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Lights, camera…

Posted by Rich Hammond on 26 August 2010, 10:03 am

Somewhat lost in yesterday’s Willie Mitchell news was the fact that the Kings will be getting significantly more exposure on national television during this season. Yesterday’s release revealed that the Kings will be on NBC twice (Feb. 13 at Philadelphia and March 13 at Dallas), on Versus five times (Oct. 25 at Minnesota, Dec. 13 at Detroit, Jan. 3 vs. Chicago, Jan. 17 at Dallas and April 4 at San Jose) and on NHL Network five times (Oct. 12 vs. Atlanta, Nov. 11 vs. Dallas, Nov. 15 at San Jose, Dec. 2 vs. Florida and Feb. 28 vs. Detroit). Include three games on CBC, one on TSN and one on RDS, and that’s 17 games that will be televised to a wide audience. By contrast, last season the Kings had one game on Versus and none on NBC. Fox Sports has yet to announce its Kings schedule for this season, but my understanding is that it will feature an increased number of games. I’ll definitely post that when I get definitive information.

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73 Comments

  1. Keeper says:
    August 26, 2010 at 10:06 am

    Kings on NBC?! Wow! What are the Red Wings and Penguins going to do now?! Seriously though, I don’t know how many games I saw from both those teams on NBC.

    [Reply]

    KC23 Reply:
    August 26th, 2010 at 10:29 am

    @Keeper,

    That’s pretty funny. You can throw Washington and Chicago in that mix as well.

    [Reply]

    BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
    August 26th, 2010 at 2:12 pm

    @Keeper, @KC23,

    As much as I’m happy to see the Kings on network TV I hope the Boys are ready for the wars that are coming…

    No catching any team by surprise, this year.

    Can they take a licking and keep on ticking?
    Will they stand up for each other in the corners?
    Can the Kings score during prime time?

    If they get whupped once on National T.V. (either one), will they show up in the next game?

    When is this ___ season gonna start, anyway?

    [Reply]

    KC23 Reply:
    August 26th, 2010 at 2:34 pm

    @BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy,

    With our defense and goal tending we may lose, but were not going to get blown out very often.

    Kings are going to be tuff to play against.

    [Reply]

    reba Reply:
    August 26th, 2010 at 5:37 pm

    @Keeper,

    It says that we have the possibility of having a Kings game on NBC. There are 3-5 other games that we will be competing with.

    [Reply]

    luc20rules Reply:
    August 26th, 2010 at 6:11 pm

    @Keeper, Rich, The big question I have is FSN/Prime going to continue not airing regular season Games in Canada, or have the Canadian Arenas put in the equiptment to provide HD broadcasts. That was the reason FSN/Prime gave us for those regular season games not being broadcast right? Do we have the full TV schedule for the Kings this year yet?

    [Reply]

  2. Ish says:
    August 26, 2010 at 10:09 am

    Finally we are on the big market network! We needed this bad!!!!!! Go kings go!!!!!

    [Reply]

  3. DesertKing says:
    August 26, 2010 at 10:12 am

    Sounds like someone is recognizing that our team is a serious contender this year. Now, if we can just get Versus, NBC and the other networks to let Bob Miller and Jim Fox handle the play-by-play and we will be in Kings heaven!

    [Reply]

    Shakes Reply:
    August 26th, 2010 at 10:46 am

    @DesertKing,

    amen!

    [Reply]

  4. Krusher says:
    August 26, 2010 at 10:15 am

    Must mean a Kovy signing announcement is imminent

    [Reply]

    Matt R Reply:
    August 26th, 2010 at 10:27 am

    @Krusher, Is that an e5?

    [Reply]

  5. Sam says:
    August 26, 2010 at 10:15 am

    I like it but that also means less Bob Miller, which isn’t so great.

    [Reply]

    Matt George Reply:
    August 26th, 2010 at 11:16 am

    @Sam,

    Agreed

    [Reply]

    KFII Reply:
    August 26th, 2010 at 2:47 pm

    @Sam, That was the first thought I had. I’m not as thrilled about this as some of you are. I’ll miss Bob and Jim. I know it means more exposure for the Kings, but..

    [Reply]

  6. mrk says:
    August 26, 2010 at 10:16 am

    Screw NBC. They’ll cut the game short to show horseracing if they have to. Ill stick to my FOX Sports Net

    [Reply]

    TB Reply:
    August 26th, 2010 at 10:29 am

    @mrk, …not sure if you’re saying this because you remember a game that was cut short??? Ever…???

