OLN to air NHL games instead of ESPN

[Sabre Ally]

Huh? What the heck is OLN? I don't get that channel. I guess I won't be watching anything other than the Sabres, then. I liked being able to check out other games.

NHL reaches cable deal with Comcast

August 18, 2005

NEW YORK (AP) -- NHL games will air on Outdoor Life Network for at least the next two seasons.

The league finalized a two-year deal with Comcast Corp. -- the owner of OLN -- late Wednesday night after ESPN declined to match the agreement that will pay the NHL $65 million this season and $70 million in 2006-07.

The agreement between Comcast and the NHL was approved by the league's board of governors last week. ESPN, which resumed regular broadcast of NHL games in 1992, had until Wednesday night to match the contract but decided to pass.

Skipping ahead........ OLN, best known for providing live coverage of the Tour de France, will show between 58 and 78 regular-season games, as well as conference quarterfinals and the entire conference finals -- with the exception of some weekend windows that could move games to NBC in both playoff rounds.

OLN will show Games 1 and 2 of the Stanley Cup finals before NBC takes over for the remainder of the series.

Full Story (http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news?slug=ap-nhl-espn&prov=ap&type=lgns)

[Ebenezer]

Outdoor Life Network is owned by Comcast. The word is that they are trying to propel OLN into the next ESPN. I really hope they do. It could be a great outlet and real competition to a channel that has gone stale. OLN is available on satellite.

[Sabre Ally]

Good point, Eb. ESPN sucks. Oh well, at least I can still watch Hockey Night in Canada on CBC.

[Canadian'eh!]

If the NHL can make a legitimate comeback and really get t a point where it's a legit #4 major sport again, then OLN COULD make that push to be a rival to ESPN.

I still like ESPN, but competition is always good. you can't get enough quality sports coverage.

[Bill Brasky]

Thank god... ESPN ****ing blows.

[lordofgun]

I get OLN, so that's not a problem.

So who is going to air the first two rounds of the playoffs? It's gonna suck to have to pay for internet streaming or centre ice to watch it. :down: Guess I'll listen on Sirius.

[Crisis]

The NHL needs ESPN to get more coverage around the country.

120 mill for 2 years is really good for the NHL, but OLN doesn't get the same viewer #s that ESPN gets. The NHL needs more fan support.

[Makaveli]

lol this is awesome, now I have OLN, TSN, CBC, and Sportsnet

[JD]

wowwwww.....espn actually helped make the sport somewhat popular now some no name broadcasting company has the rights?

this sport wont grow.

:down:

[Turf]

Is OLN available or on Direct TV?

[Michael82]

OLN? :ill:

[Dozerdog]

They just need to rename the thing- If they can give "The Nashville Network (TNN)" a jazzy new name like "Spike TV" then they can come up with something for the Outdoor Life Network.

[SkateZilla]

ESPN, ABC, and Other Netwroks will still show games,

OLN is only going to Air Max 60 out of like 1200+ games ..

[SabreEleven]

ESPN, ABC, and Other Netwroks will still show games,

OLN is only going to Air Max 60 out of like 1200+ games ..
You need to go back and read the article.

Only OLN and NBC will show NHL games this year.

[SkateZilla]

You need to go back and read the article.

Only OLN and NBC will show NHL games this year.

i read a different article first,

then that one,

ESPN Rejected the Current offer Whoopity Doo.. I have NHL Center Ice :)


OLN has a Clearer Picture Here on Standard Cable Line Up...


Center Ice with PVR :)

[lordofgun]

So who's going to air the first two playoff rounds?????????? :mad:

[SabreEleven]

So who's going to air the first two playoff rounds?????????? :mad:
You are a Sabres fan, don't worry about it.

[lordofgun]

You are a Sabres fan, don't worry about it.
:rofl:

:(

[mchurchfie]

:lolpoint:


:(
..................................me too.:ill:

[Michael82]

:lolpoint:
..................................me too.:ill:
Where the hell have you been? We've missed you. :(

[Turf]

You are a Sabres fan, don't worry about it.


:clap: One of the best posts of the year :goodpost:

[SabreEleven]

:lolpoint:
..................................me too.:ill:
Who the **** are you?

[Sabre Ally]

:lolpoint:
..................................me too.:ill:

Churchie!!!!!!! I thought of you the other day when I went to the swamps. :D

[SabreEleven]

Churchie!!!!!!! I thought of you the other day when I went to the swamps. :D
I thought of him when I was taking a crap