Versus, NBC shun Flyers-Devils
Not one game of the series will be on national television in the US.
Versus, NBC shun Flyers-Devils
Rich Hofmann, Daily News Sports Columnist
Foster Hewitt was the broadcaster who invented hockey broadcasting, the man who first said "he shoots, he scores" into a microphone. Back in the day, when he was doing Hockey Night in Canada on the radio, he would open his Saturday night broadcasts with this line: "Hello Canada, and hockey fans in the United States and Newfoundland."
Well, for the Flyers and Devils, forget the United States.
There are eight first-round playoff series in the National Hockey League. Seven of them are scheduled to have at least three games telecast in the US either on Versus or on NBC. One series will not. You guessed it.
I get it. The Devils have never been a ratings workhorse, given their inability to deliver the New York market in any meaningful way. The Flyers have been so schizophrenic that it is admittedly hard to hitch your wagon to them. But no games?
The Ovechkins are getting four games on Versus. The Crosbys are getting six games on Versus. Everybody understands marketing, and the NHL's decision to market its stars, but zero games for the Flyers and the Devils? No other series has fewer than three US national television appearances. It does seem a tiny bit out of whack.
The good news is you get Jim Jackson and the fellas for the entire first round. And if you are in Canada and Newfoundland, TSN or TSN2 will have you covered. Everybody else, though, will be on their own. Compared to Washington-Montreal or Pittsburgh-Ottawa, the Flyers and Devils will be a rumor.
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Good. Some of the Philly announcers may be homers, but I'd rather listen to them than hear the NBC and VS. announcers longingly pine for Crosby through the entire series.— mdefeo- devils suck. lets do thiiiis!— drumminge6
- So basically all of the Flyers games will be broadcast by the home announcers and all of the games will be played at times that are most convenient for Flyers and Devils fans? Sweet!— AreaMan
For once we benefit from the rest of the country hating and disregarding us! Doc Emerick is a pro but his phrases tend to annoy me- finesse is not now, and never should be a verb! Bottom line- of COURSE Philly gets no respect but HOOORAH that we get JJ, Jonesy and Coatesy! (Ok probably not Jonesy- but Clement though no Bobby Taylor, isn't nearly as annoying as Pierre McGuire and the NBC/Vs Yo-yos.- Can anybody tell me if the NHL Center Ice subscription is still good for the playoffs?— vafan
- Are the games on MSG? We know the rangers won't be on.— P Even
- Sucks for us outside of Philly, the NHL or someone should put our games online!!
- This is ridiculous. I live in Pittsburgh but was born and raised in Philly. I was praying that the FlyBoys would make the playoffs so that I would finally get to see some games on TV. Now they are only broadcast in Canada?? Both teams are American! Why not air the Montreal series or the Ottawa series (or even Buffalo, they're practically in Canada) in TSN?? More than a little annoyed at this.— PhillyKid85
- Vafan yes the games will be on NHL Center Ice.— JohnnyN
- I live in NY and am a flyers fan.. those of you that don't live in the area, it is time for you to get a Slingbox. It will be one of the best purchases you have ever made. No need to ever buy center ice or MLB package again.— therev
- Slingbox? Need more info about it. First time I've heard of it.— BobbyD
- This is B.S. I'll watch Ovechkin and the Caps, but to hell with Cindy and her girls...6 games, I hope they get tossed in the 1st round and this blows up in the NHL's face.— Bleue
Ovechkin V. Crosby/Referee final? And people say sports are "fixed"- The NHL usually has the games online. Not for free, of course.— Politburo
- I am a bit surprised just because the 2 teams are such rivals that I thought the national networks would provide at least some coverage. However, they may also figure that this may not be the most competitive of series based on how the Flyers played over the last month.— catnameddomino
