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Kukla's Korner Hockey

Programming The Sports Networks

from Stuar Miller of Multichannel News,

Programming a network run by a pro sports league is, on one level, extremely simple: Dedicate time and resources to live coverage of games and surround them with news coverage, previews, updates, live cut-ins and post-game analysis.

Then fill in the gaps with countdown list series, which can be produced cheaply, repurposing footage from the archives. All four major sports league networks — NFL Network, MLB Network, NBA TV and NHL Networks — follow this same basic formula. But even that’s not enough to fill the screen 24/7 in or out of season. So the networks continue exploring new ways to fill out the fringes of their schedules….

In the fall, the NHL created NHL Original Productions, partnering with former HBO Sports president Ross Greenburg; its first effort is NHL 36, which follows a current star for 36 hours.

However, to make the finances work, NHL 36 runs first on NBC Sports Network (formerly Versus), prior to live games featuring the profiled player, before repeating on NHL Network. Similarly, the reality series Oil Change is produced for Canadian television before reaching the NHL Network.

“It’s a good economic model for us,” Coplin said.

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Filed in: NHL Talk, NHL Media, Hockey Broadcasting, NHL Network, | KK Hockey | Permalink
 

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Paul Kukla founded Kukla’s Korner in 2005 and the site has since become the must-read site on the ‘net for all the latest happenings around the NHL.

From breaking news to in-depth stories around the league, KK Hockey is updated with fresh stories all day long and will bring you the latest news as quickly as possible.

Email Paul anytime at pk@kuklaskorner.com

 

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