In DC, Dan Steinberg reported Capitals game broadcasts "will return" to WJFK-FM this season, making the team's play-by-play "more accessible on FM radio." After several years on WJFK, Caps games "moved to" WFED-AM last season. When they "conflicted with other programming there, games were available exclusively on Caps Radio 24/7, the team's online streaming service." But after fans "complained about the lack of an FM option, the team struck a midseason deal" with WWDC-FM. Caps games will "exclusively air on Caps Radio 24/7 when there are conflicts" with WJFK, "including for Saturday's home opener, which runs simultaneous to Game 2 of the Nationals-Cubs playoff series" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 10/4).
IN THE DARK: In Las Vegas, Ed Graney notes Cox, the city's largest cable provider, "still doesn't offer" AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain, which will show the Golden Knights. That blame "lies directly at the skates of the Knights, because that's where fans will rightly place it." Graney: "They're all that matters when you're an NHL team needing support as you navigate expansion waters of guaranteed losing for the immediate future." When the Knights partnered with AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain, they "knew Cox didn't offer the channel." The team "should have done anything possible to ensure this initial TV debut included a provider that has a channel on both Cox and DirecTV." Graney: "The Knights haven't played a real game yet ... and they're about to potentially alienate this large a percentage of people being asked to follow and cheer and financially support them?" (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 10/5).
PUCK CONTROL: BAMTech is rolling out new features in the NHL mobile and TV apps alongside the start of the season. In the NHL mobile app, fans will now have live DVR functionality and a new game preview feature for iOS that showcases head-to-head team stats and team point leaders. The app, through integration with Ticketmaster’s mobile technology, will also allow fans to view, resell and share tickets directly from the app. For the NHL.TV app, fans will be able to customize the app to their favorite team, with all-new team pages and team video content (Ian Thomas, Staff Writer).
