NHL, Versus Could Implement Puck Tracking Next Season
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Versus May Utilize Puck-Tracking Technology
For NHL Broadcasts Next Season |
NHL and Versus execs indicated that they are “talking about introducing ‘puck-tracking’ technology as early as the 2008-09 season," according to Michael McCarthy of USA TODAY. Versus Exec Producer Marty Ehrlich, who has been "pushing for a new puck-tracking system with NHL executives," said that if Versus “gets the OK, it would test puck tracking on its studio show before trying it during a game.” McCarthy reports there would “not be any computer chips embedded in pucks, at least at first.” But Ehrlich is aware puck tracking is "still a sore subject with hockey purists.” Ehrlich: “There’s people who looked at it as a great success at Fox. A lot looked at it as a dismal failure.” NHL Senior VP/Programming John Shannon said that the league is “open to another attempt at puck tracking -- as long as it doesn’t compromise the integrity of the game.” Shannon: “The one thing you have to admire is Fox’s ingenuity at the time. It was great promotion for the game.” Fox used a glowing puck to track its location when it had NHL network TV rights from '96-98 (USA TODAY, 5/12).
IN THE STARS? Versus’ coverage of the Stars-Red Wings Western Conference Finals Game One on Thursday earned a 1.1 HH rating in the Dallas-Ft. Worth market. In Dallas, Barry Horn wrote, “To most folks in [the market], Versus is a foreign concept,” and the 6:30pm CT start time “didn’t help.” The game earned a 8.9 rating in Detroit (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 5/10). TSN’s coverage of Stars-Red Wings Game One was watched by 703,000 viewers, down 18% from 860,000 for Game One of last year’s Ducks-Red Wings Western Conference Finals, which aired on a Friday (GLOBE & MAIL, 5/10).
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