Draft Night on a Friday...Where News Goes to Die
Posted 3:50 PM ET | Comments 5
I wrote earlier in my first blog about how the ratings etc. are not always what they appear, especially considering the total lack of any traditional/large US markets in the Stanley Cup Finals over the past four years compared to the other three major team sports.
I also mentioned, however, that certain things are just getting messed up by the NHL. Hence my surprise last week when I realized the NHL draft's first round was scheduled for a Friday night (not Thursday as I had assumed). Friday night...where news stories go to die. If a bad story comes out for the government or a corporation, they try to get it out late Friday or early Saturday so people don't read about it until Sunday morning (if at all), or especially at work the next day. I'm pretty sure any news reporter on this site knows this.
Hence, the perfect place for the first round of the NHL draft...on Versus...
I'm thinking 20,000 people watching this in the US? Maybe? I'm a die-hard fan, but like most people in this country, I already had plans that preclude me from watching. Had my Thursday all free. Guess I'll just have to watch the NBA draft...the following THURSDAY when things like this are supposed to be on. I don't even really like the NBA, but they make the draft interesting at least...and put it on a night when people will watch and be able to watch. Wonder how those Friday night NHL draft parties will be. Well-attended I'm sure...because people go out to bars on Friday night. I wonder if all the teams will play up how crowded their draft parties are because they happen to be at a bar that is normally crowded anyway.
I try to stay positive about the game, the league, and the business side of things, but I was disappointed by this. Not just because I can't watch, but mostly because it just doesn't seem very well thought out. Or, possibly, Versus had something better on Thursday night? They sure did for the awards ceremony evening...
I also mentioned, however, that certain things are just getting messed up by the NHL. Hence my surprise last week when I realized the NHL draft's first round was scheduled for a Friday night (not Thursday as I had assumed). Friday night...where news stories go to die. If a bad story comes out for the government or a corporation, they try to get it out late Friday or early Saturday so people don't read about it until Sunday morning (if at all), or especially at work the next day. I'm pretty sure any news reporter on this site knows this.
Hence, the perfect place for the first round of the NHL draft...on Versus...
I'm thinking 20,000 people watching this in the US? Maybe? I'm a die-hard fan, but like most people in this country, I already had plans that preclude me from watching. Had my Thursday all free. Guess I'll just have to watch the NBA draft...the following THURSDAY when things like this are supposed to be on. I don't even really like the NBA, but they make the draft interesting at least...and put it on a night when people will watch and be able to watch. Wonder how those Friday night NHL draft parties will be. Well-attended I'm sure...because people go out to bars on Friday night. I wonder if all the teams will play up how crowded their draft parties are because they happen to be at a bar that is normally crowded anyway.
I try to stay positive about the game, the league, and the business side of things, but I was disappointed by this. Not just because I can't watch, but mostly because it just doesn't seem very well thought out. Or, possibly, Versus had something better on Thursday night? They sure did for the awards ceremony evening...
I agree, and why are they splitting it over 2 days? Why not do it all on Saturday like previous years? What a joke.
You're right. I work in media. Friday is dead day - you might as well wait for Monday (which is good for me as it gives me an extra three days if I'm behind schedule!). I imagine there's some background story we don't know, like the Holiday Inn burned down or the arena was booked on Thursday for a flea circus.
Versus needs programing and the NHL wanted to move the first round to Primetime. The NHL always drafted over two days. Saturday they drafted through the third round then Sunday the finished up.
I disagree. Friends and I are getting together to watch it, and have a few beers while doing so. Probably would not do that on a Thursday night.
The worst thing is like bluesfan said. One round only on Friday. That pretty much kills it.