NHL Network (U.S.)

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NHL Network is a planned U.S. cable network devoted to the National Hockey League (NHL), and the sport of ice hockey. A Canadian version of NHL Network has been on the air since 2001.

As a result of the agreement between the NHL and U.S. cable company Comcast that places NHL games on their Versus network (known at the time of the deal as OLN), the American version of NHL Network is in development as a joint venture between the NHL and Comcast ^[1]. It is unknown if the U.S. version of NHL Network will be a straightforward simulcast of the Canadian version or have its own programming with emphasis on U.S.-based NHL teams. As of October 2006, a job posting has been placed on NHL.com for an open position at the U.S. version of NHL Network. ^[2] This job posting mentions coordination with the Canadian NHL Network, which means if the network isn't a complete simulcast, it will share programs from its Canadian counterpart.

NHL Network, if launched as proposed, will be the third U.S. cable network devoted to a major sports league. NBA TV launched in 1999, with NFL Network following in 2003. Discussions had been made for a Major League Baseball network, but development for it has slowed down.

Comcast, owner of cable networks like Versus, E! Entertainment Television and G4, is also one of the largest operators of cable systems in the United States. They are contractually obligated to have NHL Network on its systems by summer 2007 at the latest, so it should be available in the United States beginning with either the 2006-07 or 2007-08 NHL season. If Comcast does not launch the NHL Network by summer 2007, they have to pay a $15 million penalty to the NHL. ^[3] However, both Comcast and the NHL have an option to end their contract after the 2006-07 season, which would void Comcast's obligation to launch a U.S. version of NHL Network.^[4] According to hockeybuzz.com^[5], the NHL Network U.S. already has a control center already up and ready to go in Washington D.C. The only problems getting in the way of the launch now is that the NHL wants the network to be paid for by the customer, and there are other money issues involved as well between the cable companies and the NHL. The NHL is making sure the network is up and running by playoff time, so an official announcement on the network's launch date is expected any day now.