I'm not surprised that a second-rate station like WABU was forced to drop BU hockey but NESN's decision really surprises me. College hockey is really well received in NEW England and from a PR standpoint, I believe that it is a poor decision. Alot of questions about Hockey East games on TV now come to question. Can schools that have other successful Division I sports such as Boston College (football and basketball), Providence (basketball) and UMASS (basketball) package all their Division I sports into a TV contract? If this could occur, a big shift in recruiting could occur. Afterall, who wants to play at a school that never gets TV coverage? >>> Karen Ambrose <[log in to unmask]> 12/15/96 10:56am >>> Today's Boston Globe (12/15/96) brings the news that New England Sports Network (NESN) will drop coverage of Hockey East after this season. The stated reason is that the relationship is no longer "financially viable". According to John Claiborne, NESN President & GM "it's been a great run but, finally, because of the amount of expenses, we weren't getting the return, dollar-for dollar." The NESN/Hockey realtionship goes back to the inception of the league back in 1984. Over that period NESN has televised over 300 games for Hockey East. This news follows on the heels of WABU (Ch 68), Boston to scale back their coverage of Boston University hockey this year as well. A double hit for college hockey fans this year. I have a couple of thoughts about this news. First, from NESN's standpoint it makes perfect sense. If they are losing money, why continue with the effort? Unlike random college basketball (where production comes from somewhere else) or the hunting and fishing shows (which are syndicated), the expense of producing college hockey games was all NESN's, thus the viewership had to be higher to make it economically feasible. In the past, NESN could more readily absorb the deficit because of the money they made on televising Bruins and Red Sox games. However, in the last few years, viewership of both these teams has dropped, subscription money has decreased and, as a result, the quasi-subsidization of college hockey, local college football and the like has been scaled back or dropped. I think the only way eastern college hockey will get back on the tube on a regular basis (not including the Beanpot and league championships) is if the leagues produce their own telecasts and then sells the rights, similar to what the NCAA does. My observation after seeing the paltry attendance at some schools (especially Providence and Merrimack) is that it won't be happening soon. When several of the schools in the league struggle to get decent attendance at an on-campus rink how can we expect that the sport will draw enough interest among the general public to warrant such an expense. I will miss the NESN telecasts. I guess it will drive me to purchasing a Direct-TV dish so I can get my fix of non-UNH college hockey. Is there a chance that the situation could be saved? Greg Ambrose, UNH '72 Go (UNH) Blue !!, Beat Bucky!! HOCKEY-L is for discussion of college ice hockey; send information to [log in to unmask], The College Hockey Information List. HOCKEY-L is for discussion of college ice hockey; send information to [log in to unmask], The College Hockey Information List.