Don Cherry spent his Coach's Corner segment Saturday night wanting the status quo. But if he and the CBC play their cards well, Cherry might get more screen time, something he usually complains about not getting.
Rogers has the CBC over a barrel next fall with the new TV contract. Saturday nights are owned by Rogers, including Coach's Corner. But they don't control Friday nights.
The CBC could schedule a 30-minute show devoted to the NHL between "Marketplace" and "The Fifth Estate" on Friday nights. No live game action, just commentary and analysis about the NHL. And Don Cherry can have as much time as he can handle.
6 minutes is not enough time for Don Cherry, but 22 minutes might be too much. Ron MacLean would be there to help out. Elliotte Friedman, Glenn Healy, and other current CBC staff will likely jump to Rogers, and Rogers may frown on having their new employees work a NHL show on the CBC.
If you're wondering whether a Friday night show would violate the Rogers deal, TSN can still run "That's Hockey." Nothing stops the CBC from running its own show that covers the NHL.
CBC would keep any advertising revenue it makes off the 30-minute show. If Rogers also wants Cherry to do "Coach's Corner," either on Rogers Sportsnet or the CBC, that decision is up to the parties involved.
Sure, a Friday night show would steal thunder from a "Coach's Corner" segment on Saturday nights. Cherry owes his post-coaching career to the CBC; this way, he can repay the favor.
Yes, Cherry can annoy certain segments of the general public and the CBC audience. CBC needs a way to make money off the NHL and have a water cooler type show. And Don Cherry is the only one that can do both.
photo credit: CBC
Cool suggestion! Only thing is would CBC be allowed to show game footage as part of this Friday night program? See, right now CBC, TSN and Sportsnet are all NHL rightsholders, regional or national, and thus can show highlights. But if CBC isn't paying rights fees, could they do so for a show as you've proposed which is supposed to make money off the NHL?
Also: the way Healy was acting on Saturday, it doesn't sound like he expects to be retained by Rogers.
Posted by: Tyler | December 03, 2013 at 04:28 PM
I figure CBC can show limited footage. After all, TSN will still cover hockey on SportsCentre. CBC won't do the suggestion if they think it will upset Rogers. That is the flaw in the plan.
As for Healy, his attitude is part of his charm. And former CBC folks are running Rogers. So Healy should be safe. They will have to decide whether Healy will be in the studio or between the benches.
Posted by: Chad | December 04, 2013 at 12:33 AM
TSN will still be able to cover hockey as a regional rightsholder. Like SN right now. But I, too, figure limited use of footage would be possible.
You may be right about Healy. He'd probably be more useful between the benches since Rogers doesn't have many experienced at that role. Plenty of studio guys already.
Posted by: Tyler | December 05, 2013 at 11:52 AM
CBC has moved to keep Glenn Healy in the studio when possible and give Garry Galley more time in between the benches. But Rogers will have editorial control next year. I envision Hughson/Simpson/Healy on Rogers next fall.
Posted by: Chad | December 05, 2013 at 02:31 PM
They are the current team for the SCF on CBC so it is certainly a safe play to keep it that way at least in the short term, yes.
Posted by: Tyler | December 05, 2013 at 04:19 PM