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==Lawsuit==
  
==Lawsuit==
−
Shortly after the ESPN deal was signed, SportsChannel America would contend that its contract with the NHL gave them the right to match third-party offers for television rights for the [[1992–93 NHL season|1992–93 season]]. SportsChannel America accused the NHL of violating a nonbinding clause. SportsChannel America argued that it had been deprived of its contractual right of first refusal for the 1992–93 season. Appellate Division of New York State Supreme Court justice Shirley Fingerwood would deny SportsChannel America's request for an injunction against the NHL. Upholding that opinion, the appellate court found the agreement on which SportsChannel based its argument to be "too imprecise and ambiguous" and ruled that SportsChannel failed to show irreparable harm.
 +
Shortly after the ESPN deal was signed, SportsChannel America contended that its contract with the NHL gave them the right to match third-party offers for television rights for the [[1992–93 NHL season|1992–93 season]]. SportsChannel America accused the NHL of violating a nonbinding clause. SportsChannel America argued that it had been deprived of its contractual right of first refusal for the 1992–93 season. Appellate Division of New York State Supreme Court justice Shirley Fingerwood denied SportsChannel America's request for an injunction against the NHL. Upholding that opinion, the appellate court found the agreement on which SportsChannel based its argument to be "too imprecise and ambiguous" and ruled that SportsChannel failed to show irreparable harm.
   
 
==Coverage overview==
  
==Coverage overview==
 
===Regular season coverage===
  
===Regular season coverage===
−
SportsChannel America would televise about 80–100 games a season (whereas ESPN aired about 33 in from 1985–88). Whereas the previous deal with ESPN called for only one nationally televised game per week, SportsChannel America televised hockey two nights/week in NHL cities and three nights a week elsewhere.
 +
SportsChannel America televised about 80–100 games a season (whereas ESPN aired about 33 in from 1985–88). Whereas the previous deal with ESPN called for only one nationally televised game per week, SportsChannel America televised hockey two nights a week in NHL cities and three nights a week elsewhere.
   
 
It was very rare to have a regular-season game on SportsChannel America that wasn't a regional SportsChannel production from the [[Chicago Blackhawks]], [[Hartford Whalers]], [[New Jersey Devils]], [[New York Islanders]], or [[Philadelphia Flyers]]. The [[San Jose Sharks]] were added in {{nhly|1991}}. As previously suggested, SportsChannel America for the most part, used the local telecasts. The dedicated SportsChannel America station was little more than an overflow channel in the New York area for SportsChannel New York.
  
It was very rare to have a regular-season game on SportsChannel America that wasn't a regional SportsChannel production from the [[Chicago Blackhawks]], [[Hartford Whalers]], [[New Jersey Devils]], [[New York Islanders]], or [[Philadelphia Flyers]]. The [[San Jose Sharks]] were added in {{nhly|1991}}. As previously suggested, SportsChannel America for the most part, used the local telecasts. The dedicated SportsChannel America station was little more than an overflow channel in the New York area for SportsChannel New York.
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!Teams
  
!Teams
 
![[Play-by-play]]
  
![[Play-by-play]]
−
![[Color commentator]]
 +
![[Color commentator]](s)
 
|-
  
|-
 
| rowspan="4" |[[1989 Stanley Cup playoffs|1989]]
  
| rowspan="4" |[[1989 Stanley Cup playoffs|1989]]
 
|[[Bruins–Canadiens rivalry|Montréal-Boston]]
  
|[[Bruins–Canadiens rivalry|Montréal-Boston]]
 
|[[Rick Peckham]]
  
|[[Rick Peckham]]
−
|[[Gerry Cheevers]]
 +
|[[Denis Potvin]]
 
|-
  
|-
 
|[[Flyers–Penguins rivalry|Pittsburgh-Philadelphia]] (Games 1–5 aired on tape delay)
  
|[[Flyers–Penguins rivalry|Pittsburgh-Philadelphia]] (Games 1–5 aired on tape delay)
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|[[Bruins–Canadiens rivalry|Boston-Montréal]] (Games 1–2 aired on tape delay)
  
|[[Bruins–Canadiens rivalry|Boston-Montréal]] (Games 1–2 aired on tape delay)
 
|[[Mike Emrick]]
  
|[[Mike Emrick]]
−
|[[Bill Clement]]
 +
|[[Bill Clement]] (Games 1–2, 4–5)<br>[[Peter McNab]] (Game 3)
 
|-
  
|-
 
|[[Capitals–Rangers rivalry|New York Rangers-Washington]] (Games 3–5 aired on tape delay)
  
