The NHL returned Saturday with "new-look television broadcasts that included slick yet subtle changes, creating a fresh visual product that was noticeably different at times and downright quirky at others," according to Gregory Strong of the CP. With no spectators in attendance at Scotiabank Arena or Rogers Place, "large screens and lights around the lower bowls created a look that was part television studio and part video game." NHL-branded tarps "covered empty seat sections and 'augmented audio' was used to replicate a crowd soundbed." NBC broadcaster Brian Boucher was at "ice level but provided commentary from a Plexiglas-contained area between the benches." EA Sports is "helping with simulated crowd noise and producers tried it early by adding it during the national anthems." But the "odd inclusion was quickly forgotten once the action began as the audio bed meshed nicely with the play." Intermission interviews were done "Zoom-style to avoid unnecessary in-person interaction." Sportsnet offered some "minor differences" for its opening Oilers-Blackhawks game later in the afternoon. Camera angles "seemed more varied and the additional in-arena screens were featured more often." The road team "felt the love in both venues" as "faux celebrations -- regardless of which team scored -- included blaring horns, enhanced cheering and images of team supporters whooping it up on the scoreboard" (CP, 8/1).
ONE SIZE DOESN'T FIT ALL: In Boston, Chad Finn wrote for NESN's Jack Edwards and Andy Brickley, the "all-12" camera angle provided by NBC to local broadcasters calling games remotely "wasn’t of much help." Edwards said the "all-12" camera is designed to serve two purposes: "For us to see the entire ice so if a team pulls its goalie on a delayed penalty or at the end of the game, we can clearly see it. And to get the game clock on the screen." But Finn wrote the NBC feed "panned so far back" that "nothing on the ice was as clear as it needed to be." Edwards: "It's nearly impossible to identify the players from a shot that's 200 feet wide. ... For our play-by-play purposes, it has got to be a tighter shot." Finn noted NBC is "expected to be flexible with the requests it receives from regional cable networks about adjusting the feeds." Also, NESN "can tailor the feed with its own graphics and other visual elements" (BOSTON GLOBE, 8/2).
OBSTRUCTED VIEWING: In Denver, Mike Chambers noted the Avalanche's three round-robin pre-tournament games, which began yesterday against the Blues, are being "blacked out locally" by NBCSN. Thus, games will "only be available on Altitude," the team-owned RSN that is not currently offered by Comcast or Dish Network. DirecTV is the only major Colorado provider that carries Altitude. It is "unclear if Altitude and NBC will both carry Avalanche games when the traditional 16-team, best-of-seven tournament begins Aug. 11, and if blackouts may apply" (DENVER POST, 8/1).
