To Hell with MSG/Fox Sports, give the Devils their OWN television home.
I don't know about you, but I'm absolutely furious that the Devils are forced to OPEN their season on MSG Plus 2... A crappy, standard definition, MSG-branded joke of an overflow network.
The Devils play immediately outside of one of the world's largest media markets, would it really be such a financial burden, and/or difficult deal to make with our local network affiliates to provide Devils programming on one of New Jersey's (not even New York's) multiple television networks?
Seriously, looking at it, New Jersey Network (NJN, I'm sure many of you New Jerseyans are familiar with this network.) would be a PERFECT fit for our beloved franchise over in the Brick City. From the fan's perspective, the Devils on NJN would be a dream come true. Almost every single game would be available on the cheapest of basic cable packages, and even over-the-air for free in certain parts of the state. This statement is especially true as NJN is available on every single cable system across the ENTIRE state of New Jersey... Yes, Devils fans in Jersey down near Philly and Delaware, you would no longer be forced to listen to the Devils on the internet stream of The Fan or curb your boredom by watching the Flyers. (Holy Crap, what a crazy concept, the New Jersey Devils broadcasting throughout ALL of Jersey?! /Sarcasm. They're the NEW JERSEY Devils, not the NEWARK Devils.) And that's another thing, Devils fans outside of the immediate Northern Jersey Market would be rejoicing, as NJN not only broadcasts around the entire state, but also throughout the five boroughs of New York City, Southern New York State, Southwestern Connecticut near Bridgeport, Danbury, and New Haven, Western Long Island, Philadelphia, most of Eastern Pennsylvania, and Delaware north of Dover... And the real icing on the cake (Horrible Pun Intended): All of this adds ups to over 28 million viewers in five states... Plus the fact that the Devils would probably be on NHL Center Ice, because MSG and the NHL is STILL having disputes over putting games on Center Ice. (I can feel the fanbase growing already.)
MSG doesn't come close to covering a viewing area of this scale, unless you count all of New York State, which doesn't count because only the Sabres are aired way up there. And broadcasting the team on a local news network dealing with all things local to the immediate area shouldn't be considered a taboo thing. I mean, the Chicago Cubs have been broadcasting around the Northern Illinois/Northwestern Indiana Area via WGN, a local CW affiliate in Chicago, for over sixty years with great success.
This doesn't only benefit the fans, as NJN is looking to become a privately-funded network, and when you think about it, you wonder if a successful hockey franchise with over 28 million potential viewers could possibly raise revenue for the network and Devils organization in even the slightest way. (Again, /Sarcasm.)
Hey, and don't forget the emotional boost some of us Devil fans would get from seeing that the three letters at the top corner of the screen stand for "New Jersey Network" and not "Madison Square Garden."
The Devils need to be prevalently featured on another local channel in Jersey, playing second fiddle to the Rangers and Islanders (Yes, the Islanders.) just isn't cutting it anymore. These b@$tards at MSG are kicking the crap out of the ratings of a storied 27 year old franchise with three Stanley Cups and perennial success out on the rink.
(If you have read this, yes, I'm aware that a forum post here doesn't mean all that much to big-business. But hey, I want to hear your thoughts and whether or not you agree.)
The Devils have one of the most lucrative TV contracts of any hockey team in the league. So as much as we fans hate seeing them on a network where they take a backseat to the Rags, the ownership will happily keep cashing MSG's checks (and hopefully reinvest some of it in the team itself).
I think we have a contract with MSG for a while unfortunately because it pays Vanderbeek more money then the channel that would be perfect for us in my opinion (SNY) offered. Unfortunately, I don't think we are going to see a change. I do like your thinking though.
So you want the Devils to give up the 25 million a year they get from MSG (as stated one of the most lucrative deals in the league) to put the games on public access?
BTW, I believe it is league rules that prevent the Devils from broadcasting down in south jersey.
So you want the Devils to give up the 25 million a year they get from MSG (as stated one of the most lucrative deals in the league) to put the games on public access?
BTW, I believe it is league rules that prevent the Devils from broadcasting down in south jersey.
Look, all of this is coming from the fan's perspective.
It's somewhat of your generic rant about the real fans getting the screwjob because of the greed of the business who run the franchises and networks.
Also note that NJN is looking to become a privately-funded network.
(What is MSG?)
Come to think about it, not only did the fans get screwed, so did the management of the team. 25 mil a year, and yet they play backseat to the Islanders, a constant reminder of why we all dread the thought of being at the bottom of the Conference?
The Devils have one of the most lucrative TV contracts of any hockey team in the league. So as much as we fans hate seeing them on a network where they take a backseat to the Rags, the ownership will happily keep cashing MSG's checks (and hopefully reinvest some of it in the team itself).
This.
not to mention the contract is disgustingly long.
Also, I don't think NJN has the capacity to air Devil games, nor do they have the funds to pay for the rights to do so. The only real alternative is SNY, which frankly, I think the Islanders should be on instead which would prevent the overflow issues somewhat (sans the basketball interference from time to time).
The only other reasonable option I can think of which isn't really provider specific are the local channels, which could give a **** less about hockey. Fox, for instance, would rather create some god-awful show that will waste millions and fail miserably over spending that on the low-drawing potential of a local NHL game. Plus when you consider the full-scope of the schedule with times, days of the week and such, it probably wouldn't be possible anyway.
We're pretty much stuck where we are regardless, and despite not being the best place to be sometimes, it's still probably the best of what actually is out there.
Please correct me if I am wrong...but wasnt there talk of the Devils moving to YES with the Nets when YES was being created but MSG came out and pulled the rug out from under that deal?
This is just one of the things that sucks about living in a tiny state with two of the largest cities in the nation right on our borders...