|[[Capitals–Rangers rivalry|New York Rangers-Washington]] (Games 3–5 aired on tape delay)
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|[[Dale Tallon]]
  
|[[Dale Tallon]]
 
|-
  
|-
−
|[[1991–92 Vancouver Canucks season|Vancouver]]-[[1991–92 Edmonton Oilers season|Edmonton]] (Games 1–4 used [[Hockey Night in Canada|CBC]]'s feed; Games 3–4 were joined-in-progress)
 +
|[[1991–92 Vancouver Canucks season|Vancouver]]-[[1991–92 Edmonton Oilers season|Edmonton]] (Games 1–4 used [[Hockey Night in Canada|CBC]]s feed; Games 3–4 were joined-in-progress)
 
|[[Chris Cuthbert]] (Games 1–4)<br>[[Pat Foley]] (Games 5–6)
  
|[[Chris Cuthbert]] (Games 1–4)<br>[[Pat Foley]] (Games 5–6)
 
|[[Harry Neale]] (Games 1–4)<br>[[Dale Tallon]] (Games 5–6)
  
|[[Harry Neale]] (Games 1–4)<br>[[Dale Tallon]] (Games 5–6)
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!Teams
  
!Teams
 
![[Play-by-play]]
  
![[Play-by-play]]
−
![[Color commentator]]
 +
![[Color commentator]](s)
  +
!Ice level reporters
 
|-
  
|-
 
| rowspan="2" |[[1989 Stanley Cup playoffs|1989]]
  
| rowspan="2" |[[1989 Stanley Cup playoffs|1989]]
−
|[[1988–89 Montreal Canadiens season|Montreal]]-[[1988–89 Philadelphia Flyers season|Philadelphia]]
 +
|[[1988–89 Montreal Canadiens season|Montréal]]-[[1988–89 Philadelphia Flyers season|Philadelphia]]
 
|[[Mike Emrick]]
  
|[[Mike Emrick]]
 
|[[Bill Clement]]
  
|[[Bill Clement]]
 
|-
  
|-
−
|[[1988–89 Calgary Flames season|Calgary]]-[[1988–89 Chicago Blackhawks season|Chicago]]
 +
|[[1988–89 Calgary Flames season|Calgary]]-[[1988–89 Chicago Blackhawks season|Chicago]]
 
|[[Jiggs McDonald]]
  
|[[Jiggs McDonald]]
 
|[[Herb Brooks]]
  
|[[Herb Brooks]]
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|[[Jiggs McDonald]]
  
|[[Jiggs McDonald]]
 
|[[Bill Clement]]
  
|[[Bill Clement]]
  ⚫
|''[[John Davidson]]''
 
|-
  
|-
−
|[[1989–90 Edmonton Oilers season|Edmonton]]-[[1989-90 Chicago Blackhawks season|Chicago]]
 +
|[[1989–90 Edmonton Oilers season|Edmonton]]-[[1989-90 Chicago Blackhawks season|Chicago]]
 
|[[Pat Foley]]
  
|[[Pat Foley]]
 
|[[Dale Tallon]]
  
|[[Dale Tallon]]
 
|-
  
|-
 
| rowspan="2" |[[1991 Stanley Cup playoffs|1991]]
  
| rowspan="2" |[[1991 Stanley Cup playoffs|1991]]
−
|[[1990–91 Boston Bruins season|Boston]]-[[1990–91 Pittsburgh Penguins season|Pittsburgh]]
 +
|[[1990–91 Boston Bruins season|Boston]]-[[1990–91 Pittsburgh Penguins season|Pittsburgh]]
 
|[[Jiggs McDonald]]
  
|[[Jiggs McDonald]]
 
|[[John Davidson]]
  
|[[John Davidson]]
 
|-
  
|-
−
|[[1990–91 Edmonton Oilers season|Edmonton]]-[[1990–91 Minnesota North Stars season|Minnesota]]
 +
|[[1990–91 Edmonton Oilers season|Edmonton]]-[[1990–91 Minnesota North Stars season|Minnesota]]
 
|[[Mike Emrick]]
  
|[[Mike Emrick]]
 
|[[Bill Clement]]
  
|[[Bill Clement]]
 
|-
  
|-
 
| rowspan="2" |[[1992 Stanley Cup playoffs|1992]]
  
| rowspan="2" |[[1992 Stanley Cup playoffs|1992]]
−
|[[1991–92 Pittsburgh Penguins season|Pittsburgh]]-[[1991–92 Boston Bruins season|Boston]]
 +
|[[1991–92 Pittsburgh Penguins season|Pittsburgh]]-[[1991–92 Boston Bruins season|Boston]]
 
|[[Jiggs McDonald]]
  