    To my understanding the NHL includes in their TV contracts that their games can never be cut short. Especially overtime games in the playoffs. Sorry, but I’m willing to say I’m 100% sure that they would never interrupt or cut short a single game unless it was a special report or emergency.

    This is great news! But I should ask…why do you hate NBC? what did they do wrong?

    [Reply]

    DBB Reply:
    August 26th, 2010 at 10:59 am

    @TB,

    2007 Eastern Conference Finals, Game 5. Look it up.

    [Reply]

    King John Reply:
    August 26th, 2010 at 6:05 pm

    @DBB,

    I remember watching the game on NBC and expected to see more in OT, but suddenly they cut away to the horse race pre-game show which lasted a looooong time before the horse race (I can’t remember if it was the Kentucky Derby). I thought they could at least keep the hockey game going thru some of the pre-game show…. I kept NBC on for at least half an hour, but no hockey and no horse race—just a pre-game show. And it had been such an exciting hockey game! Lots of suspense!

    Matt George Reply:
    August 26th, 2010 at 11:19 am

    @TB,

    At the very least, let’s hope NBC spends a little more money on the set and production this year.

    As someone who knows, the on air graphics package last year clearly looked like someone said “Don’t spend too much time on this… we got other things to do.”

    It was a not too subtle slap in the face to hockey in general.

    [Reply]

    mrk Reply:
    August 26th, 2010 at 11:36 am

    @TB,
    What DBB said.

    [Reply]

  7. J Evan says:
    August 26, 2010 at 10:18 am

    Hey Rich,

    There’s a chance we will appear on NBC, albeit a small one. NBC keeps 3-4 games per week on Sundays during the second half of the season. NBC has always shown preference to the American original 6 teams – and will always choose the matchup to ensure the highest ratings.

    For example, on the weekend of 2/13 where we are an option for NBC broadcast – the other games that NBC has optioned are BOS v DET and PIT v NYR. There’s no WAY the Kings game against the Flyers gets picked up over one of these matchups. It’s an even easier call for NBC on March 13th when Chicago and Washington play.

    [Reply]

    TB Reply:
    August 26th, 2010 at 10:30 am

    @J Evan, Its regional coverage. Meaning, if you live in the LA area…you’ll get the Kings game. :)

    [Reply]

    DBB Reply:
    August 26th, 2010 at 11:53 am

    @TB,

    I don’t think it’s regional coverage. It’s what NBC calls “Flex Coverage” where they have an option to chose between 3 or 4 different games and show 1 of those across the country.

    From NHL.com: “The NHL and NBC will again collaborate on flexible scheduling for NBC’s regular-season dates, providing fans the most exciting match-up available. At least 13 days prior to the scheduled date, a game will be selected to broadcast on NBC.”

    Definitely does not sound like regional coverage.

    http://panthers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=536437

    [Reply]

  8. Fyzzix says:
    August 26, 2010 at 10:19 am

    I think the only thing that will make me happier than this will be seeing that FSN/Prime Ticket won’t be hosing us out of all the games in Canada again. I feel pretty confident that they’ll televise the season opener in Vancouver, but after that…

    I guess that’s one thing we Kings fans can be happy about; playing VAN last season in the playoffs made a rivalry matchup that FSN is more likely to cart the truck up to Canada for.

    [Reply]

  9. AK47 says:
    August 26, 2010 at 10:22 am

    It’s about time they get exposure, this team needs it! Let their talents be exposed to the woooorld

    [Reply]

  10. Mike J. says:
    August 26, 2010 at 10:25 am

    See what happens when you make the playoffs. The networks pay attention and when you are on the networks you are seen, and when you are seen players want to play there. We don’t need selfish players like Kovalchuck, we need playoff performers and winners. Being on tv and going to the playoffs again and advancing is going to bring a whole lotta love to the Kings next July.

    [Reply]

  11. KOHO says:
    August 26, 2010 at 10:26 am

    Changing the culture of the team was a nice start but now the Kings have a chance to change the culture of how the networks and NHL fans see us.

    The Kings have been about as popular as the Clippers for far too long. Maybe they will start emulating the Lakers more and the networks, advertisers and league will start seeing the Kings as an asset to their programming instead of a cesspool of mediocrity which we whole heartedly deserved.

    Still a few years away but we’re heading in the right direction…FINALLY!

