On the heels of its surprise acquisition of the television rights to the National Football League (NFL) in December 1993, Fox sought deals with other major sports leagues to expand its newly created sports division, opting to go after the rights to broadcast National Hockey League (NHL) games.[2]CBS, which had just lost its NFL package (which primarily included the rights to regular season and playoff games from the National Football Conference) to Fox and had also lost its Major League Baseball and college football rights to other networks, was Fox's primary competitor for the NHL package, hoping to replace some of the sports programming it had lost to Fox.
Nevertheless, in a serious blow to CBS, Fox outbid CBS for the NHL package as well.[3] On September 9, 1994, the National Hockey League reached a five-year contract with Fox for the broadcast television rights to the league's games, beginning with the 1994–95 season.[4] The network paid $155 million ($31 million annually) to televise NHL regular season and postseason games, considerably less than the $1.58 billion Fox paid for the NFL television rights.[5][6]
The NHL's initial deal with Fox was significant, as a U.S. network television contract was long thought unattainable for the league during the presidency of John Ziegler.[7] For 17 years after the 1975 Finals were broadcast on NBC, there would be no national over-the-air network coverage of the NHL in the United States (except for the 1979 Challenge Cup and Game 6 of the 1980 Stanley Cup Finals on CBS, and NBC's coverage of the NHL All-Star Game from 1990 to 1994) and only spotty coverage on regional networks. This was because no network was willing to commit to carrying a large number of games, in turn providing low ratings for NHL telecasts. ABC would eventually resume the network broadcasting of regular NHL games (on a time buy basis through ESPN) for the 1992–93 season. This continued through the 1993–94 season before Fox took over for the next five seasons.
Fox's NHL broadcasts are perhaps best remembered for its use of FoxTrax (colloquially called the "glow puck," "smart puck," or "super puck"), a specialized ice hockeypuck designed for the network's NHL telecasts which featured internal electronics that allowed its position to be tracked.[11][12] It was primarily used to visually highlight the puck on-screen and display a trail when the puck was moving rapidly. The FoxTrax puck, while considered to be generally popular according to Fox Sports, generated a great deal of controversy and criticism, especially in Canada, from longtime fans of the game, and was ridiculed by comedians on both sides of the border.[13][14]
Stanley Cup playoff coverage
During the first two rounds of the playoffs, at least two games were aired each round and were distributed regionally, unless other series involving other scheduled games were already finished, in which case the telecast was broadcast nationally. Canadian viewers were upset over the apparent preference that the NHL had for Fox ahead of CBC Television in regards to the scheduling of playoff games; Montreal Gazette sports journalist Pat Hickey wrote that the schedule was "just another example of how the N.H.L. snubs its nose at the country that invented hockey and its fans."[15]
All-Star Game, Conference Finals, and Stanley Cup Finals
For the All-Star Game, Conference Finals, and Stanley Cup Finals, the games (which were national telecasts) were hosted from the arena. The 1996 and 1997 All-Star Games were televised in prime time.
Stanley Cup Finals
Fox split coverage of the Stanley Cup Finals with ESPN. Game 1 of the 1995 Stanley Cup Finals was the first Finals game shown on network television since 1980 and the first in prime time since 1973. Games 1, 5, and 7 were usually scheduled to be televised by Fox; and Games 2, 3, 4, and 6 were set to air on ESPN. However, from 1995 to 1998, the Finals matches were all four game sweeps; the 1999 Finals ended in six games.[16] The consequence was that – except for 1995 when Fox did televise Game 4 – the decisive game was never shown on network television. Perhaps in recognition of this, Games 3–7 were always televised by ABC in the succeeding broadcast agreement between the NHL and ABC Sports/ESPN.
Game 4 of the 1995 Final was notable because not only did the New Jersey Devils win the Stanley Cup, but also the team's main television play-by-play announcer, Mike Emrick, announced it.
KTVU, the Fox affiliate in the San Francisco Bay Area, dropped Game 4 of the 1995 Stanley Cup Finals (June 24) for a San Francisco Giants game. The game between the Giants and Florida Marlins in Miami had a long rain delay. This allowed KTVU to broadcast the hockey game after all. However, the baseball game finally started before the hockey game ended. KTVU got a lot of complaints, so they re-aired the end of the hockey game the following Saturday (July 1).