|[[Jiggs McDonald]]
 
|[[Bill Clement]]
  
|[[Bill Clement]]
  ⚫
|''[[John Davidson]]''
 
|-
  
|-
−
|[[1991–92 Chicago Blackhawks season|Chicago]]-[[1991–92 Edmonton Oilers season|Edmonton]]
 +
|[[1991–92 Chicago Blackhawks season|Chicago]]-[[1991–92 Edmonton Oilers season|Edmonton]]
 
|[[Pat Foley]]
  
|[[Pat Foley]]
 
|[[Dale Tallon]]
  
|[[Dale Tallon]]
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|-
  
|-
 
|[[1989 Stanley Cup Finals|1989]]<ref>{{YouTube|title=SportsChannel America 1989 Stanley Cup Finals Game 6 Intro Theme|id=8Z_xZdtKh3E}}</ref>
 
|[[1989 Stanley Cup Finals|1989]]<ref>{{YouTube|title=SportsChannel America 1989 Stanley Cup Finals Game 6 Intro Theme|id=8Z_xZdtKh3E}}</ref>
−
|[[1988–89 Calgary Flames season|Calgary]]-[[1988–89 Montreal Canadiens season|Montreal]]
 +
|[[1988–89 Calgary Flames season|Calgary]]-[[1988–89 Montreal Canadiens season|Montréal]]
 
|[[Jiggs McDonald]]
  
|[[Jiggs McDonald]]
 
|[[Bill Clement]]
  
|[[Bill Clement]]
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|[[1990–91 Pittsburgh Penguins season|Pittsburgh]]-[[1990–91 Minnesota North Stars season|Minnesota]]
  
|[[1990–91 Pittsburgh Penguins season|Pittsburgh]]-[[1990–91 Minnesota North Stars season|Minnesota]]
 
|[[Jiggs McDonald]]
  
|[[Jiggs McDonald]]
  +
|[[Bill Clement]]
−
|[[Bill Clement]]<ref>{{YouTube|title=5/25/91 - Penguins Win First Stanley Cup (3 - SportsChannel)|id=xeNDuG1qLSU}}</ref>
 +
|[[Mike Emrick]]<ref>{{YouTube|title=5/25/91 - Penguins Win First Stanley Cup (3 - SportsChannel)|id=xeNDuG1qLSU}}</ref>
−
|[[Mike Emrick]]
  
 
| colspan="2" |[[John Davidson]]
  
| colspan="2" |[[John Davidson]]
 
|-
  
|-
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| colspan="2" |[[John Davidson]]
  
| colspan="2" |[[John Davidson]]
 
|}
  
|}
⚫
== Production ==
  
⚫
A fair number of times in their first season, they would use their own production services for games. But very rarely would this sort of practice occur in the last three seasons. Since programming was so sparse otherwise on SportsChannel America, usually the games were replayed immediately following the live telecast.
  
   
  ⚫
==Production==
⚫
For playoff coverage,<ref>{{Cite news|title=Schmidt tries to ease into broadcasting job|newspaper=USA Today|date=April 5, 1990|first=Michael|last=Hiestand|page=3C}}</ref> if any of the aforementioned teams made the playoffs, SportsChannel America would focus on those teams, using their facilities. For example, [[SportsChannel Chicago]] produced the SportsChannel America coverage for the [[1989–90 Chicago Blackhawks season|Blackhawks]]' 1990 playoff run. Because of Hawks owner [[Bill Wirtz]]'s disdain for free and basic cable home telecasts of his games, the road games were shown in Chicago, with the home games only given short live look-ins as "bonus coverage". The same occurrence happened in 1992 only this time, [[1991–92 Chicago Blackhawks season|Blackhawks]]' home games were broadcast on a pay-per-view basis via "[[Hawkvision]]"<ref>{{cite news |last=Wilbon|first=Michael|date=June 1, 1992|title=FOR NHL TO GROW, ZIEGLER'S GOT TO GO|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1992/06/01/for-nhl-to-grow-zieglers-got-to-go/4cca3fce-dabf-4e86-83be-0bc08773d992/|work=Washington Post|location= |access-date= }}</ref>. Sometimes, they would use the [[Hockey Night in Canada|CBC]] feed for other series (the [[Bruins–Canadiens rivalry|Boston Bruins–Montreal Canadiens]] series, for example). For the [[Stanley Cup Finals]], SportsChannel America would use their own facilities. They would also use their own facilities for any Conference Final series that did not involve one of SportsChannel's regional teams. SportsChannel America's [[Master control|master control]] was at a [[Cablevision]] studio in [[Oak Park, Illinois]] with its NHL studios located at [[Adelphi University]] on [[Long Island]].
  