    [Reply]

  12. KC23 says:
    August 26, 2010 at 10:27 am

    I don’t think since starting to follow the King’s since the 68-69 season I have ever been more psyched about a season. Can’t wait.

    [Reply]

  13. Matt R says:
    August 26, 2010 at 10:28 am

    Good stuff! I love Bob and Jim, but it’s fun to hear other announcers talk about the Kings…unless it’s the Ducks guys. Couldn’t even get people’s names right…Nordstrom…ugh.

    [Reply]

    Shakes Reply:
    August 26th, 2010 at 11:55 am

    @Matt R,

    It’s a fun topic actually, i think we had a thread about this a while back, but Center Ice has been a great for being exposed to other announcers:

    Faves:
    1) Dallas
    2) San Jose

    Worst
    1) Might Shmucks – honestly even if i wasn’t a Kings fan my view would be the same
    2) Columbus – “Ahn-zeee Kopitar with the push”…’nuff said

    [Reply]

    Luuuuuuuuuuc! Reply:
    August 26th, 2010 at 12:55 pm

    @Shakes,

    Uh, what???? Randy and Drew are amongst the most blatant homers you will ever hear. Aside from the obvious examples of course. God I hate the Sharks.

    [Reply]

    KC23 Reply:
    August 26th, 2010 at 2:32 pm

    @Luuuuuuuuuuc!,

    I agree, Sharks announcers are horrible. Duck announcers are still the champs of bad play by play. Calgary, Torono and Vancouver also very bad.

    Detroit, Dallas, NY Islanders and New Jersey have excellent announcers imho.

    Miller still the best without question.

    Bonvivant1 Reply:
    August 26th, 2010 at 3:47 pm

    @Luuuuuuuuuuc!,

    I’ve got to give props to Darrel Raugh. He’s the Dallas color commentator. His use of adverbs and adjectives to describe plays on the ice is second to none. He’s hilarious.

  14. PVKings says:
    August 26, 2010 at 10:30 am

    Can someone please televise the games in Alberta…we will all miss out on those games since no one seems to want to cover those so we can watch them

    [Reply]

    sstephen17 Reply:
    August 26th, 2010 at 11:12 am

    @PVKings, Yeah, what’s the deal with that? I’m hoping this year that there aren’t too many (or none at all) games that I can’t watch on FSN, Vs, NBC, or NHL Network. Being a season ticket holder, it’s hard to justify getting the Center Ice package since I’d attend all the home games and most of of the road games are carried by FSN.

    [Reply]

    Luuuuuuuuuuc! Reply:
    August 26th, 2010 at 1:00 pm

    @sstephen17,

    I would just add that Center Ice is pretty key for catching compelling games that come up every now and then. No desire to see a battle for an 8 seed on a night the kings have off? I have it on every night of the week, whether I’m watching it or not.

    And no I don’t work for them…

    [Reply]

  15. TB says:
    August 26, 2010 at 10:31 am

    Kudos to the business side of the Kings…aside from the on ice product, they’ve delivered on their goals of becoming a major hockey market! Now if we could find a way to keep ticket prices down with all the high demand… Ugh!

    [Reply]

  16. Mike says:
    August 26, 2010 at 10:35 am

    Are we going to miss the road games up in Canada like we have been for the past few seasons again? THAT’S what I’m more concerned about.

    [Reply]

    poe Reply:
    August 26th, 2010 at 11:34 am

    @Mike, yes,yes,yes!!! I go to all the home games..it’s the road games, especially those in Canada trhat I want broadcast either Versus or Fox

    [Reply]

    jamesonafterawain Reply:
    August 26th, 2010 at 12:21 pm

    @Mike, Try satalite service, it’s an extra addion to the center ice for ‘out of market games, but I don’t remeber missing a single game here in San Diego. 1 or 2 close calls tho. And a few not in HD.

    [Reply]

  17. pr0cess says:
    August 26, 2010 at 10:49 am

    Um i said this yesterday… no one loves me is all

    [Reply]

  18. Sebastian says:
    August 26, 2010 at 10:54 am

    NICE! maybe i wont need nhl center ice?

    [Reply]

  19. Capt Jam says:
    August 26, 2010 at 11:03 am

    It’s sad to know that, after all these years, Bob Miller won’t get to broadcast the moment the Kings finally win the Cup.

