The histroy of the Versus TV Channel
NOTE: There will be no new episodes until September 21st, 2023.
The National Hockey League in the early 2000s was looking to grow its TV Revenue. The Versus TV channel or the Versus network was the answer for nearly six years. The channel was later rebranded as the NBC Sports Network (NBCSN). Versus was a cable and satellite television network in the United States that primarily focused on sports programming, not just hockey alone. Here's a brief history of the NHL's presence on Versus/NBCSN:
Launch and Early Years (2005-2011): Versus entered the NHL broadcasting scene in the United States in 2005 when it acquired the cable rights to televise NHL games. This was a significant development for the NHL as it provided the league with a dedicated cable network for broadcasting games. During this period, Versus was the primary cable home for the NHL, and it helped increase the league's visibility.
2005-2006 Season: In its inaugural season as an NHL broadcaster, Versus aired regular-season games, playoff games, and even some exclusive rights to early-round playoff games.
Name Change to NBCSN (2012): In 2012, the Versus network underwent a rebranding and became the NBC Sports Network (NBCSN). Despite the name change, NBCSN continued to be the primary cable home for NHL coverage in the United States.
Exclusive Broadcasting Rights: The NHL signed a 10-year broadcasting deal with NBC Sports Group in 2011, which included both NBC and NBCSN. This deal gave NBCSN exclusive rights to many NHL games, including regular-season matchups and playoff games.
Winter Classic and Other NHL Events: NBCSN also broadcasted special NHL events like the Winter Classic, Stadium Series, and All-Star Games, which became annual highlights on the network.
Stanley Cup Playoffs: NBCSN played a significant role in broadcasting the Stanley Cup Playoffs, often featuring exclusive coverage of early-round playoff games. The network provided extensive pre-game and post-game analysis, helping to promote the NHL's postseason.
End of NBCSN (2021): In early 2021, NBC announced that it would be shutting down NBCSN by the end of the year. This move was part of a broader strategy to consolidate its sports content on the USA Network and Peacock streaming service. As a result, NBCSN's coverage of the NHL came to an end.
Transition to New Broadcast Partners (2021): Starting in the 2021-2022 NHL season, ESPN and Turner Sports became the new U.S. broadcast partners for the NHL, ending NBCSN's tenure as the primary cable home for NHL games. ESPN and TNT took over the rights to broadcast regular-season and playoff games, with ESPN also securing the rights to the Stanley Cup Finals.
In summary, Versus, later NBCSN, played a crucial role in broadcasting NHL games and events in the United States from 2005 until its closure in 2021. The network helped boost the NHL's visibility and reach among American hockey fans before the broadcasting rights shifted to ESPN and Turner Sports.