TSN "is locked in a restless set of negotiations" with
the NHL to replace its contract which expires at the end of
the season, according to Rob Longley of the TORONTO SUN.
The "looming presence of CTV's yet-to-be launched all-sports
channel, CTV Sports Net, is the big reason for concern."
One Canadian TV exec: "It may not happen, but TSN is in some
danger of losing (the NHL)." One-fifth of CTV Sports Net is
owned by Fox Sports Net, and Longley writes that "it isn't
difficult to see why [NHL Commissioner Gary] Bettman would
be attracted to a symbiotic relationship that would see Fox
as its national broadcaster in the U.S. and have cable
interests in both Canada and the U.S." This season, TSN
will cover 35 regular-season games and the first round of
the Stanley Cup playoffs (TORONTO SUN, 11/21).
NAMING RIGHTS: In Toronto, William Houston reports that
sources say Molson will make the moniker "Hockey Night in
Canada" available to Labatt Breweries for "a price." Molson
"would probably allow" Labatt to use the name "Hockey Night
in Canada," but only if Labatt agreed "not to attach its
name to the title." The show has been called Molson's
"Hockey Night in Canada" (GLOBE & MAIL, 11/21).
