With the 2012-13 NHL season still on hold, that leaves one particular sports media outlet — NBC Sports Network — with plenty of holes on its programming calendar.
The Network was supposed to highlight over 90 regular season games along with another dozen on NBC.
However, with little progress at the negotiating table being made between the owners and the NHLPA, the NBC Sports Network has found a way to fill the vacancies: re-airing the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.
On Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday nights, the Network will feature Return to London to replace NHL cancelled games.
“Live programming is the lifeblood of any sports network,” said Jon Miller, President of Programming for NBC Sports Network. “But right now, there’s not a lot of live content that’s readily available.”
According to Miller, if the lockout continues, NBC Sports Network could air additional games from conferences it already covers like A-10 basketball.
Twitter Reacts To Recent News Concerning NBC Sports Network
NBC Sports Network’s “Return to London” programming is truly the sadest commentary on the NHL lockout #toosoon
— Ben Scurria (@BenAndTheArtOf) October 15, 2012
End the @nhl lockout! I need my @nbcsn and @nyrangers fix! #SavetheNHL
— Paul Baumann (@djpaulyb) October 9, 2012
Tonight on FSD and NBC Sports Network instead of NHL action: Red Wings re-runs and Summer Olympic re-runs! Enjoy the lockout everyone! #NHL
— Ron Balaskovitz (@Rovitz) October 15, 2012
Photo Credit: CBSSports.com
@NHL_Watch @newspin Owners this lockout is ALL on you! End it taday and you might be able to show your faces in public again.