    [Reply]

  20. ColoKingFan says:
    August 26, 2010 at 11:03 am

    living in CO I could not be happier about this.. i got to see only a handful of games last year and one in person, this year i get 2 in person and 17 on TV (without having to go to the bar)!!!

    [Reply]

    Waxieman Reply:
    August 27th, 2010 at 3:31 am

    @ColoKingFan,

    Get center ice, you can watch all the games. You probably spend as much at the bar as a season of center ice costs.

    [Reply]

  21. blckbsct says:
    August 26, 2010 at 11:21 am

    This is very bueno news for me. Living in Seattle I didn’t always get the chance to watch every game. True Miller and Fox do a great job, but have you ever watched a game on CBC? Announcers are not biased *cough* Hayward *cough* and they have in depth coverage not shown on NBC. Either way great news for the Kings!

    [Reply]

  22. KH says:
    August 26, 2010 at 11:24 am

    If one of these national television channels is showing the game the same night that FSN is won’t they game be blacked out on the national television channel and shown on FSN only? (not a bad thing by the way just curious)

    [Reply]

  23. KH says:
    August 26, 2010 at 11:30 am

    Hey rich do you know what number Willie Mitchell will be wearing?

    [Reply]

  24. Jadedtool says:
    August 26, 2010 at 11:45 am

    @Matt R
    I’m with you on the Ducks announcers. They are the most biased jackholes in the league. That’s one of the many reasouns why Bob Miller is the best in the biz, cause he calls games from both sides of the glass. “and we’ll lose a puck and gain a face-off” BARF! God I hate those guys! And you’re right, they mispronounce too many players’
    names.

    [Reply]

  25. rjb says:
    August 26, 2010 at 11:54 am

    #8

    Kings just traded Doughty to NJ for Parise

    LOL

    [Reply]

  26. Pumpernicholl says:
    August 26, 2010 at 11:55 am

    The Doughty factor I’m sure plays into the increased Kings coverage nationally. Everyone wants to see more of this guy after the Olympics and the Norris nomination.

    [Reply]

  27. tuan jim says:
    August 26, 2010 at 12:11 pm

    Please, when we’re on national TV and playing in front of God and everybody, let us not skate over our dicks. Please.

    [Reply]

    We B Ilya'n Reply:
    August 27th, 2010 at 8:15 am

    @tuan jim,
    That should be “skating over our Willies.”

    [Reply]

  28. andrew says:
    August 26, 2010 at 12:28 pm

    How are sports fans supposed to take the NHL seriously when the season opener will be broadcast on a Thursday at 9 am PST?

    [Reply]

  29. FKA PakiFro says:
    August 26, 2010 at 12:30 pm

    Hey Rich — What do you think of this?

    http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/NHL-teams-want-bloggers-banned-from-visitors-lo?urn=nhl-265328

    I don’t think the NHL should limit its exposure, whehter its a blogger or not. Maybe a set of rules, such as they should avoid childish behavior (like attending a fire Sather rally?)

    [Reply]

    BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
    August 26th, 2010 at 2:22 pm

    @FKA PakiFro,

    Blogging is a flood that those negative policy teams are trying to stop with one outstretched finger, without the dike…

    –More power to them, Big Bootie!
    (John Worfin/BB in the Eighth Dimension)

    [Reply]

  30. Mark C. says:
    August 26, 2010 at 12:52 pm

    When you win you get exposure, simple as that…

    [Reply]

    USHA#17 Reply:
    August 26th, 2010 at 5:50 pm

    @Mark C.,

    Hey, if the club is good enough to be dissed by Cherry then you know the club has arrived.

    Cherry use to hold LA is such contempt that they weren’t even worth his on air insults.

    [Reply]

  31. Buster says:
    August 26, 2010 at 2:16 pm

    What is this NBC thing that I keep hearing about?

    [Reply]

    pr0cess Reply:
    August 26th, 2010 at 2:28 pm

    @Buster, 2 KINGS GAMES ARE GOING TO BE ON NBC THIS YEAR. hope that helps….

    [Reply]

  32. Christian A. says:
    August 26, 2010 at 2:17 pm

    Well, that’s good to hear that we’re getting some Nationally Televised games.

    But my question is this: WHEN WILL THE KINGS EVER GET A LOCAL OVER-THE-AIR TV CONTRACT AGAIN?!?!

    The Kings haven’t played on OTA TV since they played on KCAL-9 back in the 1998-1999 season.

