(Ticker) - The NHL officially has a new national cable TV agreement.
One day after ESPN declined to match its final offer to televise NHL games, cable giant Comcast on Thursday announced a multi-year pact with the league beginning in 2005-06.
Financial terms were not disclosed. Outdoor Life Network, which is owned by Comcast, will televise at least 58 regular-season games on Monday and Tuesday nights, beginning with the New York Rangers-Philadelphia Flyers matchup on opening night October 5.
OLN also will provide coverage of the Stanley Cup playoffs, including exclusive conference final action and the first two games of the Stanley Cup Finals.
"We are entering into a great partnership with the NHL," OLN president Gavin Harvey said. "Hockey is excellent, exclusive programming for OLN and will be a marquee sport for the network. We are proud to be the new national television home of the NHL when the puck drops on October 5."
Shortly before Wednesday's midnight EDT deadline, ESPN president George Bodenheimer issued a statement indicating the network did not accept Comcast's final offer.
In May, ESPN elected not to renew its two-year option to broadcast NHL games. Having televised the league since 1985, ESPN completed a five-year, $600 million deal with the NHL that included parent company ABC.
NBC, which inked a two-year deal with the NHL prior to last year's lockout, will air seven regular-season games, six playoff contests and all but the first two games of the Stanley Cup Finals.
SportsTicker is owned by ESPN.
One day after ESPN declined to match its final offer to televise NHL games, cable giant Comcast on Thursday announced a multi-year pact with the league beginning in 2005-06.
Financial terms were not disclosed. Outdoor Life Network, which is owned by Comcast, will televise at least 58 regular-season games on Monday and Tuesday nights, beginning with the New York Rangers-Philadelphia Flyers matchup on opening night October 5.
OLN also will provide coverage of the Stanley Cup playoffs, including exclusive conference final action and the first two games of the Stanley Cup Finals.
"We are entering into a great partnership with the NHL," OLN president Gavin Harvey said. "Hockey is excellent, exclusive programming for OLN and will be a marquee sport for the network. We are proud to be the new national television home of the NHL when the puck drops on October 5."
Shortly before Wednesday's midnight EDT deadline, ESPN president George Bodenheimer issued a statement indicating the network did not accept Comcast's final offer.
In May, ESPN elected not to renew its two-year option to broadcast NHL games. Having televised the league since 1985, ESPN completed a five-year, $600 million deal with the NHL that included parent company ABC.
NBC, which inked a two-year deal with the NHL prior to last year's lockout, will air seven regular-season games, six playoff contests and all but the first two games of the Stanley Cup Finals.
SportsTicker is owned by ESPN.
