NHL on USA

NHL on USA
Genre	Sports
Created by	USA Network Sports
Starring	See list of commentators section
Country of origin	United States
Language(s)	English
No. of seasons	6
Production
Running time	180 minutes
Broadcast
Original channel	USA Network
Original run	1979 (1979) – May 30, 1985 (1985-05-30)
Chronology
Related shows	NHL on NBC NHL on Versus
External links
Website

NHL on USA is the de facto title of a former television show that broadcast National Hockey League games on the USA Network. The network last broadcast games in 1985. As part of the recent American national television contract with the NHL, USA may return to airing NHL games by serving as an overflow channel for NHL playoff games that cannot air on sister networks Versus or NBC between 2012 and 2021. (Since 2006, USA has had some coverage of top level hockey by cooperating with NBC's coverage of ice hockey at the Winter Olympics in 2006 and 2010.)

History

Before the USA Network came to be (1969-1979)

Manhattan Cable and HBO

Manhattan Cable (subsequently referred to as the MSG Network) debuted in the spring of 1969 and did all home events from the Madison Square Garden: New York Knicks basketball, New York Rangers hockey, college basketball, horse shows, Golden Gloves boxing, tennis, the Westminster Dog Show, ice capades, professional wrestling, etc. The first reference to the channel as “MSG Network” was sometime around 1971–72, although the name did not become official until 1977.

The first televised events were NHL and NBA playoffs in the spring of 1969; in those playoffs Marty Glickman did play-by-play for the Knicks broadcasts while Win Elliott did play-by-play for the Rangers.

Meanwhile, HBO began simulcasting some MSG games in 1972 beginning with the Rangers/Vancouver Canucks game on November 8, 1972 (the first ever program televised on HBO, to a few subscribers in Wilkes-Barre, PA). 1974–75 marked the only year in which HBO used MSG announcers for their feed. Because HBO is a premium cable service, this created a burden on announcers to fill in dead airtime on HBO while commercials aired on MSG Network. HBO did not broadcast Knicks or Rangers games after the 1976–77 season.

UA-Columbia

When the MSG/HBO marriage ended in 1977, Madison Square Garden proceeded to seek a new partner to launch a national network to show off its events. So for several years, beginning with the 1977–78 season, all MSG home events (such as those involving the Knicks, Rangers, etc.) were then televised on a fledgling network that would eventually become known as the USA Network. This channel, which debuted on September 22, 1977, was basically a continuation of the existing MSG Network. The key difference however, was that it was now nationally syndicated via satellite rather than terrestrially. It was also the first cable channel to be supported by advertising revenues. By this time, the channel was officially called the “Madison Square Garden Network” or MSG Network.

In 1979–80, the National Hockey League replaced their syndicated coverage package The NHL Network with a package on USA.^[1] At the time, the USA Network was called UA-Columbia.^[2] As the immediate forerunner for the USA Network, UA-Columbia, served as the cable syndicated arm of MSG Network in New York, PRISM channel in Philadelphia, and whatever pay/cable outlets were around in 1979.

The formation of the USA Network

On April 9, 1980, the Madison Square Garden Network changed its name to the USA Network^[3]. This occurred when the ownership structure was reorganized under a joint operating agreement by the UA-Columbia Cablevision cable system (now known as Cablevision Systems Corporation) and MCA (then the parent of Universal Studios, now owned by NBC Universal). Things took a step further one year later when, Time Inc. (which eventually merged with Warner Communications to form Time Warner) and Paramount Pictures Corp. (then a division of Gulf+Western, now owned by Viacom) took minority ownership stakes in USA. G+W also owned the New York Rangers and the MSG regional sports television network (both later owned by Cablevision, but spun off in 2010).

Coverage overview (1979–1985)

As previously mentioned USA's (or UA-Columbia as it was known at the time) coverage begin in the 1979–80 season as a Monday night series^[4] with Dan Kelly^[5] doing play-by-play alongside a variety of commentators including Pete Stemkowski, Lou Nanne and Brian McFarlane. Meanwhile, Scott Wahle was the intermission host on most games.

1980-81 season

For the 1980–81 season,^[6] some Sunday night games were added. Dan Kelly once again, did most of the play-by-play alongside Mike Eruzione.^[7][8] Dick Carlson and Jiggs McDonald also did play-by-play work on occasion. In addition, Don Cherry was a commentator for at least one game. Meanwhile, Jim West was the host for most games.

