The Hardest-Working Paper in America | 
Tuesday, April 16, 2024
Blackhawks Sports

Gary Bettman explains why some TV viewers won't get Stanley Cup Final games

By  Dan Cahill
   
SHARE Gary Bettman explains why some TV viewers won't get Stanley Cup Final games

It’s that time again when you settle into your favorite chair to watch the Blackhawks in the Stanley Cup Final, click on the remote and WHAT!? Where’s the game?

Per the NHL’s agreement with NBC, two of the Stanley Cup Final games have to be on the NBC Sports Network. Not a big deal if you’re one of about 80 million households that has NBCSN in your cable package. But, if you’re one of the 35 million or so that doesn’t, you had better head to your local bar Games 3 and 4.

Appearing on The Score (WSCR-670 AM) on the “Mully & Hanley” show, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman explained:

It’s not available in all homes, but most. And the fact of the matter is NBC has done a terrific job in promoting, scheduling, broadcasting the games on both NBC and NBC Sports Network. I think we had our highest rated ever Game 2 on Saturday night. And as part of the package, we made with NBC three years ago, for the first time ever in America all playoff games were on national TV. In terms of give and take, it was important to NBC to put a couple of the Final games on the NBC Sports network. It’s something we’ll continue to look at over time. Basically everyone can get it with cable or satellite TV.

Blackhawks fans might recall a similar problem during the Stanley Cup Final runs in 2010 (remember Versus) and 2013.

Next Up In Chicago Blackhawks
Projecting the Blackhawks’ 2022-23 defense: Caleb Jones’ free-agency fate is an ‘X’-factor
Blackhawks fall to Flames; MacKenzie Entwistle injured, Lukas Reichel sent down
Derek King’s patience, honesty and humor have helped Blackhawks endure difficult season
Investigation into NHLPA’s handling of Kyle Beach’s sexual-assault allegations raises more questions than it answers
Lukas Reichel earns first NHL point, burns first contract year in Blackhawks’ loss to Predators
Blackhawks’ Kirby Dach out with sprained right shoulder as challenging season nears end
The Latest
Whitey Herzog
MLB
Whitey Herzog, Cardinals' Hall of Fame manager who led team to World Series title, dies at 92
Herzog guided St. Louis to three pennants and a World Series title in the 1980s and perfected an intricate, nail-biting strategy known as “Whiteyball.”
By Associated Press
 
Taylor Swift performs at Soldier Field, Friday, June 2, 2023.
Entertainment and Culture
Taylor Swift Chicago QR code mural links to 'Tortured Poets' YouTube short
When people scanned the code with their phone cameras, it took them to a 13 second YouTube short attached to Swift’s page.
By USA Today Network
 
1P0A7325.jpg
Columnists
Joffrey production of "Midsummer Night's Dream" includes humble dried plant in a starring role
The play uses “hay” — actually raffia, derived from palm leaves — to cover the stage for each performance.
By Neil Steinberg
 
Ald. Debra Silverstein (50th) pictured at an October City Council meeting.
Chicago
Mayor hosts forum to combat antisemitism and other forms of hate, but some invitees skip meeting
About 20 elected officials and community organizers discussed ways the city can combat antisemitism, though attendees said it was just the start of the conversation. Ald. Debra Silverstein (50th) said the gesture was ‘hollow.’
By Violet Miller
 
The Catherine Cook School in the 49th ChicagoPride Parade. | Rick Majewski/For the Sun-Times.
LGBTQIA+
Chicago Pride Parade denies all previous year's school participants
All schools that participated in the 2023 Pride Parade were denied entry this year, and teachers see irony in exclusion from “one of the most inclusive places that you can go.”
By Mariah Rush