Stanley Cup Finals broadcast schedules
1995 – Games 1, 4, 7 on Fox; Games 2, 3, 5, 6 on ESPN
1996 – Games 1, 3, 5, 7 on Fox; Games 2, 4, 6 on ESPN
1997 – Games 1, 5, 7 on Fox; Games 2, 3, 4, 6 on ESPN
1998 – Games 1, 5, 7 on Fox; Games 2, 3, 4, 6 on ESPN
1999 – Games 1, 2, 5, 7 on Fox; Games 3, 4, 6 on ESPN
The end of NHL on Fox
Things ended badly between Fox and the league in 1999, when the NHL announced a new television deal with ESPN that also called for sister broadcast network ABC to become the new network television partner (as previously mentioned).[17][18][19][20][21] Fox challenged that it had not been given a chance to match the network component of the deal, but ABC ultimately prevailed.
Fox placed a bid for NHL broadcast rights when they came up for renewal in 2011 but dropped out of the running as a result of a bidding war between NBCUniversal and ESPN.[22] The bid made by NBCUniversal (which owns NBC, Versus and USA Network and, through its ownership of the Philadelphia Flyers, a stake in the league itself) was selected by the league, in a ten-year extension of its existing broadcast contract.
In August 2019, Fox Sports SVP/sales Mark Evans told The Big Lead that Fox would be interested in pursuing NHL media rights when they became available.[23]
In April 2021, Fox Sports was reportedly considered a front-runner to acquire the NHL's "B" package after ABC/ESPN acquired the "A" package from NBC; the rights would ultimately go to Turner Sports.[24]
After the bankruptcy of Bally Sports in 2023, Bally Sports SoCal (the former Fox Sports Prime Ticket) lost the rights to the Anaheim Ducks broadcasts and its local games moved to the Fox-owned station, KCOP-TV, for the 2024–25 season.[25]
Coverage overview
Regular season
Fox's logo for their regular season broadcasts.
Fox televised between 5 and 11 regionally distributed games on Saturday or Sunday[26] afternoons during the regular season, where anywhere from 2 to 6 games ran concurrently. All times below are Eastern.
Mike Emrick and John Davidson Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti Kenny Albert and Denis Potvin Pat Foley and Mickey Redmond Jiggs McDonald and Greg Millen Dave Strader and Gary Green
Kenny Albert and Mickey Redmond Mike Emrick and John Davidson Dick Stockton and Mike Eruzione Dave Strader and Denis Potvin Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti Bob Miller and Gary Green
Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti Mike Emrick and John Davidson Dave Strader and Greg Millen Jiggs McDonald and Peter McNab Kenny Albert and Denis Potvin Pat Foley and Mickey Redmond
Dave Strader and Greg Millen Jiggs McDonald and Peter McNab Mike Emrick and John Davidson Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti Rick Jeanneret and Mickey Redmond Kenny Albert and Denis Potvin
Kenny Albert and Denis Potvin Mike Emrick and John Davidson Dave Strader and Greg Millen Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti Pat Foley and Mickey Redmond Jiggs McDonald and Peter McNab
Dave Strader and Greg Millen Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti Jiggs McDonald and Peter McNab Mike Emrick and John Davidson Pat Foley and Mickey Redmond Kenny Albert and Denis Potvin
Mike Lange and Paul Steigerwald Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti Kenny Albert and Craig Simpson Mike Emrick and John Davidson Jiggs McDonald and Peter McNab
Mike Emrick and John Davidson Josh Lewin and Daryl Reaugh Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti John Kelly and Craig Simpson Jiggs McDonald and Peter McNab Kenny Albert and Terry Crisp
Mike Emrick and John Davidson Jiggs McDonald and Peter McNab Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti Josh Lewin and Daryl Reaugh Kenny Albert and Terry Crisp John Kelly and Craig Simpson
Howie Rose and Joe Micheletti Kenny Albert and Terry Crisp Mike Emrick and John Davidson John Kelly and Craig Simpson Josh Lewin and Daryl Reaugh Jiggs McDonald and Peter McNab
Mike Emrick and John Davidson Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti Josh Lewin and Daryl Reaugh Kenny Albert and Terry Crisp John Kelly and Craig Simpson Jiggs McDonald and Peter McNab
John Kelly and Craig Simpson Jiggs McDonald and Peter McNab Kenny Albert and Terry Crisp Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti Mike Emrick and John Davidson Josh Lewin and Daryl Reaugh
3/14/98
Buffalo at Pittsburgh Detroit at Philadelphia[74][75] New York Rangers at Boston Chicago at Tampa Bay Colorado at Los Angeles Phoenix at St. Louis
3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m.
