NHL on ABC

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NHL on ABC
Nhlonabc.jpg
Logo from 1999 to 2004
Genre Sports
Created by ABC Sports
ESPN
Starring John Saunders
Gary Thorne
Mike Emrick
Al Michaels
Bill Clement
Jim Schoenfeld
John Davidson
Al Morganti
Barry Melrose
Chris Berman
Steve Levy
Dave Strader
Darren Pang
Brian Engblom
Erin Andrews
Sam Ryan
Theme music composer Bob Christianson
Country of origin United States
Language(s) English
No. of seasons 2 (1992-1994 version)
5 (1999-2004 version)
Production
Running time 180 minutes
Broadcast
Original channel ABC
Original run 1992 (1992)- ()
February 6, 2000 (2000-02-06) – June 7, 2004 (2004-06-07)
Chronology
Related shows ESPN National Hockey Night
External links
Official website

The NHL on ABC is a former TV show that televised National Hockey League games on the American Broadcasting Company and was produced by ABC's corporate sibling (under the Walt Disney Company umbrella) ESPN.

Contents

[edit] Before the 1992–93 NHL season

In 1979, ABC was contracted to televise Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals.[1] Since the Finals ended in five games, the contract was void. Had there been a seventh game, then Al Michaels (play-by-play), Jim McKay (anchor, under the Wide World of Sports umbrella), Bobby Clarke (color commentator), and Frank Gifford (reporter) would've called it. This would have given Michaels the distinction of calling all four major North American sports championships, having since called the Super Bowl, World Series, and NBA Finals.

[edit] 1992–1994 version

In the 1992–93[2] and 1993–94 seasons, ABC televised six weekly regional telecasts[3][4] on Sunday afternoons beginning in March[5] (or the last three Sundays[6] of the regular season). This marked the first time that regular season broadcasts of National Hockey League games were aired on American network television[7] since 1974–75 (when NBC was the NHL's American broadcast television partner). ABC would then televise three weeks worth of playoff games[8][9] (or the first three Sundays[10][11] of the playoffs[12][13][14][15]). They didn't televise the Stanley Cup Finals which instead, were televised nationally by ESPN and by Prime Ticket in Los Angeles (1993) and MSG Network in New York (1994). Games televised on ABC were not subject to blackout.

These broadcasts (just as the case was with the 1999–2000–2003–04 package) were essentially, time buys[16] by ESPN.[17][18] In other words, ABC would sell three hour blocks of airtime to ESPN, who in return, would produce, supply broadcasters and sell advertising. The main difference is that the graphics were ABC Sports' instead of the ones seen on ESPN National Hockey Night. In later years, the roles would be reversed as ESPN's graphical style would be used with the exception of intermission reports. ABC even used ESPN's theme music[19] for the 1992–1994 coverage. During ABC's next stint with the NHL, they had their own theme music[20] (composed by Bob Christianson).

[edit] Announcers

[edit] Studio hosts

[edit] Play-by-play men

  1. Gary Thorne[21]
  2. Mike Emrick
  3. Al Michaels[22]
  4. Tom Mees
  5. Sam Rosen[23]

[edit] Color commentators

  1. Bill Clement
  2. Jim Schoenfeld
  3. John Davidson
  4. Darren Pang

[edit] Reporters

  1. Al Morganti
  2. Bob Neumeier
  3. Tom Mees
  4. Brenda Brenon[24]

[edit] Schedules

[edit] 1993-94

Main article: 1993–94 NHL season
Date Teams Start times (All times Eastern)
March 27[25][26][27][28][29] Boston at Washington
Detroit at Chicago
New York Rangers at Winnipeg
Los Angeles at Vancouver		 1 p.m.
2 p.m.
2 p.m.
3 p.m.
April 3[30] Boston at Pittsburgh
Dallas at Washington
St. Louis at Detroit
Edmonton at Los Angeles		 1 p.m.
1 p.m.
1 p.m.
4 p.m.
April 10 New York Rangers at New York Islanders
Boston at Philadelphia
Los Angeles at Chicago
Dallas at St. Louis		 1 p.m.
1 p.m.
1 p.m.
1 p.m.