With USA's coverage of the 1981 Stanley Cup Playoffs, it marked the first time that there was "blanket" American television coverage of the NHL playoffs. In other words, more often than not that, whenever a game was played it was televised on a national outlet (whether it was broadcast or cable). USA however, didn't televise Game 1 of the playoff series between Philadelphia Flyers and Calgary Flames (April 16) because of they were instead, broadcasting a baseball game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Philadelphia Phillies. Meanwhile, they also skipped Games 2–6 (on April 17, 22 and 24) of the Philadelphia–Calgary series because of their coverage of the NBA playoffs. USA also didn't televise Games 2 and 5 of the playoff series between the Calgary Flames and Minnesota North Stars (April 30 and May 7 respectively) because of baseball games involving the Minnesota Twins vs. the Boston Red Sox and the Los Angeles Dodgers vs. the Philadelphia Phillies respectively.

1981-82 season

In the 1981–82 season, Al Trautwig took over as studio host. Dan Kelly did play-by-play with either Gary Green^[9][10] or Rod Gilbert on color commentary. For the playoffs, Dick Carlson and Al Albert^[11] were added as play-by-play voices of some games. Meanwhile, Jim Van Horne hosted Stanley Cup Finals games played in Vancouver.

In April 1982, USA outbid ESPN for the NHL's American national television cable package with $8 million (at least $2 million more than what ESPN was offering).^[12]

1982-83 and 1983-84 seasons

Things pretty much the remained the same for USA during the 1982–83 season. Dan Kelly and Gary Green called most games, while Al Albert did play-by-play on several playoff^[13] games and hosted one game of the Stanley Cup Finals. USA didn't cover any playoff game on April 7, 1983 because they were broadcasting second round highlights of The Masters. This was followed by a West Coast NBA telecast.

In the 1983–84 season, USA covered over 40 games^[14] including the playoffs. While Gary Green did all the games, Dan Kelly and Al Albert did roughly 20 games each. Meanwhile, Jiggs McDonald helped broadcast one game.

Because USA was airing Masters highlights, Game 1 of the 1984 playoff series between the Minnesota North Stars and St. Louis Blues (April 12) and Game 2 of the playoff series between the New York Islanders and Washington Capitals (April 13) were aired on tape delay at 10:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

Final season

For USA's final season of NHL coverage in 1984–85,^[15][16] Dan Kelly^[17] and Gary Green once again, did most games, while Al Albert and Green called the rest. In all, USA covered about 55 games, including 33 in the regular season^[18]. Also, Hartford Whalers goaltender Mike Liut was added as an intermission analyst for the Stanley Cup Finals.^[19][20]

Meanwhile, for increased publicity opportunities, the Stroh Brewing Company turned to such sports as hockey—which had been overlooked by Anheuser and Miller—and sponsored broadcasts of National Hockey League games on the USA cable network.^[21]

List of commentators

Play-by-play

• Al Albert (1981–82 through 1984–85)
• Dick Carlson (1980–81 through 1981–82)
• Dan Kelly (1979–80 through 1984–85)
• Jiggs McDonald (1980–81 through 1983–84)

Color commentary

• Don Cherry (1980–81)
• Mike Eruzione (1980–81)
• Phil Esposito (1980–81)
• Rod Gilbert (1981–82)
• Gary Green (1981–82 through 1984–85)
• Brian McFarlane (1979–80)
• Lou Nanne (1979–80)
• Pete Stemkowski (1979–80)

Studio hosts

• Al Albert (1982–83)
• Al Trautwig (1981–82 through 1984–85)
• Jim Van Horne (1981–82)
• Scott Wahle (1979–80)
• Jim West (1980–81)

Studio analysts

• Mike Liut (1984–85)

