Sportsnet frustration - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

Nels Stewart · 2005-11-03, 09:44 PM

What the heck is going on at Sportsnet? Their HD schedule is looking pretty thin these days; in fact, there's nothing listed after the NASCAR race on Nov. 6, no indication anywhere on their site as to whether they'll be carrying any NBA games in HD, no word yet on CHL hockey in HD, and why couldn't they make an effort to do tonight's AHL game from the ACC in HD. We already know they won't be producing any NHL games in HD because of the regional nature of their rights and the the HD channel is national. We already know they won't be doing any Raptors' home games in HD because it seems the pinheads who run the ACC are still stuck in the 1990s.

It is becoming extremely frustrating to be stuck on the sidelines as HD sports coverage explodes south of the border yet seems to be slipping backwards up here: two years ago, Sportsnet did all their Raptors home games in HD, now, nothing; Raptors TV HD is approved, yet won't be broadcasting any of their Raptors games in HD either; TSN is making a token effort with 27 NHL games in HD, yet they choose to show the SD feed of other games they have the rights to and are being produced for other markets in HD.

hoju_17 · 2005-11-04, 08:27 AM

I'm sure that doing an AHL game in HD is financially challenging. Especially when it's on vs. a Leafs game.

darrylr · 2005-11-04, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nels Stewart

... no indication anywhere on their site as to whether they'll be carrying any NBA games in HD, no word yet on CHL hockey in HD, and why couldn't they make an effort to do tonight's AHL game from the ACC in HD. .... .

I think what you are seeing is that they are going after the sports that actually draw a decent audience. Their numbers for the NBA, CHL, and AHL must be pretty tiny compared to the numbers they get for NHL hockey.

I guess the NBA season started the other day but I have not heard one thing about it. It goes to show you this is a hockey country and definately not an NBA hotbed.

-Darryl

asif9t9 · 2005-11-04, 11:47 AM

I could be wrong, but I think Raptors NBA TV has the rights to the NBA in Canada. I think Raptors TV cut a deal with Sportsnet last year, for Sportsnet to show all those NBA games (including HD games on Sportsnet HD).

But, since Raptors TV now has its own HD channel, they are keeping all NBA games to themselves this year. Maybe it's a smart play by MLSE. Leafs TV will get a bunch of subscribers this year because they have 12 Leaf games. And Raps TV will get a bunch of subs this year because they have all basketball.....more importantly...all HD basketball.

But I am only speculating.

guido · 2005-11-04, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asif9t9

I could be wrong, but I think Raptors NBA TV has the rights to the NBA in Canada. I think Raptors TV cut a deal with Sportsnet last year, for Sportsnet to show all those NBA games (including HD games on Sportsnet HD).

Raptor's TV doesn't have the rights. Sportsnet still shows additional NBA games on their East, West, Pacific channels.

http://www2.sportsnet.ca/tvschedule/...dDate=20051109

10:00p.m. ET NBA on Sportsnet - New York @ Portland 10:00
10:30p.m. ET NBA on Sportsnet - Sacramento @ Denver 10:00

Quote:

But, since Raptors TV now has its own HD channel, they are keeping all NBA games to themselves this year. Maybe it's a smart play by MLSE. Leafs TV will get a bunch of subscribers this year because they have 12 Leaf games. And Raps TV will get a bunch of subs this year because they have all basketball.....more importantly...all HD basketball.

If I take what Sportsnet is telling me as the truth, then the Raptor's have 2 rights the SD rights and the HD rights. The SD rights were sold, while the HD rights were not.

The biggest problem is that Raptors HD isn't available outside of ExpressVu.

asif9t9 · 2005-11-04, 03:57 PM

That explanation makes as much sense as any. John Shannon was on the CHurck Swirsky show today and again no one asked him anything about HD Leafs or HD Raptor games. I'm talking about tiimeframes. This year? Next year? Maybe this HD thing isn't as big as it is in DHC.

betterTV · 2005-11-04, 04:18 PM

I think there are a lot of NBA games out there, but Raptors TV has the rights to the TNT Thursday night doubleheaders exclusively. These are in HD and were shared with Sportsnet last year. NBATV also produces HD games and since Raptors TV is their affiliate, they must get first crack at that as well. I don't know if there is any other regional HD content that Sportsnet could pick up.

2005-11-03, 09:44 PM	#1
Nels Stewart Veteran Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 1,905	Sportsnet frustration What the heck is going on at Sportsnet? Their HD schedule is looking pretty thin these days; in fact, there's nothing listed after the NASCAR race on Nov. 6, no indication anywhere on their site as to whether they'll be carrying any NBA games in HD, no word yet on CHL hockey in HD, and why couldn't they make an effort to do tonight's AHL game from the ACC in HD. We already know they won't be producing any NHL games in HD because of the regional nature of their rights and the the HD channel is national. We already know they won't be doing any Raptors' home games in HD because it seems the pinheads who run the ACC are still stuck in the 1990s. It is becoming extremely frustrating to be stuck on the sidelines as HD sports coverage explodes south of the border yet seems to be slipping backwards up here: two years ago, Sportsnet did all their Raptors home games in HD, now, nothing; Raptors TV HD is approved, yet won't be broadcasting any of their Raptors games in HD either; TSN is making a token effort with 27 NHL games in HD, yet they choose to show the SD feed of other games they have the rights to and are being produced for other markets in HD. __________________ Beware of the evil orange plastic ball Visit The Big Ring

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2005-11-04, 08:27 AM	#2
hoju_17 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Belleville, ON Posts: 227	I'm sure that doing an AHL game in HD is financially challenging. Especially when it's on vs. a Leafs game.

2005-11-04, 11:47 AM	#4
asif9t9 Veteran Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Oakville, Cogeco Posts: 2,981	I could be wrong, but I think Raptors NBA TV has the rights to the NBA in Canada. I think Raptors TV cut a deal with Sportsnet last year, for Sportsnet to show all those NBA games (including HD games on Sportsnet HD). But, since Raptors TV now has its own HD channel, they are keeping all NBA games to themselves this year. Maybe it's a smart play by MLSE. Leafs TV will get a bunch of subscribers this year because they have 12 Leaf games. And Raps TV will get a bunch of subs this year because they have all basketball.....more importantly...all HD basketball. But I am only speculating.

2005-11-04, 03:57 PM	#6
asif9t9 Veteran Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Oakville, Cogeco Posts: 2,981	That explanation makes as much sense as any. John Shannon was on the CHurck Swirsky show today and again no one asked him anything about HD Leafs or HD Raptor games. I'm talking about tiimeframes. This year? Next year? Maybe this HD thing isn't as big as it is in DHC.

2005-11-04, 04:18 PM	#7
betterTV Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Toronto Posts: 18	I think there are a lot of NBA games out there, but Raptors TV has the rights to the TNT Thursday night doubleheaders exclusively. These are in HD and were shared with Sportsnet last year. NBATV also produces HD games and since Raptors TV is their affiliate, they must get first crack at that as well. I don't know if there is any other regional HD content that Sportsnet could pick up.