April 17,[31][32] 24, May 1: Playoffs

[edit] Stanley Cup playoff commentator crews

[edit] 1993
Round Series Games covered Play-by-play Color commentator(s)
Division semifinals Pittsburgh vs. New Jersey Games 1, 4 Gary Thorne Bill Clement
Chicago vs. St. Louis Games 1, 4 Mike Emrick Jim Schoenfeld
Calgary vs. Los Angeles Games 1, 4 Al Michaels John Davidson
Division finals Pittsburgh vs. New York Islanders Game 1 Gary Thorne Bill Clement
Toronto vs. St. Louis Game 4 Gary Thorne Bill Clement
Vancouver vs. Los Angeles Game 1 Mike Emrick John Davidson
Conference finals Montreal vs. New York Islanders Game 1 Gary Thorne Bill Clement
[edit] 1994
Round Series Games covered Play-by-play Color commentator(s) Ice level reporter(s)
Conference quarterfinals New York Rangers vs. New York Islanders Games 1, 4 Tom Mees (Game 1)
Gary Thorne (Game 4)		 Darren Pang (Game 1)
Bill Clement (Game 4)		 Bob Neumeier (Game 1)
Al Morganti (Game 4)
Dallas vs. St. Louis Games 1, 4 Gary Thorne (Game 1)
Tom Mees (Game 4)		 Bill Clement (Game 1)
John Davidson (Game 4)		 Al Morganti (Game 1)
Conference semifinals New Jersey vs. Boston Game 1 Gary Thorne Bill Clement Al Morganti

[edit] 1999–2004 version

In August 1998, ABC, ESPN, and ESPN2 signed a five year deal worth a total of approximately $600 million[33][34] (or $120 million per year).

This time around, ABC televised four to five weeks worth of regional games on Saturday afternoons beginning in January. ABC also televised the National Hockey League All-Star Game[35] and Games 3–7 of the Stanley Cup Finals[36] in prime time.

Following the 2003–04 season, ESPN was only willing to renew for two years at $60 million per year and ABC refused to televise the Stanley Cup Finals in prime time. Disney executives later conceded that they overpaid for the 1999–2004 deal, so their offer to renew the TV rights was lower in 2004.[37]

[edit] Announcers

[edit] Studio hosts

[edit] Stanley Cup Finals hosts

[edit] Play-by play men

  1. Gary Thorne
  2. Steve Levy
  3. Mike Emrick
  4. Dave Strader

[edit] Color commentators

  1. Bill Clement and John Davidson (2002–03–2003–04)
  2. Darren Pang
  3. Barry Melrose (1999–2002), Brian Engblom (2002–2004)

[edit] Schedules

[edit] 1999-2000

Main article: 1999–2000 NHL season

[38]

Date Teams Start times (All times Eastern)
March 18 Pittsburgh at Boston
New York Rangers at Philadelphia
Dallas at Chicago
Detroit at Colorado		 3 p.m.
3 p.m.
3 p.m.
3 p.m.
March 26 Pittsburgh at Philadelphia
New York Rangers at Detroit
St. Louis at Chicago
Colorado at Dallas		 1 p.m.
1 p.m.
1 p.m.
1 p.m.
April 1 New York Rangers at Boston
Philadelphia at Pittsburgh
Detroit at St. Louis
Anaheim at Los Angeles		 1 p.m.
1 p.m.
1 p.m.
3 p.m.
April 9 Philadelphia at New York Rangers
St. Louis at Chicago
Phoenix at Dallas
Detroit at Colorado
Los Angeles at Anaheim		 3 p.m.
3 p.m.
3 p.m.
3 p.m.

[edit] 2000-01

Main article: 2000–01 NHL season
Date Teams Start times (All times Eastern)
March 10 New Jersey at Philadelphia
Detroit at St. Louis
Colorado at Dallas		 3 p.m.
3 p.m.
3 p.m.
March 17 New York Rangers at Philadelphia
Detroit at Colorado
San Jose at Los Angeles		 3 p.m.
3 p.m.
3 p.m.
March 24 Detroit at New York Rangers
Colorado at Boston
Anaheim at Los Angeles		 1 p.m.
1 p.m.
3 p.m.
March 31 New York Rangers at New Jersey
Detroit at Philadelphia
St. Louis at Pittsburgh
Colorado at Los Angeles		 3 p.m.
3 p.m.
3 p.m.
3 p.m.
April 7 Pittsburgh at Philadelphia
Colorado at Detroit
Dallas at San Jose
New York Rangers at Florida		 3 p.m.
3 p.m.
3 p.m.
3 p.m.

[edit] 2001-02

Main article: 2001–02 NHL season
Date Teams Start times (All times Eastern)
January 5 Detroit at Colorado
Pittsburgh at New York Rangers
Washington at Boston		 3 p.m.
3 p.m.
3 p.m.
January 12 New York Rangers at Philadelphia
St. Louis at Pittsburgh
Detroit at Dallas		 1 p.m.
1 p.m.
1 p.m.
March 2 New York Rangers at Philadelphia
Detroit at Pittsburgh
Dallas at Colorado		 3 p.m.
3 p.m.
3 p.m.
March 9 Pittsburgh at New York Rangers
Detroit at St. Louis
Colorado at Los Angeles		 3 p.m.
3 p.m.
3 p.m.
March 16 Boston at Detroit
New York Rangers at New Jersey
Colorado at Philadelphia		 3 p.m.
3 p.m.
3 p.m.

