Economy, Newspaper Cutbacks Will Reduce NHL Coverage In U.S.

U.S. Papers Cutting Back On NHL Coverage

The current economic climate "combined with cutbacks in the newspaper business will reduce the level of print coverage given" to the NHL in certain U.S. markets this season, according to William Houston of the GLOBE & MAIL. The Palm Beach Post will "discontinue staff coverage" of the NHL Panthers, instead deciding to "focus its resources" on the Dolphins, Heat and Marlins. Former Panthers beat writer Brian Biggane has been moved to the Dolphins' beat. Additionally, the L.A. Times "has chosen to use just one beat reporter to cover" both the Kings and Ducks, and "will not staff road games for either [team] on a regular basis." L.A. Times Sports Editor Randy Harvey in an e-mail said reporters will "travel selectively, probably not early in the season." Meanwhile, Philadelphia Inquirer hockey writer Tim Panaccio this month "accepted a buyout after he was taken off the Flyers beat" and assigned to the Eagles. Panaccio said that Inquirer Sports Editor Jim Cohen told him hockey was "an irrelevant sport." However, Houston notes both the Inquirer and the Philadelphia Daily News still "are expected to staff the Flyers' home and away games." The Washington Post "will give home and away coverage to the Capitals, but a reduction in section space might result in fewer stories." The N.Y. Times "will continue to focus most of its attention on the Rangers," and Sports Editor Tom Jolly in an e-mail said that the paper "will pick its spots" with regards to covering road games (GLOBE & MAIL, 9/30).

STREAM WEAVER: An NBC spokesperson said that the net, which this season will air up to 25 regular-season and playoff NHL games, "is looking at the prospect of streaming its NHL telecasts but has not made a final decision." Versus officials said that the net, which will air 56 regular-season NHL games this season, "has no plans to stream telecasts on Versus.com." NHL VP/Direct & Database Marketing Perry Cooper said that the league also "is putting the final touches on a major marketing push for the Center Ice TV package" (MULTICHANNEL NEWS, 9/29 issue).