After a brief flirtation with ESPN, it appears as if the NHL will stay with NBC for at least one more year.
William Houston of the Toronto Globe & Mail reports the NHL and NBC are close to extending the current television contract through the 2008-09 season. Since gaining the rights to NHL telecasts in 2004, NBC has dealt with poor ratings — including a Stanley Cup Finals game that ended as the lowest rated prime time program in the history of the network.
Two high profile events may have played a role in NBC wanting to keep the NHL, despite the low numbers.
The first is a potential second Winter Classic next January at Yankee Stadium. The game, which would be the final sporting event at Yankee Stadium, is contingent on NBC renewing its deal with the NHL. After the first Winter Classic drew a 2.2 rating on New Year’s Day, NBC is evidently not willing to pass up the opportunity for a sequel.
The second is the 2010 Winter Olympics. There has been speculation NBC would keep the NHL through the 2009-10 season so it could use hockey telecasts to promote the Olympic Games. While the rumored extension between the NHL and NBC only goes through next season, it would not make much sense for NBC to end its relationship with the NHL only one year before the Games.
Earlier this summer, there were rumors the NHL and ESPN were in talks to have ESPN2 replace NBC as the primary broadcast partner of the NHL. That agreement was contingent upon NBC not picking up its option to air NHL games in ’08-’09.
Since then, indications are that the NHL and ESPN will not be reuniting any time soon. Recently, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman told The NHL Hour “I think people should anticipate the status quo for the foreseeable future … I don’t think anyone should anticipate any immediate changes in what were doing on broadcasting.”