Jiggs McDonald and Peter McNab Mike Emrick and John Davidson Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti Kenny Albert and Terry Crisp John Kelly and Craig Simpson Josh Lewin and Daryl Reaugh
John Kelly and Craig Simpson Kenny Albert and Terry Crisp Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti Mike Emrick and John Davidson Jiggs McDonald and Peter McNab
3/28/98
Carolina at Philadelphia New York Rangers at Pittsburgh Anaheim at Colorado Detroit at St. Louis Florida at Boston San Jose at Dallas
3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m.
John Kelly and Craig Simpson Mike Emrick and John Davidson Jiggs McDonald and Peter McNab Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti Kenny Albert and Terry Crisp Josh Lewin and Daryl Reaugh
Mike Emrick and John Davidson Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti Jiggs McDonald and Peter McNab Josh Lewin and Daryl Reaugh Kenny Albert and Terry Crisp
4/11/98
New York Rangers at Detroit Florida at Pittsburgh Phoenix at St. Louis Washington at Philadelphia[82] Dallas at Tampa Bay Colorado at Los Angeles
1 p.m. 1 p.m. 1 p.m. 1 p.m. 1 p.m. 6 p.m.
Mike Emrick and John Davidson Kenny Albert and Terry Crisp Jiggs McDonald and Peter McNab Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti Josh Lewin and Daryl Reaugh John Kelly and Craig Simpson
The June 24 game in New Jersey was the Stanley Cup Finals' deciding game as the Devils swept the Red Wings. Although Fox did retain rights to certain other games where the Cup could be decided (including any seventh games), 1995 was the only time during its run as NHL broadcaster that Fox carried the Cup-clinching victory on-air.
Game 4 of the 1995 Stanley Cup Finals drew a 4.7 rating and a 10 share.[191] In the New York City market (on Fox owned-and-operated station WNYW), the game drew a 10.6 rating and 21 share; in Detroit (on Fox affiliate, now owned-and-operated station, WJBK), it drew a 14.1 rating and 26 share.[191]
FSN Detroit produces a pre-game/post-game show titled Red Wings Live. Fox Sports Net Detroit acquired the local television rights to Red Wings games (as well as those from the Detroit Pistons and Detroit Tigers) from PASS Sports, which subsequently ceased operations in 1997. The network was later named Bally Sports Detroit on March 31, 2021.[192]
Cablevision sold its 60% interest in FSN Bay Area in April 2007 to Comcast, which relaunched the network as NBC Sports California on March 31, 2008 (the channel continued to carry select FSN programming until August 2012); Fox Sports retains a 25% ownership stake in the network.
^Was an independent station at the time KDFI held Stars broadcast rights, now a MyNetworkTV owned-and-operated station.
^Formerly known as Prime Sports Arizona until 1996.
^Formerly part of Fox Sports South, became a sub-feed in 2008.
^Formerly known as SportsChannel Florida until 2000, and was the last FSN-acquired network acquired through the SportsChannel purchase to retire the name.
^Formerly known as Prime Sports Midwest until 1996.
^Originated as WCCO II in 1986, later known as Midwest Sports Channel from 1989 to 1996. Regional subfields exist for the Minnesota/Dakotas region, and portions of Wisconsin not part of the Minneapolis–St. Paul market. The Wisconsin feed (which originally operated as a separate Wisconsin Sports Network from 1996 to 1998, before being absorbed into the then Midwest Sports Channel) became a separate Fox Sports Wisconsin in April 2007.
^Formerly known as SportsChannel Ohio until 1998. Separate subfields also exist for the Cincinnati and Cleveland markets.
^Formerly known as Home Sports Entertainment from 1984 to 1994, and as Prime Sports Southwest until 1996.
^Formerly part of Fox Sports South, became a sub-feed in 2008.
^Fox Sports West was formerly known as (the original) Prime Ticket from 1987 to 1993 and Prime Sports West until 1996; Fox Sports Prime Ticket was formerly known as FSN West 2 until 2007.
^Formerly known as Sunshine Network (originally serving as a Prime Network affiliate) until 2009; was acquired by Fox Sports Networks in 1996.
^Formerly known as Pacific Sports Network (PSN) until 1990, SportsChannel Bay Area until 1993, and SportsChannel Pacific until 1998.
^Originally known as Sportsvision Chicago from 1979 to 1984, Hawkvision/ONTV until 1987 and SportsChannel Chicago until 1998.
^Formerly SportsChannel New York from 1982 to 1998 and FSN New York from 1998 to March 10, 2008. Neil Best (2008-02-26). "FSNY to be renamed MSG Plus". Newsday. Archived from the original on April 26, 2008. Retrieved 2008-02-26.