    [Reply]

    pr0cess Reply:
    August 26th, 2010 at 2:42 pm

    @Christian A., Kcal is ducks channel now isnt it…

    [Reply]

    luc20rules Reply:
    August 26th, 2010 at 6:20 pm

    @pr0cess, Ducks have non FSN/Prime games shown on the KIA of OTA stations U-56 usually sandwiched between episodes of Blossom reruns.
    Really I’m serious.

    [Reply]

    R.E.M. Murray Reply:
    August 26th, 2010 at 4:09 pm

    @Christian A.,
    So you wouldn’t mind having Kings games preempted by the? Because you know the Lakers come before the Kings when it comes down to ratings.

    [Reply]

  33. Real 9 says:
    August 26, 2010 at 3:08 pm

    projected roster for Kings 2010-11
    [I'm sure some of the numbers will be different]

    goalies
    32 Quick, Jonathan
    45 Bernier, Jonathan

    forwards
    11 Kopitar, Anze
    14 Williams, Justin
    94 Smyth, Ryan
    28 Stoll, Jarrett
    23 Brown, Dustin
    27 Ponikarovsky, Alexei
    26 Handzus, Michal
    17 Simmonds, Wayne
    53 Parse, Scott
    15 Richardson, Brad
    09 Moller, Oscar
    55 Schenn, Brayden
    53 Clune, Rich
    33 Westgarth, Kevin

    defensemen
    08 Doughty, Drew
    03 Johnson, Jack
    07 Scuderi, Rob
    21 Mitchell, Willie
    02 Greene, Matt
    06 Fransson, Johann
    22 Muzzin, Jake
    44 Drewiske, Davis

    [Reply]

  34. Arthur R. says:
    August 26, 2010 at 3:10 pm

    This must mean a Kovy signing is coming!!!

    [Reply]

    USHA#17 Reply:
    August 26th, 2010 at 5:35 pm

    @Arthur R.,

    Hopefully a deportation order signing.

    [Reply]

  35. KingzzFan says:
    August 26, 2010 at 3:21 pm

    @Real 9, your gonna need to shed 2 of these guys. Roster of 22. Green can come off for the start of the season until healthythen Fransson, Muzzin and Drewiski can fight it out to see who goes. Then Moller Schen and Clune will have to duke it out to see who goes.

    [Reply]

  36. USHA#17 says:
    August 26, 2010 at 5:46 pm

    Fransson and Westgarth; I don’t think they will stick. \

    Shenn; I would be surprised if he didn’t stick.

    We may see Clifford rather then Moller.

    I like Moller, a lot but think needs more shift to shift intensity to counter lack of size. And even then it might be tough for him come playoff time.

    [Reply]

  37. markisonfire says:
    August 26, 2010 at 6:38 pm

    It is honestly a great time to be a Kings fan. First time I’ve felt comfortable saying that since… I dunno, 2000-ish.

    [Reply]

  38. ideeho spud says:
    August 26, 2010 at 7:31 pm

    NBC? what about tim ryan,ted lindsay and brian Mcfarlane on CBS?big baloney sandwitch and a few quarts
    of Hamm’s beer.west and wewaxation.hurry up oktober.

    [Reply]

  39. Kingsfanone says:
    August 26, 2010 at 10:36 pm

    The only bad thing about the Kings getting more national exposure again since Gretzky came here is I won’t get to hear Bob & Jim announce every game. Jim is a nice foil for Bob, and as for Bob, well, he is simply the finest announcer in hockey.

    If I can’t get Bob & Jim for a game, then the next best is Nick & Daryl. TV on mute and radio on. Daryl remains one of my all time favs, and he loves the same restaurant I do, so I get to pick his brain or just say hi often.

    [Reply]

  40. Sincethe70s says:
    August 31, 2010 at 9:14 am

    Exposure comes from winning. They had exposure in the 90′s when Gretzky was here. Your not gonna win until you get the talent, your not gonna get the talent unless you open up the purse strings, other than building through the draft. When is Philip Anshultz ( who is a billionare) going to share the wealth instead of putting his greed first? That goes for Leiweike too who manages things for Philip. How are the Kings improved over last year other than the experience they gained in the playoffs? Marginally if you ask me. Although I don’t necessarily like Kovalchuks attitude either, can anybody argue that the Kings would have an excellent chance at winning the cup if he was on the team? They need scoring!
    I also feel sorrow if Bob Millar can’t announce all the games, let alone the playoffs.

    [Reply]

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