Like many hockey fans, I was just happy that hockey was back this year. I didnt care that ESPN didnt renew their TV contract with the NHL – I figured OLN might have a few hiccups, but overall they would do fine. I was wrong. OLN has been a disaster all season long and its not getting better.
I understand that they have never done the NHL before and that they only had a few months to hire announcers, camera crews, build a set, etc. But the worst part about it is that they havent been improving and learning from their mistakes. The broadcasts are still as mediocre as they were on opening night.
After watching the opening weekend of the 2006 NHL Playoffs, here are my thoughts:
– The camera angles are mediocre at best. The camera for the first 10 minutes of the Red Wings vs. Oilers Game 1 was zoomed out to the point where I could see the entire ice. This would be great except for the fact that its IMPOSSIBLE to see the puck or read a jersey number (and no, Im not watching on a 13 TV). They fixed it a few minutes later, but are these the things that we should have to deal with in the post season? Shouldnt they have figured out how to film a game at...