[edit] 2002-03

Main article: 2002–03 NHL season

[39]

Date Teams Start times (All times Eastern)
January 11 Colorado at Dallas
Detroit at Philadelphia
New York Rangers at Pittsburgh		 1 p.m.
1 p.m.
1 p.m.
February 8 Pittsburgh at Boston
Colorado at Detroit
New York Rangers at Philadelphia		 3 p.m.
3 p.m.
3 p.m.
March 15 Colorado at Detroit
New York Rangers at New Jersey
Philadelphia at Pittsburgh		 3 p.m.
3 p.m.
3 p.m.
March 22 New York Rangers at Philadelphia
Chicago at Colorado
Detroit at St. Louis		 3 p.m.
3 p.m.
3 p.m.
March 29 Detroit at St. Louis
New York Rangers at Boston
Phoenix at Colorado		 1:30 p.m.
1:30 p.m.
12 p.m.

[edit] 2003-04 season

Main article: 2003–04 NHL season
Date Teams Start times (All times Eastern)
January 10 Detroit at Boston
Colorado at Dallas
New York Rangers at New York Islanders		 1 p.m.
1 p.m.
1 p.m.
February 14 New York Rangers at Philadelphia
Colorado at Detroit
Boston at Chicago		 3 p.m.
3 p.m.
3 p.m.
March 13 Dallas at Detroit
New Jersey at Philadelphia
Los Angeles at San Jose		 3 p.m.
3 p.m.
3 p.m.
March 20 New York Rangers at Philadelphia
St. Louis at Dallas		 3 p.m.
3 p.m.
March 27 Colorado at Detroit
New York Rangers at Philadelphia
Los Angeles at Calgary		 1:30 p.m.
1:30 p.m.
6 p.m.

