unbearable.
(Strombo got a raw deal and it wasn't the right time for his new approach, he'd probably be much more successful and we'll recieved now, but no reason to bring him back there's other options)
Respectfully disagree. You're approaching this from a highly logical point of view, which I appreciate, that's normally how I'd view things.
It's not logical. It's Canadiana, like the Hip, and health care, maple syrup and beavers. Ron off HNIC is an affront to Canada's national pride. Canada will lose their mind. Front page national news. You cannot do it gracefully.
Don Cherry lasted 15 more years then he should have in a modern national broadcast. I loved Don, I'd watch him tomorrow, but there was plenty of excuses to move on before they finally had no choice. Why? Because Hip, Syrup, Beavers, and frigging Coaches Corner with Don on the first intermission of HNIC.
I'm telling you, it's the same thing. Moving off Ron is not really an option unless he Bob Cole's his way gracefully, that being with his approval, it's not there yet.
He's not back next year because Rogers thinks they get better ratings moving off him. Rogers is worth like 40 billion, they've done the math. Losing Ron is a losing businesss move for HNIC. It'll change, it is changing, but not enough yet.
You cannot evaluate HNIC from a purely business point of view. It's way more then that.
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Voight
#winning
Cherry being unceremoniously removed from HNIC was a national tragedy. Man was literally voted one of the greatest Canadians of all time.
PC police made it hard to see, but a lot of people were outraged.
BLNY
Registered User
I commented on Strombo pages ago. Feel the same. I think he indirectly paved the road for Hometown hockey. His ability to relate to anyone and create an environment for a great interview would make him a great fit for HTH or After Hours.
Amber is definitely safe. He seems like a nice enough guy, but he's as dry as the Sahara. He can certainly play the straight man to someone with charisma, but there's got to be a way to strike a balance between him and what MacLean has become.
Ron's just trying way, way, too hard to write puns and be funny. I also agree that the idea of a revolt over his departure is ten years gone. There's plenty of young people watching the game on tv - especially on Saturdays. They aren't watching it for him.
Hated it. Miss Coach’s Corner. Thought it was misunderstood but also can see there was no getting off it.
Sorry, this is cringeworthy.
A national tragedy, LOL. Yes, a lot of people were outraged by Chery's firing and MacLean. And we are still hearing about it, aren't we?
As for being voted one of the Greatest Canadians of all time, that was embarrassing. Also, absurd, a farce, ridiculous.
"Contemporary icons chosen may be reflective of a youthful voting demographic, as the production was family oriented, or there was unwillingness or confusion distinguishing modern popularity with national historic significance among the participants of all ages.[2] In particular, Don Cherry's inclusion in the top 10 upset many Canadians, especially considering it forced out figures they believe more worthy like Louis Riel and Jean Vanier.[2]"
(Vanier is referenced from the article. Not my choice.).
and the old generation ...... believe me
- Feb 24, 2015
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Ron MacLean has no currency with any generation afaic.
His contemporaries have zero respect for his impersonation as summer footwear ( Flip flop )
And I seriously doubt the younger crowd finds him relevant.
Maybe some crazy cat lady in Estevan tunes in for him but that’s not a great demographic.
You might gather I don’t like him.
His contemporaries have zero respect for his impersonation as summer footwear ( Flip flop )
And I seriously doubt the younger crowd finds him relevant.
Maybe some crazy cat lady in Estevan tunes in for him but that’s not a great demographic.
You might gather I don’t like him.
krutovsdonut
eeyore
- Sep 25, 2016
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as an old generation myself i think many olds would agree that mclean has no useful insight into the game. he never has. his best moments were as a straight man and minder for cherry. on his own he's mildly successful as a relatably bland clueless everyman host, but he's not good at it and the fact he's full of himself comes across a little too easily for him to be beloved by most.
they do have a problem that they have not developed an "everyman" or "everywoman" host to replace him. amber is good but a bit too knowledgable to bond with joe six pack. they need someone dumber or someone funny. bieksa could maybe do it with a little more seasoning.
John Price
Gang Gang
- Sep 19, 2008
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bert
Registered User
It's insane they are losing the only good person on the panel. Roger's is so bad at this its remarkable.
I hate the Hip health care system. Maple syrup and beavers are good.
An all new female broadcast team would be great. Maybe keep Bieksa and Amber. Maybe.
An all new female broadcast team would be great. Maybe keep Bieksa and Amber. Maybe.
Fight4yourRight
“Chuck’s my guy”
- Dec 18, 2017
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Setting aside the fact Cherry is like 130 years old (he was tolerable when he stayed on hockey topics and could actually formulate a sentence decades ago), the optics alone of bringing him back now, despite the appeal to the mouth breathers, would be horrific.
He is too old at this point. The mouth breathers? You're so much better than everyone else right?
John Price
Gang Gang
- Sep 19, 2008
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HockeyVirus
Woll stan.
- Nov 15, 2020
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The appeal must be based off of nostalgia and nothing more. I grew up watching coaches corner so I have some nostalgia for him, but what he is today it only takes a few moments of watching a panel for anyone to see the nostaliga melt away.
He played the straight man to Cherry's crazy and it worked because it was hilarious. Now he plays the straight man to a panel of uptight corporate boring analysts and it's like watching paint dry being interjected with watching a pot come to a boil.
