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NHL TV Deal Made with NBC

The league announced a two-year, revenue-sharing agreement Wednesday with the American network. NBC also has a two-year option for 2006-07 and 2007-08 should it choose to exercise it. Under the agreement, the league will not receive the kind of upfront fees that are common in most network television contracts. Instead, the NHL and NBC will share revenue, with the network covering its production and distribution costs.

Beginning in January 2005, NBC will televise seven regular-season games and six Stanley Cup playoff games in regular Saturday afternoon time slots. In addition, NBC will broadcast Games 3-7 of the Stanley Cup final.

If next year's NHL season is cancelled because of labour issues, the deal would begin in 2005.

The NHL's five-year deal with ABC/ESPN expires at the end of the playoffs. The league is still trying to negotiate a U.S. cable deal with ESPN.

- story from CBC online