We're forced to work as a part of their media markets when it comes to professional sports.
But I will still never understand why it's OK for the Devils, Rangers, and Islanders to all overlap in the same market, but the Devils can't air games near Philly, especially (if you wanted to be technical) since it's still Jersey down there.
Quote:
Originally Posted by whatarush1234
Please correct me if I am wrong...but wasnt there talk of the Devils moving to YES with the Nets when YES was being created but MSG came out and pulled the rug out from under that deal?
Yes.
Here it is from the YES Network Wiki:
"YES attempted to secure TV rights to the New Jersey Devils, formerly owned by an affiliate of YankeeNets, but with the team sold to a different ownership group, it opted to renew its contract with MSG Network and FSN New York in 2005 on a long-term basis."
Last edited by pacmanghostx: 09-24-2009 at 05:52 PM.
Please correct me if I am wrong...but wasnt there talk of the Devils moving to YES with the Nets when YES was being created but MSG came out and pulled the rug out from under that deal?
That was when the Devils were owned by YankeesNets, but it wasn't ever going to happen.
Look, all of this is coming from the fan's perspective.
It's somewhat of your generic rant about the real fans getting the screwjob because of the greed of the business who run the franchises and networks.
Also note that NJN is looking to become a privately-funded network.
(What is MSG?)
Come to think about it, not only did the fans get screwed, so did the management of the team. 25 mil a year, and yet they play backseat to the Islanders, a constant reminder of why we all dread the thought of being at the bottom of the Conference?
The treatment the Devils have been getting recently isn't that bad. The Devils in the overall scheme of things isn't getting second banana treatment to the Islanders. The Isles have more games on the overflow channel than the Devils do. The thing with the opener is that night is also the debut of Tavaras who has been hyped for years as the next great player. It's no surprise why the ISles get priority night and frankly I understand. Be thankful the Devils game is still being aired because in most markets if the hockey gmae conflicts with other programming the hockey game doesn't get aired at all.
The Devils are still in the position of having every game broadcast. Not to mention based on what I have seen on my DTV guide during the offseason there has been a ton of ancillary Devils programming (Marty and Elias re-airs) let's be honest you aren't getting that with any other channel that has other summer programming to air. The Devils don't actually get the bad of treatment in the grand scheme of things.
YES dropped out when YankeeNets fell apart and Vanderbeek bought the team. They already had the Nets and didn't need winter programming. The bidding for the Devils rights was between SNY and MSG and it got up to about $25 million a year because MSG was desperate to keep what properties they had left after pretty much everyone fled. What the Devils got was a massive increase in TV rights (before they were getting something like 6 to 9 million per year). It's a big part of the reason why the team is still here.
1. We usually are put on MSG+ over the Isles, it evens out. 80% of our games are in HD, all of our games are televised, there are some teams that rarely get broadcast in HD and some who even have games not shown on television.
2. I will be at the game so I dont care.
3. Jimmy Dolan gives the Devils 25 million dollars to play on MSG+
1. We usually are put on MSG+ over the Isles, it evens out. 80% of our games are in HD, all of our games are televised, there are some teams that rarely get broadcast in HD and some who even have games not shown on television.
2. I will be at the game so I dont care.
3. Jimmy Dolan gives the Devils 25 million dollars to play on MSG+
This.
My only complaint is MSG+2 isn't in HD. If they air games on MSG2 in HD, I wouldn't care if we get bumped.
This summer there was a ton of Devils programming (summer of Marty & Elias, along with other highlights). For $20MM+ to the Devils per year for the long term, this is a great deal for the team.
Cablevision gave the Devils a sweetheart deal when they were being actively courted by SNY. The timing was perfect, The Devils contract was expiring right when the Mets were starting SNY and a bidding war ensued.
The Dolans dug into those super deep pockets and gave the Devils an deal they couldnt refuse.
I don't have a problem with MSG+.. I think they do a good job with the Devils. They did a good job covering the Brodeur and Elias records.
Wait what?! New Jersey Devils can't broadcast its own games in South Jersey.
Thats absolute ridiculous ********
The Flyers were there first. I'm not sure what the exact number is but it has to do with mileage. The Devils would have to pay the Flyers for the right to air games there.
my biggest gripe about MSG is the lack of HD on the +2 channel.
there are a ******** of worthless HD channels and "Special Access" or "SPecial Program" HD channels as well. how it cant be broadcast on these stations is beyond me.
fix that and I dont care, but when i spend $1000 on a TV and $100/mo on cable, i should be able to maximize my investment.
__________________ Personal Games-Attended Record
Regular Season: 54 - 25.5 - 10
Playoffs: 9 - 6
Last Result: 4-3 v Toronto 2/5 Kovalchuk's Debut
Next Game: TBD
The Flyers were there first. I'm not sure what the exact number is but it has to do with mileage. The Devils would have to pay the Flyers for the right to air games there.
the Flyers are a Jersey team, more or less. I mean, they even practice out of Vorhees.
if you took the south Jersey counties away from the Flyers and broadcasted Devils games there while blacking the Flyers out, there would be alot of angry people to deal with. alot.
It bothers me only because I don't get any MSG channels in HD on FiOS. Thank you Dolan.
That's a load of **** right there. I know there's still some court filings out there about that. Dolan is skirting the rule that you have to offer your service to competitors by labeling it "premium content"
Hopefully some higher authorities will step in and say HD is standard content and he, and everyone else holding out, will have to give in.
Hey, at least you guys get the games. Here on the terrific RU tv network, they don't have MSG+2.
I get VS, MSG, and whatever Philly's channel is at TCNJ, but no + or +2. It drives me nuts that I go to school in state and have to drive an hour home to watch the games on a TV.
