Alan Bass: How the NHL Can Explode Into Success

Good, well thought out argument Alan. Unfortunately not much of this likely to happen in the US (Canada is different) under current circumstances, however, with the long term broadcast deals already in place with almost a decade still to run.

The NHL does not get it..
I am in Europe (currently France) and some games are blacked out on NHL Gamecenter LIVE because of the fact that the next day Canal Plus (a digital pay per view channel) is having a resume of the game in the evening..
For example no possibility to watch last night´s Bruins vs. Montreal game, because of the fact that today (almost 24hrs later) the game is shown on a pay-per-view channel..
I´m paying to watch the games live, but no possibility to do so (even if I wanted to pay for Canal Plus which I have no interest in)..
And no proper feedback from the NHL gamecenter people either (just a standard mail on blackouts directed at US/Canada public).
The NHL definitely does not look after its fans/customers, and even less in one of its potential growth areas that represents Europe..

You really can't compare the NFL Network to NHL Center Ice. A more apt comparison would be NFL Sunday Ticket and Center Ice. And I believe NFL Sunday Ticket costs more - and is available on fewer providers (1).

Last I recall, on DirecTV if you get the sports package you get both NFL Network and NHL Network. I believe the same is true for Charter Communications. And you get far more bang for your buck in terms of games on NHL Network.

My biggest gripe for GameCenter is the local blackout restrictions.

Completly agree, best way is to increase market size & penetration is by making the nhl widely available and cheaper. Last in viewership and popularity yet charging much more $. How does that make sense? They should def start by making nhl game center free or at least a free trial for a couple a months, to build viewership and then charge but def not as much as now. They charge four times my cable bill! Why even bother?! I also hate the fact that its only for out of market games, I understand that a good chunk of its clients are fans who are away from their home town and want to catch the game but if you were in the market and had cable youll wouldnt you watch it on t.v. before you turn on your laptop, cmon! I dont want to pay for nbcsn, I want to pay for what I wan to watch, and thats hockey.

kinky title but tl dr alas.

I have issues with seeing games I want although I am a GameCentre subscriber. I get why they need to black out games, it's to protect revenue streams &c.

I understand that in America the cable companies have a political stranglehold and don't have to innovate, let alone worry about access to programming. I think also the cable internet providers have restricted towns and cities from attempting to increase their bandwidth by using non-1970s style copper cable, and their customers pay more for it. In South Korea where we have a branch office, it's the equivalent of $30USD/month to get fiber optic supported access at almost 1G. Comcast charges our US branch $200 for 100mb. With a lock on policy like that, do not expect to see anything innovative from broadcasting.