Ratings on NBC Sports are not trending well for the NHL. 

The Caps vs. Rangers game pulled a 1.0 rating. 

The network has shown only 5 games to date this season. With some big match ups. Read this article. The schedule has been helter skelter. 

The games start at 12:30 on a Saturday or a Sunday. That seems pretty early – it is 9:30 on the West Coast! And to go 5 weeks between broadcasts of the first game to the second game in just poorly executed programming and scheduling technique. 

If the network is serious about how it broadcasts and presents the games – it must show games with regularity – later in the day on weekends – or in prime time; it must promote the games with more vigor as to tune in; it must produce the games with a more “event” like feel; it must “reimagine” its game day presentation to have a more relevant and youthful feel; it is NOT taking advantage of how wired our fan community is – and the broadcasts do not embrace Twitter – Facebook; social video sharing; real time and interactive platforms. 

It must also celebrate the game and its stars. It must present in a more embracing and friendly main stream and youthful and modern manner. 

I am happy to see the national spotlight on hockey this coming weekend and I do believe NBC does great work with the Winter Classic. 

Comcast – which owns NBC – and the regional sports networks and some NBC affiliates – must do a more coordinated job of promotion, and create some appointment viewing. Comcast owns NBC -the DC local NBC affiliate and Comcast Sportsnet that owns the cable rights to the Washington Capitals; did you sense any cooperation and big time promotion around our last two games on NBC here in the DMV to drive ratings or viewership? Same in NYC? 

Soon – Apple Computer – Google and other new media concerns will be bidding on sports events and programming. Sports programming has very high value but doesn’t do well in a TIVO like environment. It must be seen live. It is also highly regarded by new media networks. Remember – the Super Bowl broke all records with 150 million people tuning in to watch around the world; that represents less than half the people that get onto Facebook on a daily basis! 

The world is changing. Consumer viewing habits are changing. The major networks need to be nudged to do a better job of presenting our game – we are in it together – we want the NHL to be a great experience for all on network television.