[edit] Nielsen ratings

Main article: Ratings for The NHL on ABC

[edit] References

  1. ^ Associated Press (May 13, 1979). "NHL, ABC-TV Agree". Reading Eagle: p. 89. 
  2. ^ Wulf, Steve (December 27, 1993). "The Network Lineup". Sports Illustrated. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1138127/index.htm. 
  3. ^ "NHL governors "ecstatic' over reported TV package". Kitchener-Waterloo Record: p. E2. August 27, 1992. 
  4. ^ Swift, E.M. (June 20, 1994). "Hot Not". Sports Illustrated. http://cnnsi.printthis.clickability.com/pt/cpt?action=cpt&title=While+the+NBA%27s+image+has+cooled%2C+the+NHL+has+ignited+-+06.20.94+-+SI+Vault&expire=&urlID=421025542&fb=Y&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsportsillustrated.cnn.com%2Fvault%2Farticle%2Fmagazine%2FMAG1005307%2F4%2Findex.htm&partnerID=289881. 
  5. ^ Martzke, Rudy (February 5, 1993). "NHL's new boss ready to clear up confusion". USA Today: p. 3C. 
  6. ^ Hiestand, Michael (April 28, 1993). "Camera could be newest Derby rider". USA Today: p. 3C. 
  7. ^ Shea, Jim (May 7, 1993). "Select few watching NHL on ABC". Hartford Courant: p. E9. 
  8. ^ Heistand, Michael (March 4, 1993). "Weighty ESPY awards get lighthearted touch". USA Today: p. 3C. 
  9. ^ Kiley, Mike (January 21, 1994). "NHL BOSS FINISHES EVENTFUL 1ST YEAR BETTMAN FOCUSES ON CBS DEAL". Chicago Tribune: p. 3. 
  10. ^ Milan, Jorge (May 22, 1993). "NBC WINS WITH LOTTERY, EAST FINALS". South Florida Sun-Sentinel: p. 7C. 
  11. ^ McKee, Ken (April 15, 1994). "TV picture still fuzzy for NHL playoff schedule". Toronto Star: p. E8. 
  12. ^ Covitz, Randy (March 6, 1993). "ABC to help showcase NHL with 5 playoff games". Kansas City Star: p. D6. 
  13. ^ Kiley, Mike (March 28, 1993). "He's Muni-ficent: Oilers coach lavishes praise on new Hawk". Chicago Tribune: p. 12. 
  14. ^ LaPointe, Joe (April 11, 1993). "HOCKEY; N.H.L. Is About to Showcase Lemieux and the Prime-Time Penguins". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/1993/04/11/sports/hockey-nhl-is-about-to-showcase-lemieux-and-the-prime-time-penguins.html?pagewanted=print. 
  15. ^ Kiley, Mike (April 12, 1993). "Hawks must win Norris to make ABC telecast". Chicago Tribune: p. 11. 
  16. ^ Hiestand, Michael (September 3, 1992). "NHL announces TV deal but some details murky". USA Today: p. 3C. 
  17. ^ Davis, Craig (August 22, 1992). "TOO MUCH PUNCH RUINS NHL PARTY". South Florida Sun-Sentinel: p. 1C. 
  18. ^ Martzke, Rudy (September 12, 1994). "Fox makes hockey its newest surprise". USA Today: p. 3C. 
  19. ^ NHL on ESPN Theme at YouTube
  20. ^ NHL on ABC full theme at YouTube
  21. ^ Baker, Jim (May 9, 1993). "Sports on the Air NHL not bouncing like NBA". Boston Herald: p. B18. 
  22. ^ Sandomir, Richard (April 13, 1993). "TV SPORTS; With Words to Spare, Schenkel Strikes a Chord". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/1993/04/13/sports/tv-sports-with-words-to-spare-schenkel-strikes-a-chord.html?pagewanted=print. 
  23. ^ Baker, Jim (March 27, 1994). "ABC set to drop puck for Bruins-Caps". Boston Herald: p. B20. 
  24. ^ "BRENON KNOWS HER HOCKEY ABC'S". The Buffalo News. April 17, 1994. 
  25. ^ Lindquist, Jerry (March 24, 1994). "NO MORE LIFE IN A FISHBOWL". Richmond Times-Dispatch: p. C4. 
  26. ^ Caesar, Dan (March 25, 1994). "PRESIDENTIAL PRIORITIES: CLINTON CUTS OFF FOR GAME". St. Louis Post-Dispatch: p. 4G. 
  27. ^ Caesar, Dan (March 25, 1994). "NATIONAL AUDIENCE IS AGAIN ABOUT TO GET ABCS OF HOCKEY". St. Louis Post-Dispatch: p. 5G. 
  28. ^ Sell, Dave (March 27, 1994). "Reality Check for Iafrate, Juneau; Traded Players Meet for First Time Today as Capitals Host Bruins". Washington Post: p. D07. 
  29. ^ Sell, Dave (April 3, 1994). "Capitals Doing It Hard Way; Try to Beat Stars For Third Straight". Washington Post: p. D10. 
  30. ^ Wheatley, Tom (April 4, 1994). "BLUES STICK IT OUT, EARN TIE JOSEPH ON THE CUTTING EDGE IN SLICE 'N'DICE BATTLE WITH WINGS". St. Louis Post-Dispatch: p. 1C. 
  31. ^ Hiestand, Michael (April 15, 1994). "USA's Kenin gets CBS sports job". USA Today: p. 2C. 
  32. ^ "HOCKEY; Nothing Is as Easy as ABC". New York Times. April 15, 1994. http://www.nytimes.com/1994/04/15/sports/hockey-nothing-is-as-easy-as-abc.html?pagewanted=print. 
  33. ^ "Is Disney Goofy To Bid $600 Million For Nhl Tv Rights?". Sports Illustrated. August 17, 1998. http://cnnsi.printthis.clickability.com/pt/cpt?action=cpt&title=Is+Disney+Goofy+To+Bid+%24600+Million+For+Nhl+Tv+Rights%3F+-+08.17.98+-+SI+Vault&expire=&urlID=431349367&fb=Y&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsportsillustrated.cnn.com%2Fvault%2Farticle%2Fmagazine%2FMAG1013552%2Findex.htm&partnerID=289881. 
  34. ^ Walters, John (January 10, 2000). "Learning It Cold". Sports Illustrated. http://cnnsi.printthis.clickability.com/pt/cpt?action=cpt&title=Learning+It+Cold+-+01.10.00+-+SI+Vault&expire=&urlID=431385002&fb=Y&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsportsillustrated.cnn.com%2Fvault%2Farticle%2Fmagazine%2FMAG1018103%2Findex.htm&partnerID=289881. 
  35. ^ Kennedy, Kostya (February 5, 2001). "The Nhl". Sports Illustrated. http://cnnsi.printthis.clickability.com/pt/cpt?action=cpt&title=The+Nhl+-+02.05.01+-+SI+Vault&expire=&urlID=431385062&fb=Y&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsportsillustrated.cnn.com%2Fvault%2Farticle%2Fmagazine%2FMAG1021673%2F2%2Findex.htm&partnerID=289881. 
  36. ^ McEntegart, Pete (June 16, 2003). "Under Review". CNN. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1028974/index.htm. 
  37. ^ Downey, Kevin (April 12, 2001). "Sports TV get pricier and pricier. Here's why". Media Life Magazine. http://www.medialifemagazine.com/news2001/apr01/apr09/4_thurs/news1thursday.html. 
  38. ^ "1999-2000 NHL Schedule". Washingtonpost.com. October 1, 1999. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/nhl/longterm/1999/schedule/nhlsked.htm. 
  39. ^ "ABC's 2002-2003 NHL schedule". ABC Sports. ESPN.com. http://espn.go.com/abcsports/s/nhl/schedule.html. 

[edit] External links

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