NBC Sports Exec Producer Sam Flood said he has "always pushed back on having a cable cam at the Winter Classic," but for this year's Capitals-Penguins game at Heinz Field, he "decided to do it, to add a twist to it," according to a Q&A with Greg Wyshynski of YAHOO SPORTS. The following is a portion of the interview.
Q: Does the NFL contract with NBC create any new tie-ins with the Classic and the NHL?
Flood: The only synergy we have is that the cable cam will be left there from the Thursday night game from NFL Network. ... I knew I didn't want one in Buffalo because I wanted clear shots from the plane. So I'll have to work closely with the director (this year) because I don't want the cable cam in the shot.
Q: How does the HBO "24/7" show fit in with [the] storytelling? Do you plan on bringing that narrative into the Winter Classic coverage?
Flood: Yes. They're actually going to do an element in the pregame. We're going to play off of that for some different twist. Not a summary; something real, that reminds us how real hockey can get.
Q: From an NBC perspective, what we've found interesting is the way you've gone from having three or four viable television teams to about eight or nine options.
Flood: Our goal all along is to try and broaden the national teams and to sell stories about those teams and players. To tie those together so there's a rooting interest for or against every team in the NHL.
Q: Are you aware of the complaints from fans about seeing "the same three teams over and over again" on NBC?
Flood: They can complain. We're trying to do what's best for the League and growing the game, and I think that's what we've done during this contract.
Q: What are your thoughts on 3D for hockey on TV?
Flood: I'd like to see the number of TVs purchased before we go there. I'm not sure what the value is (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 12/21).
