Broadcasting Delays

[yotg]

Just wanted to post quickly that you can complain to Greg Gerlach at Gopher Sports Properties about the delays in broadcasting on TV and lack of adequate radio coverage so far this year. His e-mail address is ggerlach@gophersportsproperties.com

I sent him the following:

I want to express my deep disappointment with the repeated lack of live broadcasts of Gopher hockey. For the second week in a row, an FSN telecast is on tape delay AND the radio broadcast of the same game is not being aired on any radio station that has a significant broadcasting area.

I know that Gopher hockey fans are fortunate to have gotten used to having so many games televised over the years, but we are also a large fan base and have come to EXPECT those games to be televised and not pre-empted by other sports programming. Could you please explain to me why so many games are not being broadcast live and why FSN and WCCO continue to hold broadcasting rights if they are not going to broadcast games live? Do their broadcasting contracts require them to broadcast games live or do they do so only at their convenience?

It seems to me that the reliability of Gopher hockey broadcasting has worsened since the involvement of Learfield Sports/Gopher Sports Properties (though I admittedly can't be sure that's why it has worsened) and I think you need to make some changes to start ensuring that broadcast partners are meeting expectations of fans or I can promise you that a significant number of fans will be contacting University administration and asking for the Learfield contract to be reviewed to determine if it is really meeting the needs of the University.

A response and explanation, along with some idea of how many other games I can expect to be tape delayed would be appreciated.

[Go Gophers!]

The year is 2009, FSN has an Alternate sports channel. Tell them to use it!!! FSN Alternate should air the Gopher games live, then they can put it on tape delay on FSN after their major sport is over. BTW why the hell aren't all sports televised in HD already??? especially Gopher hockey.

We can put a man on the moon, but we can't figure out a useful way to utilize our current technology.

GO GOPHERS!!!

[SouthTexGopher]

The year is 2009, FSN has an Alternate sports channel. Tell them to use it!!! FSN Alternate should air the Gopher games live, then they can put it on tape delay on FSN after their major sport is over. BTW why the hell aren't all sports televised in HD already??? especially Gopher hockey.

We can put a man on the moon, but we can't figure out a useful way to utilize our current technology.

GO GOPHERS!!!

Now THAT is a very fair point. I agree with those who've said in other threads that we're fortunate to have so many games on TV. No debate there. But...

Wasn't the whole point of the "digital conversion" to allow for this sort of technology? That is, provide the space on the airwaves to enable the alternate channels to be used?

[JWG]

I sent a cordial note, but I don't think it really matters.
Gopher hockey will always fall behind:
1) Vikings
2) Twins
3) Timberwolves
4) Wild
5) Gopher football
6) Gopher basketball

We're fans of the lowest ranking revenue sport other than womens' basketball.

[Dolphin275]

I sent a cordial note, but I don't think it really matters.
Gopher hockey will always fall behind:
1) Vikings
2) Twins
3) Timberwolves
4) Wild
5) Gopher football
6) Gopher basketball

We're fans of the lowest ranking revenue sport other than womens' basketball.

I understand what you meant by this list, but what baffles me is, there are many times when the Gopher Hockey team has had higher ratings then the Wild, T-Wolves, and Gopher Basketball.

I think even the Gopher Volleyball team has higher ratings then the T-wolves..

Gopher Hockey is a high earning revenue sport for the U.

[JWG]

I understand what you meant by this list, but what baffles me is, there are many times when the Gopher Hockey team has had higher ratings then the Wild, T-Wolves, and Gopher Basketball.

I think even the Gopher Volleyball team has higher ratings then the T-wolves..

Gopher Hockey is a high earning revenue sport for the U.

I don't think the Gophers pull the same ad revenue as the pro sports do. Which is obviously important to TV. And, I'm confident FSN wouldn't get the Wild/Wolves broadcast rights if FSN said they would be delaying their games for Gopher hockey. Which, even if the occasional Gopher game does draw better than a few Wolves games, over the course of a season, FSN doesn't want to give up that Wolves broadcast.

