Peter Tessier: The Rogers Fallout Yesterday the changes coming to Rogers Inc. hockey broadcast became final how does this change for viewers?

I miss the Old CBC HNIC. I thought the show was well produced and really catered to hockey fans.

I also miss TSN.

Rogers just sucks.....

questioning why don is still there if healy and cox are gone makes no sense. Healy was in the viewers ear offering up his ridiculous and useless opinions for the whole 2:30 hour game. Cherry has a 5min segment during intermission

questioning why don is still there if healy and cox are gone makes no sense. Healy was in the viewers ear offering up his ridiculous and useless opinions for the whole 2:30 hour game. Cherry has a 5min segment during intermission
- Bigern4MVP

Cause Cherry is an icon... and the viewership was big with Ron and Don before

I wish they gave Strombo another year and weather the internet backlash from people who fear change. He was doing a good job, and had a genuine energy that was lacking. Going back to Ron Maclean is even worse, I respect him as a personality but the show needs new blood.

I would say you Sundin are in the minority in that one. A lot of people just didn't like Strombo. As easy as that. The show was fine before he came along and they through him and the gang in there trying to cater to a younger crowd. Throwing around buzz words and all that other bs. Show will be better than ever with Ron back at the helm.

13sundin13 "I wish they gave Strombo another year and weather the internet backlash from people who fear change. He was doing a good job, and had a genuine energy that was lacking. Going back to Ron Maclean is even worse, I respect him as a personality but the show needs new blood."

THIS!

So people will pay outrageous prices to see teams like Edmonton and the Leafs lose year after year, and people wear high ticket prices like a badge of honor, but they won't watch it on TV?

I wish they gave Strombo another year and weather the internet backlash from people who fear change. He was doing a good job, and had a genuine energy that was lacking. Going back to Ron Maclean is even worse, I respect him as a personality but the show needs new blood.
- 13sundin13

I'll be honest I've near heard many of the CBC broadcasts, but I do think this was reactionary, gut-punch move that should have waited.

Sure, they can bring back MacLean, but in another couple of years, they'll probably be doing another search for his successor again. Sure, Strombo probably is the furthest thing from a hockey guy, but they do need some young talent. It definitely didn't help the Rogers overhaul that a Canadian team didn't make the playoffs.

Will people go back to being hockey fans in CAN just because MacLean is hosting the show? If the lack of interest is not altered, I suspect there are more fundamental changes that need to be in order

So people will pay outrageous prices to see teams like Edmonton and the Leafs lose year after year, and people wear high ticket prices like a badge of honor, but they won't watch it on TV?
- tootooisapunk

Ratings don't lie.

Being the states, Only got TSN draft, Draft and TD lien coverage, but it was so much better than Sportsnet.

I wish they gave Strombo another year and weather the internet backlash from people who fear change. He was doing a good job, and had a genuine energy that was lacking. Going back to Ron Maclean is even worse, I respect him as a personality but the show needs new blood.
- 13sundin13

I agree with this.

Sportsnet production and analysts suck. Strombo did the best he could with the personnel that was provided to him. The sad thing is that Sportsnet kept the former GM of the Blue Jackets (forget his name) and Kypreos.

What a joke!!!

I wish they gave Strombo another year and weather the internet backlash from people who fear change. He was doing a good job, and had a genuine energy that was lacking. Going back to Ron Maclean is even worse, I respect him as a personality but the show needs new blood.
- 13sundin13

Strombolufagus had 2 years too many He is an arrogant jerk. He tried to show he was an expert and he did not know a hockey stick from a baseball bat. Bad hire to begin with and kept him way too long. Get some people who know hockey and are not in love with themselves. At least Ron and Don tell it straight and aren't a doofus hipster.

Ratings were down because the Leafs sucked and had no exciting players. Leafs now have Matthews and potentially nylander and Marner in the lineup. Ratings will be up. Doesn't matter who's running the show.

Ratings don't lie.
- Peter.Tessier

It takes a monumental effort to screw up the entire Canadian market.

I'll be honest I've near heard many of the CBC broadcasts, but I do think this was reactionary, gut-punch move that should have waited.

Sure, they can bring back MacLean, but in another couple of years, they'll probably be doing another search for his successor again. Sure, Strombo probably is the furthest thing from a hockey guy, but they do need some young talent. It definitely didn't help the Rogers overhaul that a Canadian team didn't make the playoffs.

