I asked Marc Fein, a top Versus exec whom I quoted in my Friday newspaper column, whether he has heard anything lately regarding ESPN's potential interest in returning to the NHL.
"We haven't heard anything,'' he said. "We've stated in the past if someone wants to talk to us, [we] would have those conversations."
ESPN would have to come to Versus, because Versus owns national cable exclusivity for the league. (I guess I could have asked ESPN poobah John Skipper about this Thursday, but, um . . . )
NBC exercised its option to carry the NHL for another season, which almost certainly puts the ESPN possibilities on the shelf for now, but some in and around the league miss the exposure ESPN provided even as Versus gradually gains acceptance.
Here is what a helpful ESPN spokesman had to say on the subject: "We are fans of the NHL and look forward to discussions next time rights become available."
By the way, in case you were wondering whether NBC and Versus are happy with the mix of Original Six, big market and Sidney Crosby teams in the second round, stop wondering:
They are.
Comments (6)
The Edmonton Express aka Eddie Shore?
Neil - as a service to Rangers fans maybe you should publish some of the VS channels for tonight's game. On Time Warner VS is on Ch 122 and in Hi-Def on Ch 794
Cablevision: 146
Cablevision HD: I higher number than that, I assume.
Also, I read on another board that MSG/MSG HD will rebroadcast some or all of the Versus Rangers telecasts going forward during the overnights.
As for TV rights, I think Versus is set through 2011 or something like that (plus Comcast owns a piece of NHL Network U.S.). Can't imagine NBC won't pick up the option again next year (I think NBC has options in perpetuity under their deal) because they'll be going into the Olympic season. So ESPN would most likely have to wait until 2010-2011 before any NHL package comes up for bidding.
But you'd know better than me!
VS HD on cablevision is 719
I don't know about the rest of NYC, but Versus Brooklyn is having huge problems with the HD coverage. The channel keeps going dark. Thank you Time Warner!