TV hasn't bothered me as much as radio. There's 100 AM stations out there and we can't get 1 that actually has some broadcast range at night and doesn't have to delay us so they can air Pete's Pop Warner under 10 game live?

I've thought why not let Gopher Hockey go to a local channel like 29 or 45, but FSN offers nice national viewing for those with a Sports Package and may actually create some stir for us in recruiting in other areas more broadly. If I'm being recruited in, say Ohio (yea I know, we don't know how to recruit more than 200 miles from campus), I can tune in to watch the Gophers if I want.

[Chris83]

The year is 2009, FSN has an Alternate sports channel. Tell them to use it!!! FSN Alternate should air the Gopher games live, then they can put it on tape delay on FSN after their major sport is over. BTW why the hell aren't all sports televised in HD already??? especially Gopher hockey.

We can put a man on the moon, but we can't figure out a useful way to utilize our current technology.

GO GOPHERS!!!

Now THAT is a very fair point. I agree with those who've said in other threads that we're fortunate to have so many games on TV. No debate there. But...

Wasn't the whole point of the "digital conversion" to allow for this sort of technology? That is, provide the space on the airwaves to enable the alternate channels to be used?

I agree completely with this view. If the game isn't being broadcast in ANY form by FSN, so be it. But, if it is being covered and produced, why NOT use the alternate feed. I could see the rationale of not wanting to split the potential ad-viewing audience if the Wild were on FSN and the Gophers an the "Alt", but I doubt that is an issue with the Wolves-Gophers. Plus, I'm not going to stay up til past midnight to watch a game I already know the outcome of, so they're losing a viewer like me altogether.

Not whining that the game isn't on live (yes, we ARE incredibly lucky to see SO many games), but scheduling conflicts are one of the issues alternate channels can solve; why not utilize it?

[gopheritall]

I would pay for Internet steaming as an alternate, either per game or part of the Gold Zone. Isn't the Gold Zone like $10 a month? If they always streamed the games live (even when delayed and "something" when they travel to the Alaskas and Techs) I would easily sign up for the year.

It is ridiculous, absolutely ridiculous. It is also nice that this is our expectation.

[Handyman]

And where exactly would you like the Gophers to go to because I think we all know where they will end up if FSN loses the contract. You think it is bad now just you wait until the Big Ten Network gets the rights, because that is exactly what will happen if and when the Gophs leave FSN. 45 or 29 getting the rights is a pipe dream, hell I doubt they would even want it they seem happy with their handful of Wild and Wolves games and the high school stuff they do. The U has stake in the Big Ten Network and they will swoop in and pre-empt every game because the ratings will suck compared to all the other programming they can show. (the HD deal I wont get into again since it has been explained many times why FSN doesnt show games in HD...and now with money tougher to come by it makes even more sense)

We still have it better than every school out there when it comes to TV. As for radio that is a different story there is no excuse for that. They would almost be better off just not having a sister station with what has been going on of late. Jesus send over a random dude with a Hamm radio we might be better off

[Greyeagle]

As for radio that is a different story there is no excuse for that. They would almost be better off just not having a sister station with what has been going on of late. Jesus send over a random dude with a Hamm radio we might be better off

You can't tune in the damn station outside the arena.

[ScoobyDoo]

We have the best TV contract in college hockey. Nothing to complain about, status quo is fine.

We have the worst radio contract in college hockey though. Pretty sad.

[dxmnkd316]

As for radio that is a different story there is no excuse for that. They would almost be better off just not having a sister station with what has been going on of late. Jesus send over a random dude with a Hamm radio we might be better off

You can't tune in the damn station outside the arena.

Outside the arena? Hell I have trouble getting it just outside of Oak St. Once I get to roseville on 35W it's all over but the crying. Worst station ever. I love the post game show. There are few radio programs I listen to regularly: Garage Logic, Mischke (when he was on 1500), and Gopher Hockey. One of those is gone, the other is still going, and the other is damn near gone.

[HockeyBum]

You can't tune in the damn station outside the arena.

