The NHL officially announced a four-year broadcast
agreement with the CBC for national English language
broadcast rights in Canada. The agreement takes effect at
the start of next season. The NHL also reached agreement
with Labatt Breweries of Canada for title sponsorship of the
package, including regular season and playoff games, as well
as the All-Star Game (NHL). In Toronto, James Christie
writes that "a new name may have to be found" for the
Saturday night broadcasts, as Molson, a Labatt rival, owns
the "Hockey Night in Canada" name. Christie adds that
meetings are "already being planned to see whether there is
some way the long-standing title can remain for the Saturday
telecasts." NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman "would not say"
what the deal is worth, but said that, overall, Canadian NHL
rights for the CBC, cable and French-language telecasts
"would have a value" of $300M. Bettman: "It's a healthy
increase, but it's not a windfall. It is what we think the
market value is for the rights" (GLOBE & MAIL, 11/13). Etan
Vlessing of the HOLLYWOOD REPORTER reports industry sources
"indicate the deal will be worth" C$75M, about US$55M,
annually over four years (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, 11/13). In
Toronto, Dave Fuller writes that the deal is "worth in
excess of" C$300M. Announcers Don Cherry, Ron McLean, Harry
Neale and Bob Cole "will all be back next year," but the
production staff "will change" (TORONTO SUN, 11/13).
