hockeytown

On the heels of the Wednesday night's technical error in Austin, Texas that prevented fans from seeing the Chicago Blackhawks' game-winning goal in overtime, we now learn that Detroit's NBC affiliate has decided to chuck a potentially Stanley Cup Final clinching game in favor of local programming. 

No, it's not a political debate or a Presidential visit that's causing a pre-emption. WDIV has decided to air coverage of the annual fireworks display on the Detroit River. That's right. Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final in which either Boston or Chicago will have the opportunity to win the Stanley Cup is being moved to another station.

This is not unusual for WDIV. It's been known in the past for dumping NBC programming in favor of local or syndicated shows. In the 1980's into the 1990's, WDIV refused to air Late Night with David Letterman and Late Night with Conan O'Brien offering the Jenny Jones show instead. And to this day, Last Call with Carson Daly is delayed until 2:35 a.m. and replaced with informercials.

Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final is not totally lost to the city a.k.a "Hockeytown." WDIV has shuffled Game 6 to WADL and of course, CBC is available to the Metro Detroit area so fans can watch Hockey Night in Canada's coverage and see what Don Cherry will wear for his usual Coach's Corner segment. Detroit may be called "Hockeytown" but it seems not everyone there measures up to that label.

[Detroit News]

About Ken Fang

Ken has been covering the sports media in earnest at his own site, Fang's Bites since May 2007 and at Awful Announcing since March 2013.

He provides a unique perspective having been an award-winning radio news reporter in Providence and having worked in local television.

Fang celebrates the four Boston Red Sox World Championships in the 21st Century, but continues to be a long-suffering Cleveland Browns fan.