I have no problem with the TV coverage. It's the radio coverage that drives me bonkers. I live less than 14 miles from Mariucci Arena, and I can't pick up that alternative radio station here. It reminds me of that old bit from "Married With Children".

"Assume Fox viewing positions!"

[Greyeagle]

As for radio that is a different story there is no excuse for that. They would almost be better off just not having a sister station with what has been going on of late. Jesus send over a random dude with a Hamm radio we might be better off

You can't tune in the damn station outside the arena.

Outside the arena? Hell I have trouble getting it just outside of Oak St. Once I get to roseville on 35W it's all over but the crying. Worst station ever. I love the post game show. There are few radio programs I listen to regularly: Garage Logic, Mischke (when he was on 1500), and Gopher Hockey. One of those is gone, the other is still going, and the other is damn near gone.

That's what I meant...sorry. Literally parked across 4th street from Ridder arena and could not tune it in.

Mischke's podcast is pretty good.

[yotg]

I don't know much about the FSN alternate channel but I'm guessing they don't want to split their viewing audience if they're not getting additional revenue for that. There IS another option for FSN though. When they aren't broadcasting live, why not sell the live broadcast rights to channel 45 or 29? It would be worth something to them as they would get much better ratings than normal and FSN would get a chunk of revenue.

Speaking of ratings, I have to suspect Gopher hockey has consistently gotten better ratings than the T-wolves over the last 2-3 years. I even question whether the Wild ratings are any/much better.

[Greyeagle]

Speaking of ratings, I have to suspect Gopher hockey has consistently gotten better ratings than the T-wolves over the last 2-3 years.

In the world of Nielsen ratings what does three viewer equate to?

[gopher6]

I understand what you meant by this list, but what baffles me is, there are many times when the Gopher Hockey team has had higher ratings then the Wild, T-Wolves, and Gopher Basketball.

I think even the Gopher Volleyball team has higher ratings then the T-wolves..

Gopher Hockey is a high earning revenue sport for the U.

I don't think the Gophers pull the same ad revenue as the pro sports do. Which is obviously important to TV. And, I'm confident FSN wouldn't get the Wild/Wolves broadcast rights if FSN said they would be delaying their games for Gopher hockey. Which, even if the occasional Gopher game does draw better than a few Wolves games, over the course of a season, FSN doesn't want to give up that Wolves broadcast.

TV hasn't bothered me as much as radio. There's 100 AM stations out there and we can't get 1 that actually has some broadcast range at night and doesn't have to delay us so they can air Pete's Pop Warner under 10 game live?

I've thought why not let Gopher Hockey go to a local channel like 29 or 45, but FSN offers nice national viewing for those with a Sports Package and may actually create some stir for us in recruiting in other areas more broadly. If I'm being recruited in, say Ohio (yea I know, we don't know how to recruit more than 200 miles from campus), I can tune in to watch the Gophers if I want.

the problem is if the wild or timberpupplies are on FSN the other is on 29 or 45, its all $$$$$$$$$$ and gopher puck get's screwed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Handyman]

the problem is if the wild or timberpupplies are on FSN the other is on 29 or 45, its all $$$$$$$$$$ and gopher puck get's screwed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How does it get "screwed"? FSN can sell an add for more during a Wild or Wolves game than it can for a Gopher game...if you ran a business what would you do...especially in this economy.

Its funny the false sense of entitlement some of you have...I am sure if you ran FSN you would do the altruistic thing and show the lower revenue programming, in HD no matter the cost! I also bet the sky in your world is pink and it rains donuts and beer...

[dxmnkd316]

I also bet the sky in your world is pink and it rains donuts and beer...

Wait, here is this place? I want it. Handy, you must share your secret with me!!!

[NYC Gopher fan]

I also bet the sky in your world is pink and it rains donuts and beer...

Wait, here is this place? I want it. Handy, you must share your secret with me!!!

sky is pink, raining donuts and beer...Handy are you speaking of our weekend in the magical land of Grand Forks?

[Handyman]

I also bet the sky in your world is pink and it rains donuts and beer...

