Babcock: 'We could end up like bowling'

I think a large part of why just 117,000 households watched games on OLN was because the games were on OLN.

However, Babcock's right.

Seems to me that ESPN would rather air a poker tournament than hockey anyway.

QUOTE(#1):

Originally posted 08:34 AM ET  12.19 by dannylimes

I think a large part of why just 117,000 households watched games on OLN was because the games were on OLN.However, Babcock's right.

Big reason for that number was the foolish decision to sign a TV contract with a network that wasn't part of most people's basic cable/satellite package.

Unfortunately, bowling and poker probably have better TV ratings!

QUOTE(#4):

Originally posted 09:01 AM ET  12.19 by Golden Bay

Unfortunately, bowling and poker probably have better TV ratings!

I will never understand how poker became a spectator sport

QUOTE(#2):

Originally posted 08:55 AM ET  12.19 by Rex Racer

Seems to me that ESPN would rather air a poker tournament than hockey anyway.

.... and bowling.

QUOTE(#5):

Originally posted 09:13 AM ET  12.19 by Spiny Norman

I will never understand how poker became a spectator sport ....

or ..... how it became a sport?

"Hate to say it," Babcock told Sportsnet.ca, "but we could end up like bowling." Or, uh, poker.

Right now, both of those "sports" have better ratings than hockey.

QUOTE(#3):

Originally posted 08:57 AM ET  12.19 by Rex Racer

Big reason for that number was the foolish decision to sign a TV contract with a network that wasn't part of most people's basic cable/satellite package.

+1

QUOTE(#7):

Originally posted 09:14 AM ET  12.19 by roamer

or ..... how it became a sport?

Exactly, how is it a sport?

QUOTE(#1):

Originally posted 08:34 AM ET  12.19 by dannylimes

I think a large part of why just 117,000 households watched games on OLN was because the games were on OLN.However, Babcock's right.

Apart from Hockey there was nothing on OLN but hunting and cycling.... and now since then it's changed twice to Versus (Vs.) and now NBC Sports. Either way without the NHL they can only do so much programming, just like the NHL Network.... you can only look back so much before you need to look forward, and when you do, it's just disgusting.

hockey is all the rage on espn the past few years...im pretty sure they air at least 1-2 replays a year

QUOTE(#14):

Originally posted 09:34 AM ET  12.19 by uncle teabags

hockey is all the rage on espn the past few years...im pretty sure they air at least 1-2 replays a year

but only if there's a fight involved

QUOTE(#3):

Originally posted 08:57 AM ET  12.19 by Rex Racer

Big reason for that number was the foolish decision to sign a TV contract with a network that wasn't part of most people's basic cable/satellite package.

Very true. If they really want to make it up to the fans, I suggest the NHL and PA cover a free year of NHL Centre Ice as an apology for what they have put us through.

an average of just 117,000 U.S. households watched NHL games on the Outdoor Life Network

WTH is the Outdoor Life Network?

QUOTE(#16):

Originally posted 10:03 AM ET  12.19 by Hornets Hockey

Very true. If they really want to make it up to the fans, I suggest the NHL and PA cover a free year of NHL Centre Ice as an apology for what they have put us through.

I would accept a year without pictures of, or quotes from, either the Dwarf or the Fehrless Leader.

QUOTE(#17):

Originally posted 10:10 AM ET  12.19 by Garbage Man

an average of just 117,000 U.S. households watched NHL games on the Outdoor Life Network WTH is the Outdoor Life Network?

Outdoor Life Network became Versus which became NBC sports Network.

QUOTE(#5):

Originally posted 09:13 AM ET  12.19 by Spiny Norman

I will never understand how poker became a spectator sport

Its like cheating thats why..get to see how the people play...im a big fan of Ivey and Tom Dwan...and Negraneau has sick reading ability.