Rogers Media Draws Ire Of Fans As They Keep Jets On Cable
6 years ago
Despite only being one of two Canadian teams in the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs that will alternate nights playing, the Winnipeg Jets will not be featured on CBC.
Rogers Media, who own the current national broadcasting rights has apparently made the decision to keep the Jets off the more readily available Public Broadcaster, instead opting to feature the Pittsburgh Penguins vs Philadelphia Flyers series. The Toronto Maple Leafs vs Boston Bruins series will be featured on every other night.
Reaction to the decision to relegate Jets playoff hockey to cable was predictably harsh and emotional as fans felt it once again was a case of media playing favorites with Toronto and a screwing over of Jets fans who will need to dish out money through a cable subscription or online service to catch first round Jets games.
While the feelings of frustration are legitimate, it’s important to note that it’s Rogers Media that owns the broadcast rights for NHL games and they licence (and at times simulcast) games to the crown owned CBC. Rogers Media doesn’t have a stake in CBC other than whatever advertising revenue is worked out with games airing on the network, so the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation was at the mercy of what Rogers Media ultimately wanted.
In a strange way, Jets fans should perhaps take the airing of games on the network of Sportsnet channels as a compliment. Rogers Media obviously wants one of the two Canadian teams on their channels and while the Leafs will be a large enough draw ratings wise to bring in advertising dollars, it’s likely fans will fork out money to see a team with the potential to go a long way in the playoffs.
It’s a rather inconvenient complement for fans who before the playoffs had not been subscribed to Sportsnet, but a complement none the less.
Coverage of the Jets will likely be the same as it would have been on the CBC and it’s more than likely the idea that the Jets not being on the network which has for decades been a traditional TV home for hockey playoffs is a bit of a shock to the system, but it’s 2018 and hockey coverage just isn’t the same as it was back in the 80’s and 90s.
Besides, it could be worse… At least the Jets aren’t being relegated to having their games air on the Golf Channel.
We want to hear from Jets fans about this! Is this a major issue for you? Do you already subscribe to Sportsnet, or are you now having to get channels you didn’t have days earlier? If you don’t have Sportsnet and don’t plan to subscribe, how are you getting your first round Jets fix? Let us know on the Twitter feed or comment below!
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