Playoff commentating crews

Year	Round	Teams	Games	Play-by-play	Color commentator(s)
1980	First round	Buffalo-Vancouver	Game 3 (CBC's feed)	Jim Robson	Howie Meeker
1981	First round	Los Angeles-New York Rangers	Game 2	Dick Carlson
	Quarterfinals	St. Louis-New York Rangers	Game 3	Dick Carlson	Mike Eruzione
		Philadelphia-Calgary	Game 7	Dan Kelly	Mike Eruzione
	Semifinals	New York Islanders-New York Rangers	Games 1, 3	Dan Kelly	Mike Eruzione
		Calgary-Minnesota	Games 3–4, 6	Dan Kelly	Mike Eruzione
1982	Divisional semifinals	New York Islanders-Pittsburgh	Games 3, 5	Dick Carlson (Game 3) Dan Kelly	Gary Green
		Minnesota-Chicago	Game 1	Al Albert	Gary Green
	Divisional finals	New York Islanders-New York Rangers	Games 2, 6	Dick Carlson	Gary Green
		Boston-Quebec	Games 5, 7	Dick Carlson (Game 5) Dan Kelly (Game 7)	Gary Green
		Boston-Chicago	Game 4	Dick Carlson	Gary Green
		Vancouver-Los Angeles	Game 3	Dick Carlson	Gary Green
	Conference finals	New York Islanders-Quebec	Games 2, 4	Dan Kelly	Gary Green
		Chicago-Vancouver	Games 1, 5	Dan Kelly	Gary Green
1983	Divisional semifinals	Philadelphia-New York Rangers	Game 3	Al Albert	Gary Green
		New York Islanders-Washington	Games 1, 4	Al Albert	Gary Green
		Boston-Quebec	Game 1	Al Albert	Gary Green
	Divisional finals	New York Islanders-New York Rangers	Games 2, 4, 6	Dan Kelly	Gary Green
		Boston-Buffalo	Games 5, 7	Dan Kelly	Gary Green
		Chicago-Minnesota	Game 3	Dan Kelly	Gary Green
		Edmonton-Calgary	Game 1 (taped delayed)	Dan Kelly	Gary Green
	Conference finals	New York Islanders-Boston	Games 1–3, 5–6	Dan Kelly	Gary Green
		Edmonton-Chicago	Games 1, 3–4	Dan Kelly	Gary Green
1984	Conference semifinals	Buffalo-Quebec	Game 2	Al Albert	Gary Green
	Conference semifinals	New York Islanders-New York Rangers	Games 1, 4–5	Al Albert (Games 1, 4) Dan Kelly (Game 5)	Gary Green
		Washington-Philadelphia	Game 3	Al Albert	Gary Green
	Divisional finals	Quebec-Montreal	Games 4, 6	Al Albert	Gary Green
		New York Islanders-Washington	Games 2 (taped delay), 3, 5	Al Albert	Gary Green
		Minnesota-St. Louis	Games 1 (taped delay), 7	Al Albert	Gary Green
	Conference finals	Montreal-New York Islanders	Games 2-3, 5-6	Dan Kelly	Gary Green
		Edmonton-Minnesota	Games 1, 4	Dan Kelly	Gary Green
1985	Divisional semifinals	Washington-New York Islanders	Games 3–5	Al Albert (Games 3–4) Dan Kelly (Game 5)	Gary Green
		St. Louis-Minnesota	Game 1	Dan Kelly	Gary Green
	Divisional finals	Philadelphia-New York Islanders	Game 3	Al Albert	Gary Green
		Montreal-Quebec	Games 2, 5–7	Al Albert (Games 2, 6) Dan Kelly (Games 5, 7)	Gary Green
		Chicago-Minnesota	Games 1, 4–5	Dan Kelly (Game 1) Al Albert (Games 4–5)	Gary Green
		Oilers-Winnipeg	Game 2	Dan Kelly	Gary Green
	Conference finals	Quebec-Philadelphia	Games 1–2, 5	Al Albert	Gary Green
		Edmonton-Chicago	Games 1, 3–4, 6	Al Albert	Gary Green