  ⚫
A fair number of times in their first season, they used their own production services for games. But very rarely this sort of practice occured in the last three seasons. Since programming was so sparse otherwise on SportsChannel America, usually the games were replayed immediately after the live telecast.
  +
  ⚫
For playoff coverage,<ref>{{Cite news|title=Schmidt tries to ease into broadcasting job|newspaper=USA Today|date=April 5, 1990|first=Michael|last=Hiestand|page=3C}}</ref> if any of the aforementioned teams made the playoffs, SportsChannel America focus on those teams, using their facilities. For example, [[SportsChannel Chicago]] produced the SportsChannel America coverage for the [[1989–90 Chicago Blackhawks season|Blackhawks]]' 1990 playoff run. Because of Hawks owner [[Bill Wirtz]]'s disdain for free and basic cable home telecasts of his games, the road games were shown in Chicago, with the home games only given short live look-ins as "bonus coverage". The same situation happened in 1992, but this time, [[1991–92 Chicago Blackhawks season|Blackhawks]]' home games were broadcast on a pay-per-view basis via "[[Hawkvision]]"<ref>{{cite news |last=Wilbon|first=Michael|date=June 1, 1992|title=FOR NHL TO GROW, ZIEGLER'S GOT TO GO|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1992/06/01/for-nhl-to-grow-zieglers-got-to-go/4cca3fce-dabf-4e86-83be-0bc08773d992/|work=Washington Post|location= |access-date= }}</ref>. Sometimes, they would use the [[Hockey Night in Canada|CBC]] feed for other series (the [[Bruins–Canadiens rivalry|Boston Bruins–Montréal Canadiens]] series, for example). For the [[Stanley Cup Finals]], SportsChannel America used their own facilities. They also used their own facilities for any Conference Final series that did not involve one of SportsChannel's regional teams. In 1989, both Conference Finals series involved two of SportsChannel's regional teams ([[1988–89 Philadelphia Flyers season|Philadelphia]] and [[1988–89 Chicago Blackhawks season|Chicago]]). However, Hawks owner [[Bill Wirtz]]'s banned home games from televising in [[Chicago]]. So, [[Jiggs McDonald]] and [[Herb Brooks]] called the Clarence Campbell Conference Final between [[1988–89 Calgary Flames season|Calgary]] and [[1988–89 Chicago Blackhawks season|Chicago]] on SportsChannel America. SportsChannel America's [[Master control|master control]] was at a [[Cablevision]] studio in [[Oak Park, Illinois]] with its NHL studios located at [[Adelphi University]] on [[Long Island]].
   
 
John Shannon was the senior producer of ''The NHL on SportsChannel America''.
  
John Shannon was the senior producer of ''The NHL on SportsChannel America''.
   
 
== Announcers ==
  
== Announcers ==
  +
[[Bob Papa]]<ref>{{Cite news|title=Lighter load at ABC doesn't bother McKay|date=April 12, 1990|first=Steve|last=Woodward|newspaper=USA Today|page=3C}}</ref> and Leandra Reilly were the studio hosts during the regular season and playoffs coverage. [[Denis Potvin]] was the studio analysts during the regular season and playoffs coverage. For the [[Stanley Cup Finals]], [[Jiggs McDonald]]<ref>{{YouTube|title=NHL 1992 Stanley Cup Finals - Pittsburgh Penguins at Chicago Blackhawks - Game 4 Full Game|id=-vgBbF5M2zA}}</ref> served as the [[play-by-play]] man while [[Bill Clement]] was the [[color commentator]]. Also during the Stanley Cup Finals, [[Mike Emrick]]<ref>{{YouTube|title=Flames win Stanley Cup SC America 1989|id=lg9n8iO5SEA}}</ref><ref>{{YouTube|title=1990 Stanley Cup Finals - Game 5 - Opening (Sportschannel)|id=_tdIvJKy6YQ}}</ref><ref>{{YouTube|title=5/25/91 – Penguins Win First Stanley Cup (3 – SportsChannel) |id=xeNDuG1qLSU}}</ref> served as the host while [[John Davidson]]<ref>{{cite news |last=Bradley|first=Jeff|date=May 13, 1991|title=A Strong Voice for Hockey|url=https://www.si.com/vault/1991/05/13/124200/a-strong-voice-for-hockey-john-davidson-has-become-his-sports-top-broadcaster-in-part-by-outworking-everybody-else-title%253DA|work=Sports Illustrated|location= |access-date= }}</ref> served as the rinkside<ref>{{YouTube|title=5/25/91 – Penguins Win First Stanley Cup (1 – SportsChannel)|id=OEJA0-LMqt8}}</ref><ref>{{YouTube|title=Mark Messier Interview - 1990 Stanley Cup|id=KsQ93XJHdYs}}</ref> and studio analyst<ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://www.si.com/vault/1991/05/13/124200/a-strong-voice-for-hockey-john-davidson-has-become-his-sports-top-broadcaster-in-part-by-outworking-everybody-else|title=A Strong Voice For Hockey|date=May 13, 1991|first=Jeff|last=Bradley|journal=Sports Illustrated}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|url=http://cnnsi.printthis.clickability.com/pt/cpt?action=cpt&title=The+Penguins+staked+a+claim+to+greatness+by+winning+-+06.08.92+-+SI+Vault&expire=&urlID=411698607&fb=Y&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsportsillustrated.cnn.com%2Fvault%2Farticle%2Fmagazine%2FMAG1003855%2F2%2Findex.htm&partnerID=289881|title=Swept Away|date=June 8, 1992|first=Jon|last=Scher|journal=Sports Illustrated}}</ref> ([[Herb Brooks]] filled that role in 1989).
−
[[Bob Papa]] and Leandra Reilly were the studio hosts during the regular season coverage. For the Stanley Cup Finals, [[Jiggs McDonald]] served as the play-by-play man while [[Bill Clement]] was the color commentator. Also in the Stanley Cup Finals, [[Mike Emrick]] served as the studio host while [[John Davidson]] served as the rinkside reporter and studio analyst ([[Herb Brooks]] filled that role in 1989).
  
