Listening to the Canucks This Week podcast from this past Monday, there was something that was asked to Dan Murphy that caught my ear.
Why are there not more Canucks games in high-definition, more so why Sportsnet doesn’t show any at all?
Answer: there is only one HD Sportsnet channel for all of Canada, but this doesn’t play well with the fact that all Canucks games on Sportsnet are regional broadcasts. NHL rules prohibit regional games from being aired nationally, and Sportsnet does not have the technical capability to blackout specific regions on their HD channel.
The network is in the process of moving into new facilities next year, which, according to Murphy, will include four, different HD control rooms that will enable them to show more games on Sportsnet in high-def. More than likely, all the network flavors will be getting the HD upgrade when that facility comes online.
Murphy did say “next year”, so I’m unsure if that implies 2008 or next season. Hopefully sooner rather than later. Keeping my fingers crossed, this might also see the Canucks pay per view go into HD. I wouldn’t bank on it, but a guy can hope, right?