John T. Whelan wrote:
 
>        Really?  I suppose there were still TV timeouts for the
> assorted RSNs and commercial stations carrying the regionals.  I'm
> sure I'm the only one who feels this way, but I'd be pretty happy if
> the NC$$ put all their eggs in the PPV basket, made sure the
> broadcasts were available thru cable outlets and not just mini-dishes,
> and then played the regionals without TV timeouts.  It would be a
> reduction in service for the TV audience (although that PBS station in
> DC could still pick it up), but make the hockey itself better.  To me,
> that's an acceptible tradeoff.  (It's also why I'm glad that most
> regular season games are not televised.)
 
Actually, there is another solution.  Normal MSC broadcasts of Gopher
games manages commercials with a minimum of disruption.  There is only one
ad shown per break, meaning that the extra time before the face off is
inconsequential.  Part of the reason it works is that Gopher hockey only
has about three sponsors (Hardee's, Tires Plus, & Jeep/Eagle, to give an
free mention to those that bring us the games), so there really aren't
that many commercials to run.  Still, this system ought to be possible on
an ESPN broadcast if you show one commercial at a far higher number of the
breaks.  This would mean less explanatory chatter during stoppages, but
that wouldn't always be a bad thing.
 
J. Michael Neal
 
HOCKEY-L is for discussion of college ice hockey;  send information to
[log in to unmask], The College Hockey Information List.