−  
−
==== Play-by-play ====
  
−
* '''[[Mike Emrick]]'''
  
−
* [[Pat Foley]]
  
−
* Steve Grad
  
⚫
* [[Dave Hodge]]
  
⚫
* [[John Kelly]]
  
−
* [[Jiggs McDonald]]
  
−
* [[Rick Peckham]]
  
−
* [[Jeff Rimer]]
  
⚫
* [[Joe Starkey]]
  
−
* [[Gary Thorne]]
  
⚫
* [[Ken Wilson (sportscaster)|Ken Wilson]]
  
   
−
==== Color commentators ====
 +
====Play-by-play====
−
* [[Bruce Affleck]]
 +
*[[Mike Emrick]]
−
* [[Herb Brooks]]
 +
*[[Pat Foley]]
  +
*[http://www.knx1070.com/pages/3274.php?contentType=4&contentId=94498 Steve Grad]
−
* [[Gerry Cheevers]]
  
−
* '''[[Bill Clement]]'''
 +
*[[Dave Hodge]]
−
* [[John Davidson]]
 +
*[[John Kelly]]
−
* [[Don Edwards]]
 +
*[[Jiggs McDonald]]
−
* [[John Kelly]]
 +
*[[Rick Peckham]]
−
* [[Craig Laughlin]]
 +
*[[Jeff Rimer]]
−
* [[Dave Maloney]]
 +
*[[Joe Starkey]]
−
* [[Peter McNab]]
 +
*[[Gary Thorne]]
  ⚫
*[[Ken Wilson (sportscaster)|Ken Wilson]]
−
* [[Joe Micheletti]]
  
⚫
* [[Pete Stemkowski]]
  
⚫
* [[Dale Tallon]]
  
⚫
* [[Ed Westfall]]
  
   
−
==== Ice level personalities ====
 +
====Color commentary====
−
* [[Herb Brooks]]
 +
*[[Bruce Affleck]]
  +
*[[Herb Brooks]]<ref>{{Cite news|title=NBC's O'Neil known for boldness, making changes|date=May 11, 1989|first=Rachel|last=Schuster|newspaper=USA Today|page=3C}}</ref>
⚫
* [[John Davidson]]
  
−
* [[Stan Fischler]]
 +
*[[Gerry Cheevers]]
  +
*[[Bill Clement]]
⚫
* Al Koken
  
−
* [[Gary Thorne]]
 +
*[[John Davidson]]
  +
*[[Don Edwards]]
  +
*[[John Kelly]]
  +
*[[Craig Laughlin]]
  ⚫
*[[Dave Maloney]]
  +
*[[Peter McNab]]
  ⚫
*[[Joe Micheletti]]
  +
*[[Denis Potvin]]
  ⚫
*[[Pete Stemkowski]]
  ⚫
*[[Dale Tallon]]
  ⚫
*[[Ed Westfall]]
   
−
==== Studio personalities ====
 +
====Studio/ice level personalities====
−
* [[Herb Brooks]]
 +
*[[Herb Brooks]]
−
* [[John Davidson]]
 +
*[[John Davidson]]
  ⚫
*Al Koken
−
* [[Stan Fischler]]
  
