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Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2008 2:46 pm
by phd1969
It's a business decision, plain and simple. Sportsnet use to carry tons of ball in the high flying Vince Carter days. These guys are not hating on basketball, nor trying to shove hockey down our throats. Although it may seem that way.

These are businessman trying to make as much money as possible. Hockey and even curling are the sports that sell in this country, then comes the tier 2 sports in basketball, soccer, and baseball. Give it time, the demographics of this country are changing.

Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2008 2:46 pm
by Troubadour
They should have some games with Jack and Leo. That would be an interesting dynamic...

Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2008 2:51 pm
by whysoserious
phd1969 wrote:It's a business decision, plain and simple. Sportsnet use to carry tons of ball in the high flying Vince Carter days. These guys are not hating on basketball, nor trying to shove hockey down our throats. Although it may seem that way.

These are businessman trying to make as much money as possible. Hockey and even curling are the sports that sell in this country, then comes the tier 2 sports in basketball, soccer, and baseball. Give it time, the demographics of this country are changing.


If the demographics are changing, wouldn't it be more profitable long-term to be the leader in this so-called shift. Sportsnet doesn't have an identity in the sports landscape in this country.

TSN is the hockey network, the leader and the original network. They have an identity that fans know about.

The Score is the network that's the most diverse in it's coverage and appeals more to the younger demographics in this country.

What is Sportsnet identity, trademark or calling card with the viewers. Over the year's they've changed so many times and just can't make up their mind what kind of network they want to be. They shift focus every couple of year's after what they think is going to work continually fails.

Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2008 2:52 pm
by El Presidente
wenzi wrote:It's all Jose Caleron's fault


**** off already.

Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2008 3:01 pm
by yucatan87
whysoserious wrote:If the demographics are changing, wouldn't it be more profitable long-term to be the leader in this so-called shift. Sportsnet doesn't have an identity in the sports landscape in this country.

TSN is the hockey network, the leader and the original network. They have an identity that fans know about.

The Score is the network that's the most diverse in it's coverage and appeals more to the younger demographics in this country.

What is Sportsnet identity, trademark or calling card with the viewers. Over the year's they've changed so many times and just can't make up their mind what kind of network they want to be. They shift focus every couple of year's after what they think is going to work continually fails.


I don't think Sportsnet is doing it out of choice. They basically have to choose between the Raptors and regional telecasts of 5 NHL teams. It's unprofitable to have just a handful of Raptor games and boatloads of non-Raptor NBA games. Non-Raptor NBA games are pretty much nothing but filler for them. Let's not kid ourselves here, any one regional telecast will get at least 8 to 10 times the viewers that a non-Raptors NBA game gets on a Sportsnet channel. Sportsnet definitely has an identity, it's a focus on regions. Turn on Sportsnet Connected at 10 ET and you'll see the Raptors relatively early on in the show, as it's the "Ontario" edition. Turn it on at Midnight ET and you'll see 20 minutes of coverage on the Oilers and Flames before the Raptors, because its the "West" edition. Turn it on at 1 ET and you'll see 10 minutes of the Canucks, and then Raptors and Sonics highlights, because it's the "Pacific" edition.

Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2008 3:01 pm
by dagger
whysoserious wrote:-= original quote snipped =-



If the demographics are changing, wouldn't it be more profitable long-term to be the leader in this so-called shift. Sportsnet doesn't have an identity in the sports landscape in this country.

TSN is the hockey network, the leader and the original network. They have an identity that fans know about.

The Score is the network that's the most diverse in it's coverage and appeals more to the younger demographics in this country.

What is Sportsnet identity, trademark or calling card with the viewers. Over the year's they've changed so many times and just can't make up their mind what kind of network they want to be. They shift focus every couple of year's after what they think is going to work continually fails.


Actually, I'd make the case that the CBC has an increasingly diverse offering that aims at the Canada of tomorrow, not the Canada of yesterday (although it's being bumped out of curling and the CFL by higher bidders). CBC has hockey, some baseball, basketball (big expansion next season), MLS (Toronto FC), Olympics, World Cup skiing, etc. It's Sunday night network sportscast at 11:30 covers Canadian competitors in many sports around the world, not just NHL or NFL.

Considering that CBC reaches pretty much every single home in Canada, it's expanding interest in the Raptors is great news. If it shows 15 or more Sunday games next year, that will represent something closer to a true game-of-the-week concept. I'm sure that will mean more Sunday afternoon games at home and on the road for the Raptors.

Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2008 3:07 pm
by YogiStewart
anyone else wondering why Sportsnet exists?

Or what their MO is?

Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2008 3:10 pm
by whysoserious
dagger wrote:-= original quote snipped =-



Actually, I'd make the case that the CBC has an increasingly diverse offering that aims at the Canada of tomorrow, not the Canada of yesterday (although it's being bumped out of curling and the CFL by higher bidders). CBC has hockey, some baseball, basketball (big expansion next season), MLS (Toronto FC), Olympics, World Cup skiing, etc. It's Sunday night network sportscast at 11:30 covers Canadian competitors in many sports around the world, not just NHL or NFL.

