Respect vs. Exposure + My favorite TV show returns in four days!

From the Associated Press: "NEW YORK (AP) -- Versus has picked up an option to televise NHL games for three more years...

The cable network, formerly known as OLN, began televising NHL games during the 2005-06 season. It paid $65 million for the first year, $70 million for the second, and exercised a $72.5 million option for this season.

Ratings for NHL games on Versus are up this season. Through 29 games, average viewership has increased 34 percent from 195,666 to 261,760. Versus is airing 57 regular-season games this season."

I am a big fan of hockey, specifically the NHL. Call me crazy but I love hockey (maybe it comes from liking soccer a lot too). For me, it's an exciting rush from the goals, the incredible saves, and the big hits. I know my opinion is not shared by most Americans. Which is why the NHL's primary broadcast partner is Versus (with weekly games on NBC for the second half of the season).

So now, for at least three more seasons, NHL games will be broadcast on Versus, a channel not widely available. Though Comcast will claim 70 million households or so can receive Versus (compared to ~90-100 million for ESPN), how many actually receive it? I can receive Versus via Dish Network but that requires upgrading to the most expensive package.

So the question is: What is better for the NHL, a league struggling to regain popularity after a strike: Money and respect from Versus or exposure and less money from a broadcast juggernaut in ESPN? I would love to get into hockey more but I can't because most of the playoff games are on VS, a channel I can't get. How many more casual fans are like me and can't become invested fans because VS isn't available? I guess we won't know for another three years...

In other television news...

My favorite television show, LOST, returns this Thursday! Unfortunately the writers' strike has cut this season in half but a half season is better than no season! To celebrate, some friends and I are watching it together :). It's been eight long months since the last episode but LOST is almost here! And, in reference to my previous post, Comcast has KATV's HD signal back and my dad's office has Comcast so I will be recording LOST there on Thursday nights to avoid the whole ethical/moral dilemma. An exciting month ahead, more to come later...
-Kevin C. Burns