  ⚫
*[[Bob Papa]]
−
* Al Koken
  
  +
*[[Denis Potvin]]
⚫
* Bob Papa
  
−
* Leandra Reilly
 +
*Leandra Reilly
   
 
== Commentating crews ==
  
== Commentating crews ==
−
*[[Chicago Blackhawks]]: [[Pat Foley]] and [[Dale Tallon]] (in {{nhly|1991}}, SportsChannel America rode them all the way through the Stanley Cup Finals)
 +
*[[Chicago Blackhawks]]: [[Pat Foley]] and [[Dale Tallon]] (in {{nhly|1991}}, SportsChannel America rode them all the way through the [[1992 Stanley Cup Finals|Stanley Cup Finals]])
 
**[[NBC Sports Chicago|SportsChannel Chicago]]
  
**[[NBC Sports Chicago|SportsChannel Chicago]]
 
*[[Hartford Whalers]]: [[Rick Peckham]] and [[Gerry Cheevers]]
  
*[[Hartford Whalers]]: [[Rick Peckham]] and [[Gerry Cheevers]]

Revision as of 20:31, 29 May 2020

NHL on SportsChannel America was the presentation of National Hockey League broadcasts on the now defunct SportsChannel America cable television network.

Terms of the deal

Taking over for ESPN, SportsChannel's contract paid $51 million ($17 million per year) over three years, more than double what ESPN had paid ($24 million) for the previous three years SportsChannel America managed to get a fourth NHL season for just $5 million.

SportsChannel's availability

Unfortunately, SportsChannel America was only available in a few major markets,[1][2] and reached only a 1/3 of the households that ESPN did at the time.[3] SportsChannel America was seen in fewer than 10 million households[4]. In comparison, by the 1991–92 season, ESPN was available in 60.5 million homes whereas SportsChannel America was available in only 25 million. As a matter of fact, in the first year of the deal (1988–89), SportsChannel America was available in only 7 million homes when compared to ESPN's reach of 50 million. When the SportsChannel deal ended in 1992, the league returned to ESPN for another contract that would pay $80 million over 5 years.

SportsChannel America took advantage of using their regional sports networks' feed of a game, graphics and all, instead of producing a show from the ground up, most of the time. Distribution of SportsChannel America across the country was limited to cities that had a SportsChannel regional sports network or affiliate. Very few cable systems in non-NHL territories picked it up as a stand alone service. Regional affiliates of the Prime Network would sometimes pick up SportsChannel broadcasts, but this was often only during the playoffs. SportsChannel America also did not broadcast 24 hours a day at first, usually on by 6 p.m., off by 1 or 2 a.m., then a sports-ticker for the next 16 hours.

Philadelphia

Since SportsChannel Philadelphia did not air until January 1990, PRISM (owned by Rainbow Media, the owners of SportsChannel, at the time) picked up the 1989 Stanley Cup Finals. Other than that, there was no NHL television coverage in Philadelphia except for the Flyers for the first half of the original deal.

See also: 1988–89 Philadelphia Flyers season and 1989–90 Philadelphia Flyers season

Lawsuit

Shortly after the ESPN deal was signed, SportsChannel America contended that its contract with the NHL gave them the right to match third-party offers for television rights for the 1992–93 season. SportsChannel America accused the NHL of violating a nonbinding clause. SportsChannel America argued that it had been deprived of its contractual right of first refusal for the 1992–93 season. Appellate Division of New York State Supreme Court justice Shirley Fingerwood denied SportsChannel America's request for an injunction against the NHL. Upholding that opinion, the appellate court found the agreement on which SportsChannel based its argument to be "too imprecise and ambiguous" and ruled that SportsChannel failed to show irreparable harm.

Coverage overview

Regular season coverage

SportsChannel America televised about 80–100 games a season (whereas ESPN aired about 33 in from 1985–88). Whereas the previous deal with ESPN called for only one nationally televised game per week, SportsChannel America televised hockey two nights a week in NHL cities and three nights a week elsewhere.

It was very rare to have a regular-season game on SportsChannel America that wasn't a regional SportsChannel production from the Chicago Blackhawks, Hartford Whalers, New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders, or Philadelphia Flyers. The San Jose Sharks were added in 1991–92. As previously suggested, SportsChannel America for the most part, used the local telecasts. The dedicated SportsChannel America station was little more than an overflow channel in the New York area for SportsChannel New York.

Special programming

In 1989, SportsChannel America provided the first ever American coverage of the NHL Draft.

