Monday, NBC announced their 2018-19 national television broadcast schedule. The Anaheim Ducks are more prominent, but not that much more. We take a look at the Ducks appearances in the spotlight.
NBC, who owns the National Hockey League broadcast rights for the United States, released their broadcast schedule for the upcoming season. The announcement caused an immediate firestorm among fans across the country. There is, however, good news for members Anaheim Ducks Nation.
The Controversy
If you like the Chicago Blackhawks or want to watch the defending Stanley Cup Champion Washington Capitals it’s going to be an eventful season. Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Boston, and New York Rangers supporters can catch almost a sixth of their respective seasons on NBC or NBCSN. The Anaheim Ducks, San Jose, and Vegas lead teams west of the central time zone with eight national appearances each.
NBC is diversifying their NHL coverage this season. You'll be able to catch both Washington at Chicago *and* Chicago at Washington. pic.twitter.com/ycnevhUkOC
— Dimitri Filipovic (@DimFilipovic) August 13, 2018
I understand why the broadcast schedule is why it what it is. NBC and NBCSN are going to show games with the most appeal to as many people as possible. That group is in the northeast corridor and Chicago. What should make those in the west a little happier, is the network increased the number of doubleheaders they show to 17, increasing the exposure of teams in the Central and Pacific Divisions.
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Ducks on TV
There is bad news and good news. The bad news is Anaheim doesn’t play on NBC proper at all this season. On the bright side, they do play on NBCSN eight nights during the regular season including opening night. The better news is Los Angeles gets the national spotlight only five times.
It all starts on opening night, at San Jose which will be on NBCSN at 7:30. It was going to be a good game without the whole country watching. The Ducks will be looking for some payback after being embarrassed by San Jose in last year’s playoffs. It will be even more special when it happens on the national stage.
Next up is another road game, this time in Vegas on November 14 at 7:30. Maybe we get one of those cool VGK pregame shows before puck drop. Anaheim on NBCSN in 2018 ends with a home game against Chicago on December 5, at 7:30. It’s the first of six straight national telecasts originating from the Honda Center.
The Ducks next appearance on NBCSN doesn’t happen until a full month after the All-Star Game. Chicago is once again the opponent. If the Hawks make18 national appearances, why not show two of them from the O.C.?
The final five weeks of the regular season spotlights the Ducks four more times. March 6, against St. Louis; March 10, against Los Angeles; March 20 versus Winnipeg, all starting at 7 pm Pacific Time. It all concludes with a 7:30 home game on April 3 against Calgary.
Final Thoughts
I think its great that six Ducks home games are on NBCSN. The rest of the NHL has a chance to see what great fans attend games at the Honda Center. In 1993, when the Mighty Ducks first took the ice, who would have thought the team would be on national television two more times than Detroit and three more than L.A.? Things are changing, but very slowly.