See also

• List of New York Rangers broadcasters

References

1. ^ Cable television regulation: hearings before the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Finance of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, House of Representatives, One Hundred First Congress, second session, Volume 2. 1990. p. 82. http://books.google.com/books?id=TGgjAAAAMAAJ&q=National+Hockey+League+on+USA+Network&dq=National+Hockey+League+on+USA+Network&hl=en&ei=_D9HTaLZFoKmsQPr2MCpAg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=10&ved=0CGwQ6AEwCQ. 
2. ^ Anderson, Dave (December 30, 1979). "'I'll set women's tennis back 20 years'; Champs Come and Go; TV's Forever". New York Times: p. DX8. 
3. ^ Parsons, Patrick. "Blue skies: a history of cable television". http://books.google.com/books?id=NIFS_EqkOvYC&pg=PA387&sig=EyCIwAYHRDbnpmq8YDWP69YsKyY&hl=en#v=onepage&q&f=false. 
4. ^ Baker, Kent (March 1, 1981). "2 Eastern-based firms corner growing sports cable TV market". Baltimore Sun. http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/baltsun/access/1878084092.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Mar+01%2C+1981&author=&pub=The+Sun+%281837-1985%29&desc=2+Eastern-based+firms+corner+growing+sports+cable+TV+market&pqatl=google. 
5. ^ Taaffe, William (March 11, 1985). "Hockey's Lord Of The Rinks". Sports Illustrated. http://cnnsi.printthis.clickability.com/pt/cpt?action=cpt&title=A+man+of+many+mikes%2C+Dan+Kelly+broadcasts+145+games+for+-+03.11.85+-+SI+Vault&expire=&urlID=413311527&fb=Y&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsportsillustrated.cnn.com%2Fvault%2Farticle%2Fmagazine%2FMAG1119217%2Findex.htm&partnerID=289881. 
6. ^ Edes, Gordon (October 9, 1980). "A Troubled NHL Begins Season". Los Angeles Times: p. OC_B2. 
7. ^ Swift, E.M. (December 22, 1980). "After-dinner Speakers And Designated Mop-ups". Sports Illustrated. http://cnnsi.printthis.clickability.com/pt/cpt?action=cpt&title=After-dinner+Speakers+And+Designated+Mop-ups+-+12.22.80+-+SI+Vault&expire=&urlID=412192242&fb=Y&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsportsillustrated.cnn.com%2Fvault%2Farticle%2Fmagazine%2FMAG1124072%2Findex.htm&partnerID=289881. 
8. ^ Green, Ted (February 22, 1981). "Reality Shattered the Golden Dream". Los Angeles Times: p. E1. 
9. ^ "Gary Green". NHL.com. http://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=59765. Retrieved 2010-07-17. 
10. ^ Rosa, Francis (May 9, 1982). "STARS CHASING BELLOWS; NANNE SEEKS BRUIN DEAL". Boston Globe: p. 1. 
11. ^ "Al Albert". pacers.com. http://www.nba.com/pacers/media/al_albert_bio.html. 
12. ^ Taaffe, William (January 24, 1983). "Getting Down To Business". Sports Illustrated. http://cnnsi.printthis.clickability.com/pt/cpt?action=cpt&title=Beleaguered+ESPN+will+try+to+cut+its+losses+with+a+-+01.24.83+-+SI+Vault&expire=&urlID=431523172&fb=Y&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsportsillustrated.cnn.com%2Fvault%2Farticle%2Fmagazine%2FMAG1120452%2Findex.htm&partnerID=289881. 
13. ^ Milbert, Neil (April 22, 1983). "Black Hawks have to heal fast". Chicago Tribune: p. D1. 
14. ^ "USA NETWORK MAKING SOME MAJOR-LEAGUE CUTS". Miami Herald: p. 7F. February 10, 1984. 
15. ^ Stewart, Larry (August 2, 1985). "Rams in the Dark as Channel 2 Drops Exhibition Games". Los Angeles Times: p. 3. 
16. ^ Harasta, Cathy (May 24, 1985). "NETWORKS WOULD RACE TO TELEVISE INDY LIVE". Dallas Morning News. 
17. ^ "Stockton, Walker Get a Break as Big Call Goes Their Way". Los Angeles Times: p. 3. September 20, 1985. 
18. ^ Craig, Jack (June 24, 1984). "OLYMPIC JITTERS SET IN AT ABC". Boston Globe: p. 1. 
19. ^ Shope, Dan (May 21, 1985). "KERR WILL PLAY AS FLYERS TAKE ON OILERS TONIGHT STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS". Allentown Morning Call: p. C01. 
20. ^ Baker, Chris (May 25, 1985). "Bob Clarke (Left) and Bobby Clarke (Right): 2 Sides of Success With the Flyers, Who Are at Home in Stanley Cup Final". Los Angeles Times: p. 4. 
21. ^ Simmons, Darrell (May 31, 1985). "Space appealing to Kathy Johnson". Atlanta Journal-Constitution: p. E2. 

External links

• History of NYC Sports on Cable
• The NHL TV Set, Part 4: Become Part of GE/Universal Conglomerate, Show Clips of “Walker, Texas Ranger” During Games
• NHL on USA - Google Search (timeline)
  • 1980-81
  • 1981-82
  • 1982-83
  • 1983-84
  • 1984-85