In September 1989, SportsChannel America covered the Washington Capitals training camp in Sweden and pre-season tour of the Soviet Union. The Capitals were joined by the Stanley Cup champion Calgary Flames, who held training camp in Prague, Czechoslovakia and then ventured to the Soviet Union. Each team played four games against Soviet League clubs. Games were played in Moscow, Leningrad, Kiev, and Riga. The NHL clubs finished with a combined 6–2 record against the top Soviet teams, including the Red Army club and Dynamo Moscow. 5 of 8 contests were televised by SportsChannel America.

All-Star Game coverage

SportsChannel America was the exclusive broadcaster of the 1989 All-Star Game. The following year, they covered the first ever NHL Skills Competition and Heroes of Hockey game. SportsChannel America continued their coverage of these particular events through 1992. In 1991, SportsChannel America replayed the third period of the All-Star Game on the same day that it was played. That was because NBC broke away from the live telecast during the 3rd period in favor of Gulf War coverage.

Year Play-by-play Color commentator Ice level reporter Studio host Studio analysts
1989[5][6][7] Jiggs McDonald Scotty Bowman Gary Thorne Denis Potvin and Herb Brooks

Stanley Cup playoffs

Divisional finals
Year Teams Play-by-play Color commentator(s)
1989 Montréal-Boston Rick Peckham Denis Potvin
Pittsburgh-Philadelphia (Games 1–5 aired on tape delay) Mike Emrick Bill Clement
St. Louis-Chicago Pat Foley Dale Tallon
Calgary-Los Angeles Jiggs McDonald Herb Brooks
1990 Boston-Montréal (Games 1–2 aired on tape delay) Mike Emrick Bill Clement (Games 1–2, 4–5)
Peter McNab (Game 3)
New York Rangers-Washington (Games 3–5 aired on tape delay) Rick Peckham Dave Maloney
Chicago-St. Louis Pat Foley Dale Tallon
Edmonton-Los Angeles (joined-in-progress) Jiggs McDonald Herb Brooks
1991 Boston-Montréal Jiggs McDonald John Davidson
Pittsburgh-Washington (taped delay) Rick Peckham Gerry Cheevers
St. Louis-Minnesota Mike Emrick Bill Clement
Los Angeles-Edmonton (joined-in-progress) Pat Foley Dale Tallon
1992 Montréal-Boston (CBC's feed; Game 1 was joined-in-progress; all other games on taped delay) Bob Cole John Garrett and Dick Irvin, Jr.
New York Rangers-Pittsburgh (Game 1 was joined-in-progress) Jiggs McDonald Ed Westfall
Detroit-Chicago Pat Foley Dale Tallon
Vancouver-Edmonton (Games 1–4 used CBCs feed; Games 3–4 were joined-in-progress) Chris Cuthbert (Games 1–4)
Pat Foley (Games 5–6) 		Harry Neale (Games 1–4)
Dale Tallon (Games 5–6)
Conference finals
See also: NHL Conference Finals
Year Teams Play-by-play Color commentator(s) Ice level reporters
1989 Montréal-Philadelphia Mike Emrick Bill Clement
Calgary-Chicago Jiggs McDonald Herb Brooks
1990 Boston-Washington Jiggs McDonald Bill Clement John Davidson
Edmonton-Chicago Pat Foley Dale Tallon
1991 Boston-Pittsburgh Jiggs McDonald John Davidson
Edmonton-Minnesota Mike Emrick Bill Clement
1992 Pittsburgh-Boston Jiggs McDonald Bill Clement John Davidson
Chicago-Edmonton Pat Foley Dale Tallon
Stanley Cup Finals
Year Teams Play-by-play Color commentator Studio host Studio analyst Ice-level reporter
1989[8] Calgary-Montréal Jiggs McDonald Bill Clement Mike Emrick[9] Herb Brooks
1990 Boston-Edmonton Jiggs McDonald Bill Clement Mike Emrick[10] John Davidson[11]
1991 Pittsburgh-Minnesota Jiggs McDonald Bill Clement Mike Emrick[12] John Davidson
1992 Pittsburgh-Chicago Jiggs McDonald Bill Clement Mike Emrick John Davidson

Production

A fair number of times in their first season, they used their own production services for games. But very rarely this sort of practice occured in the last three seasons. Since programming was so sparse otherwise on SportsChannel America, usually the games were replayed immediately after the live telecast.

