Re: ESPN America HD update Still in negotiations
 

With no NHL coverage it is of no use whats so ever

Re: ESPN America HD update Still in negotiations
 

Totally agree.

Re: ESPN America HD update Still in negotiations
 

In your opinion ;)

Re: ESPN America HD update Still in negotiations
 

Funny, I'm rather enjoying the lack of NHL coverage as it means I get to watch more college football than in previous years.

Re: ESPN America HD update Still in negotiations
 

Couldnt agree more , nothing beats a good CFB game on a Saturday.

Re: ESPN America HD update Still in negotiations
 

ESPN America is, IMO, the most significant HD channel currently missing from the VM channel line-up. Hopefully it will appear in the near future.

Re: ESPN America HD update Still in negotiations
 

If only VM would come to that conclusion as well.

Re: ESPN America HD update Still in negotiations
 

Whilst i do watch College hoops and football on ocasion the loss of NHL and NBA is a major let down.

i do feel with the MLB season over the schedules are very watered down at the mo- almost to the point that for the first time in since NASN came to our screens i have questioned my subscription. ESPN America HD is well overdue- its on other platforms so what is taking negotiations so long for VM.

the NBA strike was obviously beyond TV's control but to allow NHL rights to go to a small market channel like Premier Sports is unforgivable. Not sure what happened as i doubt Premier Sports can challenge financially the might of the ESPN network so presumably cant see how they would outbid them. if it was the choice of NHL execs ...well that defies any logic. Would be interested to know what viewing figures premier Sports pull in for NHL? Not exactly promoting the sport to the fullest are we NHL.

I subscribe to MLB.com in the summer so unless the situation with HD and NHL is sorted for next year i may well cancel ESPN America..i doubt i will be alone.

Re: ESPN America HD update Still in negotiations
 

We will know one way by July 2013 (When the EPL deal is up - I think Virgin sign an four year date with ESPN when Setanta Sports went under.)

Re: ESPN America HD update Still in negotiations
 

Lets hope we will have ESPN America HD by July 2013!

Re: ESPN America HD update Still in negotiations
 

I never thought of it like that - you are quite right my friend though I do like NHL as well to be honest.

Re: ESPN America HD update Still in negotiations
 

I think the blame for this lands squarely at the feet of the NHL. They didn't like the fact that one station had the pan-European rights as they wanted to sell individual rights to channels in each country in the hopes of getting more money. It seems to have backfired though, as only a couple of channels went for the rights. I think this will be good for ESPN next time the rights are up for grabs as they'll probably be able to get them for an even better price than before.

Re: ESPN America HD update Still in negotiations
 

i hope so. I am a really big NHL fan and cant believe I am not able to watch any this season. I was tempted by NHL center ice package but as most are evening starts in North America i would not watch many live due to the time difference.

Unlike MLB which has enough day games to wath live to make their package worthwhile to me.

i shall make do with the hihlights on the NHL.com site. better than nowt.

Re: ESPN America HD update Still in negotiations
 

Same here, it is disappointing not to be able to watch HNIC.