Wait, here is this place? I want it. Handy, you must share your secret with me!!!

sky is pink, raining donuts and beer...Handy are you speaking of our weekend in the magical land of Grand Forks?

"mumble mumble mumble"

Did I mention pregnant women smoking in a bar...cause if not then no I wasn't speaking about Grand Forks

[Golden FE Ranger]

I also bet the sky in your world is pink and it rains donuts and beer...

Wait, here is this place? I want it. Handy, you must share your secret with me!!!

Good luck, I could not get him to share where he parks for football games ....the magic land is safe!

[JWG]

I did get a response from Greg Gerlach, he seems like a nice guy.
(This is the guy about to close down the factory and all you can say is hmmm... he seems like a nice guy?!)

Anyway... for your reading enjoyment (on a side note, his reference to TV is because in an effort to be positive I mentioned my gratitutde to the University for our ability to watch our games on TV more so than most if not all other programs, I thought starting nice and happy would be a good route to go):

Thanks for your note. I do appreciate the time you spent in sending the email. Your patronage to the Gopher Hockey program and passion for it are commendable and we need more fans like yourself. Let me see what I can do to provide some clarity and answers to your frustrations which are substantiated I do agree with. I think it's important to provide background and more detail than you may be expecting here below to help you understand our challenges, not just mine but the Athletics Dept. (specifically the Gopher Hockey program).

First and foremost, Learfield is responsible only for the radio broadcasts of Gopher Athletics events. We have zero involvement with the TV broadcasting rights of the event as that all falls on ABC/ESPN for Gopher Football and Men's Basketball and of course Big Ten Network as well Fox Sports Net. Those agreements are worked out between the University athletics administration and the respective media companies.

On the radio side, the Gopher Hockey program hasn't had a truly great radio station situation since it aired it's games on KSTP AM 1500 dating back to the late 1990's. In 1998 (approximately) when the Gopher Hockey radio broadcasts moved to WCCO alongside Gopher Football and Men's Basketball, the Minnesota Wild had yet to enter the market as an NHL franchise (2000 was their inaugural season) which meant very few pre-emptions (bumps to another station) when the Gopher Hockey games conflicted with our own Gopher Football or Men's Basketball broadcasts. Since that time, Gopher Hockey has continued on WCCO but that creates many challenges many of which are caused by the Minnesota Wild. Long before Learfield, or Gopher Sports Properties, took over as the radio rightsholder for the 2006-07 school year, the pre-emption language for Gopher Hockey didn't exist with WCCO which continues to exist for Gopher Football and Men's Basketball, meaning those two sports will always air on WCCO Radio prior to any Minnesota Wild radio broadcast. Since the Minnesota Wild continues to air its games on WCCO Radio with a long standing lucrative radio contract, unfortunately the Wild radio broadcasts will continue to take precedent over Gopher Hockey when there are game conflicts.

With Learfield taking over the rights to the radio broadcasts in 2006-07, we inherited that history and pre-emption priority along with the partnership we have with WCCO. Because of that, it's been a challenge quite frankly since that season to find a suitable station for those games (pre-emptions) when we're bumped from WCCO (which is about half of our games quite frankly) due to a Gopher Football, Gopher Men's Basketball game and/or a Minnesota Wild hockey game. This past few years we've worked with KTNF (AM 950) which was a decent signal and this fall that station I learned wasn't available to us as they opted for some other paid programming leaving us scrambling for yet another option. The current AM 1570 I would agree isn't a great signal and I'm working daily on trying to find an alternative solution as once you move past the big three radio conglomerates (CBS, Clear Channel & Hubbard Broadcasting) it becomes much tougher to get much signal strength for the broadcasts within the metro area.

For some history, back in 2006-07 when we negotiated for those radio rights adding those to our on campus presence with the Athletics Dept., we attempted to potentially split off the Gopher Hockey radio broadcasts to either KFAN (Clear Channel) or AM 1500 (Hubbard) and there wasn't interest from either ownership group to do that unfortunately. Our current contract with WCCO expires after next year's 2010-11 academic year and I know we'll revisit all of our options before moving forward not the least important being Gopher Hockey radio clearance in the metro area. In the short term, for this season yet in fact, I'm currently exploring the possibility of adding another station with a bigger signal if at all possible to provide better coverage and listenership to Gopher Hockey fans.

