CBC Down In Viewers For NHL All-Star Game, Skills Competition

The CBC’s broadcast of Sunday’s NHL All-Star Game drew 1.163 million viewers, down from 1.31 million in ’07, while Saturday's SuperSkills Competition was seen by 1.030 million viewers, down from 1.096 million a year ago, according to William Houston (Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 1/29).

NHL Eyeing Changes To All-Star Game

HO-HUM HOCKEY: TSN's "HNIC" Radio host Jeff Marek said of the All-Star Game:  "I've seen shinny games that were more aggressive than that. The thing that disappoints me is, the all-star game is supposed to attract new fans, casual fans. But it presents an entirely different product than what the NHL game is." TSN's Glenn Healy said that the NHL, "concerned about the quality of the all-star game, is pondering changes." Healy: "They wouldn't say it publicly, but I know privately they're scratching their heads to figure out how to make the game competitive" (Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 1/29). In Montreal, Pat Hickey writes the CBC “reflected the game itself. It was a low-key telecast and the guys in the booth seemed embarrassed to be part of the show.” Analyst Greg Millen did “become animated in the third period when he excitedly announced that someone actually delivered a hit, but he quickly amended his comment and said it was more like incidental contact” (Montreal GAZETTE, 1/29).

IF A GAME IS PLAYED...: When asked whether he was “surprised” the East beat the West in the NHL All-Star Game, ESPN’s Tony Kornheiser said, “Surprised in the sense that I didn’t know the NHL All-Star Game was on television. I missed it completely” (“PTI,” ESPN, 1/28).