Will hockey clip horse racing on Saturday?

[Merlinsky]

There's an NHL Playoff game scheduled, you guessed it, right before Preakness coverage starts on NBC. Based on past experience, if we aren't shorted at least 30 minutes, I'll be stunned. It'll probably go into some epic overtime battle with our luck. It's Boston v. Tampa Bay. Are they evenly matched or is there a heavy favorite here?

This is hardly a new thing with hockey coverage, but given the Versus/NBC link, is there any way they'd at least continue Preakness coverage over on the cable channel rather than cutting us off completely? There are Indy 500 time trials on Versus after their horse racing coverage ends, so I have a feeling we're going to get squeezed here. At least it's professional sports and not little league baseball this time.

[Danzig]

i listened to part of an interview a few weeks back on hockey this morning on sirius...nbc is really wanting to start taking on espn with their nbc/nbc sports on versus gigs. i hope, based on what i heard that day, that they make every effort to take care of the preakness should hockey go over. hockey usually runs a lot quicker than the allotted time, so here's hoping it's no worry.

[rpncaine]

Trouble is this is the Stanley Cup playoffs and the tendency is for tight, close games. Overtime is a real possiblity.

[joeydb]

Originally Posted by Merlinsky

This is hardly a new thing with hockey coverage, but given the Versus/NBC link, is there any way they'd at least continue Preakness coverage over on the cable channel rather than cutting us off completely?

Not a chance. It's all about ratings (can't blame them for that) and the presumption is that more people will tune in for NHL playoffs than the second leg of the Triple Crown. Whether that's true or not is irrelevant - perception is reality in the board room.

[bigjag0716]

hopefully it doesn't go over because I could care less of the two teams playing.




Go Sharks, however!

[Alan07]

Forecast:
Friday: T-storms. High 76F. Humidity 58%. Chance of precipitation 40%.
Saturday: Partly cloudy. High 81F. Humidity 60%. Chance of precipitation 20%.

PREAKNESS PROGRAMMING
May 20 Black-Eyed Susan S. 4-5 p.m. VERSUS
May 21 Live from the Preakness 2:30-4:30 p.m. VERSUS
May 21 Preakness S. 4:30-6:50 p.m. NBC-TV (JIP in BOS/NH & TB Markets) (Post Time 6:20 PM)
May 21 Preakness Wrap-Up 6:50-7:30 p.m. VERSUS

[Merlinsky]

They managed to spare us all horse race coverage pre-empting angst. I'm actually a little amazed. Still trying to figure out why Versus cut out Preakness coverage at 4:25pm to go back to the time trials for the Indy 500. They wanted 5 min to babble before the trials get started I guess.

[slotdirt]

I'm guessing NBC isn't showing the Dixie.

[rpncaine]

Your would be correct...maybe tape delay?

[Dahoss]

Originally Posted by slotdirt

I'm guessing NBC isn't showing the Dixie.

The races aren't important. Mindless interviews with owners and trainers where nothing is said at all is a lot more important.

I can't wait to hear the justifications for this one.

[hoovesupsideyourhead]

zito is a rascal..the 6 mill bonus at stake..its about the horse..lol

[slotdirt]

NBC blows.

[jwkniska]

Originally Posted by slotdirt

I'm guessing NBC isn't showing the Dixie.

and the worst thing is... since they have the broadcast rights, even though they're not showing it, HRTV is not allowed to show it

[Merlinsky]

Originally Posted by slotdirt

NBC blows.

Did they just give Motion's daughter the last name Grove on the chyron?

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by jwkniska

and the worst thing is... since they have the broadcast rights, even though they're not showing it, HRTV is not allowed to show it

Twinspires showed it.

[hi_im_god]

at least we haven't been subjected to another rapping jockey skit.

yet.

the "you can't possibly say anything bad about this" kid with cancer filler was an improvement even though it made me wish actual cancer on anyone involved in producing that easy piece of maudlin emotional manipulation.

cute kids and cancer. it's ratings gold.

[Alan07]

Only Churchill allows NBC to show undercard races. You can blame this on the folks at Pimlico. Now NBC isn't going to be happy with the 2.0 Belmont rating that they'll get now with no TC possible.