Report: HNIC Making Major Changes to Broadcast
On the heels of a summer of change in the hockey world, it appears that Canadian national broadcaster Rogers Sportsnet are making major changes to their on-air product.
Major Shakeup
A mass exodus of on-air talent appears to on the schedule for Hockey Night in Canada.
According to reports, only insider Elliotte Friedman is safe from the major culling forthcoming.
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Howard Berger, a former Rogers/Sportsnet employee had the report.
We may not recognize the Hockey Night In Canada panel next season. Based on what I'm told, only Elliotte Friedman is safe from the changes and cost–cutting measures on the horizon. - Howard Berger
Berger went on to say that while some personalities futures are still in question, Ron MacLean's time with HNIC appears to be over.
Hockey Night studio commentators Ron MacLean, Kelly Hrudey, Kevin Bieksa and Jennifer Botterill remains to be determined, but MacLean's future, in particular, seems tenuous. For the bulk of 37 years — by far the longest tenure of any person — MacLean has hosted Hockey Night intermissions, taking over (in 1986) from Dave Hodge.-Howard Berger
Tumultuous Tenure
The Rogers/NHL partnership has been an up and down union from the very beginning, with backlash regarding George Stroumboulopoulos, and incessant betting ads.
American companies like ESPN and TNT have proven to be popular with fans, TNT especially as the addition of personalities like Wayne Gretzky and Paul Bissonnette have energized the show.
Maybe the shakeup at Sportsnet will bring its quality up to the industry standard set down south.
| POLL | ||
13 JUILLET | 205 ANSWERS Report: HNIC Making Major Changes to Broadcast Who has the best NHL Broadcasts | ||
| ESPN | 20 | 9.8 % |
| Sportsnet | 91 | 44.4 % |
| TNT | 16 | 7.8 % |
| TSN | 78 | 38 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
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