New month, new thread, with just a couple of weeks before training camp starts. It’s finally starting to smell like hockey!
Big news this morning, as we finally got more details about the TV arrangement for the Blue Jackets. Linky
Let’s handle this in Q&A format:
Where can I watch Blue Jackets games this season?
The Blue Jackets Hockey Network!
What is that?
A new network that is a co-production of the Blue Jackets and the NHL
But what happens to (insert favorite member of broadcast team here)?
Per the team’s release, Steve Mears and Jody Shelley will continue to call game action, with Jean-Luc Grand-Pierre as studio analyst, and Brian Giesenschlag and Dave Maetzold as hosts (with Maetzold also being sideline reporter).
And radio?
As previously reported, the TV broadcast will be simulcast on radio. Bob McElligott’s contract was not renewed.
I’m still mad about that!
That’s not a question, but I’m still mad about it too.
What channel will this be on?
Not sure yet!
What?
That will be assigned at a later date, for those of you with cable/satellite subscriptions. When Guardians TV launched in 2025 (a co-production of the Cleveland Guardians and MLB), the cable channel number was not announced until the very morning of the first regular season game. So don’t be surprised if that happens here too.
What about those of us who have cut the cord?
You now have a local streaming option, and it’s via Amazon Prime Video. Per the release, it will cost $20 per month or $100 per year to stream, if you’re in the Jackets TV area (which includes most of Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia)
What if I’m out of market?
ESPN+ is still your streaming source for those games.
What if I’m in Canada?
I don’t know; ask Neil
Aren’t we supposed to be mad about Jeff Bezos?
Probably. I can’t keep track of everyone who sucks these days.
How should we feel about this?
Honestly, I feel like this is a big improvement over the prior arrangement. I expect the production value to be way higher, and I like that there are multiple ways for fans to access the games, whether they are traditional TV watchers or whether they are cord-cutters. We’ll still get some games simulcast on broadcast channels, too.
Is Fantilli signed yet?
Oh boy, look at the time, gotta go…