Will people go back to being hockey fans in CAN just because MacLean is hosting the show? If the lack of interest is not altered, I suspect there are more fundamental changes that need to be in order
- DeflatedPucks

Hiring jerks like Strombo never works Their true colors expose them quickly and lack of knowledge give them no advantage. You have to at least be likeable Ex see H Clinton

Strombo was terribly miscast from the beginning. Horrible choice. Should've never replaced Ron. He's the Peter Mansbridge of hockey. Strombo is a fantastic interviewer but has ZERO insight into the game.

Cox didn't bother me as much as Healy, but whatever. Person I can't stand is Bob Cole. That guy needs to retire -- can't call a game to save his life. Total jinxer too... drives me nuts. I get the nostalgia with him and he's got some of the greatest one-liners, but man, he's terrible at calling the play-by-play.

I'm not adverse to change (how about bringing in some female flavour? I had respect for Andi Patrillo when she was on there...) but I'll admit I'm still pissed off that they didn't re-up for the rights to the original theme song.

Ratings were down because the Leafs sucked and had no exciting players. Leafs now have Matthews and potentially nylander and Marner in the lineup. Ratings will be up. Doesn't matter who's running the show.
- HealthyScratch6

To an extent, ya, sure. HNIC focuses on the Canadian teams and they all pretty much sucked this year. Can't discount that.

Although I'm one of those fans that pays most attention to the Cdn. clubs, I still watched some of the playoffs. Just not nearly as much as I would've if a Canadian club was in the dance.

Senator fans lucked out and got the TSN #1 broadcast for most of their local coverage. Most often it was Gord Miller with Ray Ferraro and they were superb. It was depressing to watch a Sens game on any of the HNIC affiliates. Painfully depressing.

The end of the day it's real simple. Ratings tanked and fans were loud and clear in what they hated and why. You either figure it out and listen or plod on suffering.

The set was a nightmare and trying to "modernize" by making an ungodly neon infused mess was just sheer failure in design.

Strombo was just a bad hire. He did what he could but was not at all the guy to bring in and people chose to turn the channel.

Healy brought little, and his bitter attitude and cheapshot comments had most tuning him out. Healy screwed Healy. G'bye!!

Cox and the rest of the media guys like Simmons are known hacks and have been for years. What they were doing on set at all remains a mystery. Chuck em off and problem solved.

PJ Stock.... Honestly at least he brought something interesting. He was kind of like Kelly Hrudy light and is the only one punted I might actually miss, though a good deal didn't like him so...

Overall hitting reset was a smart move and should have been done before now!

Out with the old and in with the OLD. Perfect about time, and before all else Cherry is a hockey icon enough said. As for Healy, good c-ya. That guy used to boil my blood, he spent a couple years crucifying James Riemer and what right does a career backup have to slam anybody, I know he got a cup ring, but he got it from handing water bottles to Mike Richter

The end of the day it's real simple. Ratings tanked and fans were loud and clear in what they hated and why. You either figure it out and listen or plod on suffering.

The set was a nightmare and trying to "modernize" by making an ungodly neon infused mess was just sheer failure in design.

Strombo was just a bad hire. He did what he could but was not at all the guy to bring in and people chose to turn the channel.

Healy brought little, and his bitter attitude and cheapshot comments had most tuning him out. Healy screwed Healy. G'bye!!

Cox and the rest of the media guys like Simmons are known hacks and have been for years. What they were doing on set at all remains a mystery. Chuck em off and problem solved.

PJ Stock.... Honestly at least he brought something interesting. He was kind of like Kelly Hrudy light and is the only one punted I might actually miss, though a good deal didn't like him so...

Overall hitting reset was a smart move and should have been done before now!
- Roadrunner75

Agreed... not sure why they ever let Stock out of his "bubble"

I love Gord Miller. He's the best guy to call hockey. You can tell he absolutely loves it. He's just as excited calling a Latvian game as he is a Can vs US game. TSN had a way better production than SN. The NHL (frank)ed it up by giving it to Rogers.

Get rid of Kypreos and I will start watching again. Nothing like watching some guy that thinks he's Bob Mack but doesn't even come close.

I love Gord Miller. He's the best guy to call hockey. You can tell he absolutely loves it. He's just as excited calling a Latvian game as he is a Can vs US game. TSN had a way better production than SN. The NHL (frank)ed it up by giving it to Rogers.
- Thorny87

Couldn't agree with u more. All the good hockey guys r on TSN