For playoff coverage,[13] if any of the aforementioned teams made the playoffs, SportsChannel America focus on those teams, using their facilities. For example, SportsChannel Chicago produced the SportsChannel America coverage for the Blackhawks' 1990 playoff run. Because of Hawks owner Bill Wirtz's disdain for free and basic cable home telecasts of his games, the road games were shown in Chicago, with the home games only given short live look-ins as "bonus coverage". The same situation happened in 1992, but this time, Blackhawks' home games were broadcast on a pay-per-view basis via "Hawkvision"[14]. Sometimes, they would use the CBC feed for other series (the Boston Bruins–Montréal Canadiens series, for example). For the Stanley Cup Finals, SportsChannel America used their own facilities. They also used their own facilities for any Conference Final series that did not involve one of SportsChannel's regional teams. In 1989, both Conference Finals series involved two of SportsChannel's regional teams (Philadelphia and Chicago). However, Hawks owner Bill Wirtz's banned home games from televising in Chicago. So, Jiggs McDonald and Herb Brooks called the Clarence Campbell Conference Final between Calgary and Chicago on SportsChannel America. SportsChannel America's master control was at a Cablevision studio in Oak Park, Illinois with its NHL studios located at Adelphi University on Long Island.

John Shannon was the senior producer of The NHL on SportsChannel America.

Announcers

Bob Papa[15] and Leandra Reilly were the studio hosts during the regular season and playoffs coverage. Denis Potvin was the studio analysts during the regular season and playoffs coverage. For the Stanley Cup Finals, Jiggs McDonald[16] served as the play-by-play man while Bill Clement was the color commentator. Also during the Stanley Cup Finals, Mike Emrick[17][18][19] served as the host while John Davidson[20] served as the rinkside[21][22] and studio analyst[23][24] (Herb Brooks filled that role in 1989).

Play-by-play

Color commentary

Studio/ice level personalities

Commentating crews

See also

Chicago Blackhawks seasons

Hartford Whalers seasons

New York Islanders seasons

New Jersey Devils seasons

San Jose Sharks seasons

See also

  1. ↑ Swift, E.M. (August 22, 1988). "Woe, Canada". Sports Illustrated. 
  2. ↑ Martzke, Rudy. "NHL broadcast boss pleased with cable move", May 2, 1989, p. 3C. 
  3. ↑ Taaffe, William (June 27, 1988). "A Better Open; Too Much Brent". Sports Illustrated. 
  4. ↑ (January 16, 1989) "Scorecard". Sports Illustrated. 
  5. ↑ Mark Messier Interview - 1989 All-Star game (Edmonton) at YouTube
  6. ↑ February 7, 1989 Campbell - 9 @ Wales - 5 NHL All Star Game Sean Burke at YouTube
  7. ↑ Gretzky to Kurri Goal - 1989 All-Star Game (Edmonton) at YouTube
  8. ↑ SportsChannel America 1989 Stanley Cup Finals Game 6 Intro Theme at YouTube
  9. ↑ Flames win Stanley Cup SC America 1989 at YouTube
  10. ↑ 1990 Stanley Cup Finals - Game 5 - Opening (Sportschannel) at YouTube
  11. ↑ Mark Messier Interview - 1990 Stanley Cup at YouTube
  12. ↑ 5/25/91 - Penguins Win First Stanley Cup (3 - SportsChannel) at YouTube
  13. ↑ Hiestand, Michael. "Schmidt tries to ease into broadcasting job", April 5, 1990, p. 3C. 
  14. ↑ Wilbon, Michael. "FOR NHL TO GROW, ZIEGLER'S GOT TO GO", Washington Post, June 1, 1992. 
  15. ↑ Woodward, Steve. "Lighter load at ABC doesn't bother McKay", April 12, 1990, p. 3C. 
  16. ↑ NHL 1992 Stanley Cup Finals - Pittsburgh Penguins at Chicago Blackhawks - Game 4 Full Game at YouTube
  17. ↑ Flames win Stanley Cup SC America 1989 at YouTube
  18. ↑ 1990 Stanley Cup Finals - Game 5 - Opening (Sportschannel) at YouTube
  19. ↑ 5/25/91 – Penguins Win First Stanley Cup (3 – SportsChannel) at YouTube
  20. ↑ Bradley, Jeff. "A Strong Voice for Hockey", Sports Illustrated, May 13, 1991. 
  21. ↑ 5/25/91 – Penguins Win First Stanley Cup (1 – SportsChannel) at YouTube
  22. ↑ Mark Messier Interview - 1990 Stanley Cup at YouTube
  23. ↑ Bradley, Jeff (May 13, 1991). "A Strong Voice For Hockey". Sports Illustrated. 
  24. ↑ Scher, Jon (June 8, 1992). "Swept Away". Sports Illustrated. 
  25. ↑ Schuster, Rachel. "NBC's O'Neil known for boldness, making changes", May 11, 1989, p. 3C. 
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