Please know that the decision to allow Gopher Men's Hockey to air on AM1570 isn't done with bad intentions or that Gopher Men's Hockey broadcasts are somehow less important to myself or our company (Learfield) than the other sports we broadcast.

My very short term suggestion as an alternative would be to listen to the radio broadcasts and the great sound of Wally & Glen online in the Gold Zone (audio and video subscription from the Athletics Dept. Website - http://www.gophersports.com/regflow/Mor ... R_CONTENT=).

Please know we continue to work on this issue with some hope to make some resolution on this in the near future. However, we do plan to provide a radio broadcast of all of the games this season.

Anyone else remember and miss the KSTP 1500 days? I sure do.

[ScoobyDoo]

Anyone else remember and miss the KSTP 1500 days? I sure do.

I do too.

[Greyeagle]

I miss AM1500 too and sadly I can guarantee they will never return there.

Thanks for posting the response, very interesting.
Personally I think it should be incumbent on the U (or Learfield) to air the games online at no cost whenever a game is not aired on 830.

[Always Lurking]

Anyone else remember and miss the KSTP 1500 days? I sure do.

I was able to get 1500 down here in the south Chi suburbs, but only in my car, and was how I kept up with Gopher Hockey until the DirecTv came up with their sports package. The girlfriend, now my wife, could not believe that I would sit out in my car (running of course with the heat on...in the driveway) in the middle of winter on a Friday night to listen.

Then came the days of listening to the live stream on 1500 (before the Gold Zone). We only had dial up so I would routinely miss 15 minutes of each game due to "buffering".

[ex_goldy]

I had the chance to talk to Frank Mozzaco at Mariucci last year and asked him about HD coming to gopher hockey. He was careful in how he answered me, but he said they have two trucks, one has the HD stuff, the other is the non HD and the priority for HD is always given to Wolfs and Wild. He didn't say this exactly but what I understood was if they did have gopher hockey in HD once it would set expectations and most likely it wouldn't happen very often with the wild and wolves getting the HD gear first priority.

I'd be happy for -any- gopher hockey game to be in HD. I'm not complaining though, as was said before they have excellent TV coverage compared to other college hockey programs. One thing I have to compare to though was in Wisconsin. They had the game on live, then they replayed it again so afterwards in the bars you could see it all again. This was great and I'd expect would get higher ratings than Babe Winkleman fishing in Tennesee with a new crank bait you should buy.

One comment on the 1570 AM coverage, since the radio coverage is scant I listen to the internet stream. I've only done this one time though when I was working at night and it was nice to have the game on. Hard to do in the car.

[psych]

Anyone else remember and miss the KSTP 1500 days? I sure do.

I was able to get 1500 down here in the south Chi suburbs, but only in my car, and was how I kept up with Gopher Hockey until the DirecTv came up with their sports package. The girlfriend, now my wife, could not believe that I would sit out in my car (running of course with the heat on...in the driveway) in the middle of winter on a Friday night to listen.

Then came the days of listening to the live stream on 1500 (before the Gold Zone). We only had dial up so I would routinely miss 15 minutes of each game due to "buffering".

Now that is true dedication. I salute you good sir.

[sunbone]

Anyone else remember and miss the KSTP 1500 days? I sure do.

I was able to get 1500 down here in the south Chi suburbs, but only in my car, and was how I kept up with Gopher Hockey until the DirecTv came up with their sports package. The girlfriend, now my wife, could not believe that I would sit out in my car (running of course with the heat on...in the driveway) in the middle of winter on a Friday night to listen.

Then came the days of listening to the live stream on 1500 (before the Gold Zone). We only had dial up so I would routinely miss 15 minutes of each game due to "buffering".

That is awesome. I think the next time someone thinks about bitching again about the games not being in HD, they should read the post by Alway's Lurking first.