Considering that CBC reaches pretty much every single home in Canada, it's expanding interest in the Raptors is great news. If it shows 15 or more Sunday games next year, that will represent something closer to a true game-of-the-week concept. I'm sure that will mean more Sunday afternoon games at home and on the road for the Raptors.


I'm certainly happy that CBC is going to carry more Raptors games. This is good news for the growth of the Raptors in this country and basketball.

But CBC is never considered in the same group as those three networks. And of those three networks, Sportsnet has no identity compared to the other two.

Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2008 3:11 pm
by splayed
Now the important question - does this mean more Raptors games in high-def, or fewer?

Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2008 3:39 pm
by Indiana Jones
alright!! can't wait to watch all those minnesota wild and phoenix coyotes games on sportsnet west!

Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2008 3:40 pm
by Indiana Jones
splayed wrote:Now the important question - does this mean more Raptors games in high-def, or fewer?


can't be more cause they are all in HD already

Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2008 3:43 pm
by Indiana Jones
whysoserious wrote:-= original quote snipped =-



I'm certainly happy that CBC is going to carry more Raptors games. This is good news for the growth of the Raptors in this country and basketball.

But CBC is never considered in the same group as those three networks. And of those three networks, Sportsnet has no identity compared to the other two.



umm, no identity? what does that mean? but i'd say sportsnet is waaaaay more important than the score, since it has five channels and is carried on basic cable packages. the score is still a second rate network and its emphasis on basketball is a sign that they are picking up the scraps that tsn and rogers don't want. trust me, if the score could do hockey and pay for the rights, they'd drop the raps in a second too...

Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2008 4:41 pm
by 99 Problems
I'm tired of waiting for ESPN and TNT to magically appear on Canadian television.. I'm sick of Canadian television as well....I'm starting to think things won't change during my lifetime and we won't see the market open up to American television providers... And also American cell phone providers too as long as we're in the subject of monopolies...

Time to invest in that DirecTV satellite...

Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2008 4:52 pm
by Cross-over
Russ369 wrote:Am I the only canadian who despises hockey? I think its the most useless sport... Meh.
No this Canadian cant stand it either.

Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2008 5:09 pm
by basketball420
yucatan87 wrote:-= original quote snipped =-



I don't think Sportsnet is doing it out of choice. They basically have to choose between the Raptors and regional telecasts of 5 NHL teams. It's unprofitable to have just a handful of Raptor games and boatloads of non-Raptor NBA games. Non-Raptor NBA games are pretty much nothing but filler for them. Let's not kid ourselves here, any one regional telecast will get at least 8 to 10 times the viewers that a non-Raptors NBA game gets on a Sportsnet channel. Sportsnet definitely has an identity, it's a focus on regions. Turn on Sportsnet Connected at 10 ET and you'll see the Raptors relatively early on in the show, as it's the "Ontario" edition. Turn it on at Midnight ET and you'll see 20 minutes of coverage on the Oilers and Flames before the Raptors, because its the "West" edition. Turn it on at 1 ET and you'll see 10 minutes of the Canucks, and then Raptors and Sonics highlights, because it's the "Pacific" edition.


either you work there or you actually get it...Sportsnet is regional TV...The Leafs, then the Sens..then the Raps in ONT if you watch at 10..and as much as I am a basketball fan I get it we are a hockey country..
The worst part of this is you are right Jack is no longer going to be doing games...so if you want to see him on the boroadcasts..you had better start emailing The other networks like TSN, CBC and The Score..otherwise he might get completely phased out because of this and that would be awful... he is the best basketball guy in the country period.

Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2008 5:11 pm
by Darrick Martin
There is really no point in watching Sportsnet now... Could care less about TSN neither.....

The score (with missing scoreboard) & CBC (more exposure) > *

Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2008 5:12 pm
by Vandal Savage
sportsnet is the worst sports channel

their news is useless, all they do is show highlights while the anchors have a conversation between them selves.

all they show is poker, repeat chris myer interveiws and best damn show

Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2008 5:14 pm
by BD006
Wow, and Sportsnet used to be the station with the MOST Raps games.

I'm not so much disappointed about the Raps games though, since I have all the other stations, but I will definitely miss tuning into Sportsnet West/Pacific for late night, west coast games.

Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2008 5:15 pm
by Ill Mago
tke_mark wrote:This probably has more to do with the fact that the ontario teachers pension is buying BCE, otherwise known as Bell. Since they wouldn't want to be assisting the competition.

Soon it will be, TSN supports the Coke, Colgate, Ford, Basketball Night in Canada.



thread winrar right here.


thanks, i didnt know that. it makes a ton of sense when you think about it.
Ontario Teachers FTW

Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2008 5:15 pm
by YogiStewart
you keep on asking when ESPN's coming to Canada.

wake up. its already here.

They own TSN.

The "SportsCentre" theme song sound familiar to you?