NHL on Fox
NHL hockey broadcast telecasts (1995–1999)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The NHL on Fox (also known as Fox NHL) is an American presentation of the National Hockey League (NHL) games produced by Fox Sports and televised on the Fox network from the 1994–1995 NHL season until the 1998–1999 NHL season. NHL games continued to air on the Fox Sports Networks in the form of regional game telecasts until the 2021 rebrand to Bally Sports. As of 2026, only four Fox stations airs hockey broadcasts.
- Sandy Grossman (Stanley Cup Finals)
- Bob Levy (Stanley Cup Finals studio show)
- Artie Kemper (NHL on Fox)
- Peter Bleckner (NHL on Fox)
- Michael Frank (NHL on Fox)
| NHL on Fox | |
|---|---|
The general NHL on Fox logo. | |
| Also known as | Fox NHL Saturday |
| Genre | American hockey game telecasts |
| Directed by |
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| Presented by | Various commentators |
| Theme music composer | Scott Schreer |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 5 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
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| Producers |
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| Production locations |
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| Cinematography |
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| Editors |
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| Camera setup | Multi-camera |
| Running time | 210 minutes or until game ended (inc. adverts) |
| Production company | Fox Sports |
| Original release | |
| Network | |
| Release | April 2, 1995 – June 17, 1999 |
| Related | |
| NHL on ABC | |
History
On the heels of its surprise acquisition of the television rights to the National Football League (NFL) in December 1993, Fox sought deals with other major sports leagues to expand its newly created sports division, opting to go after the rights to broadcast National Hockey League (NHL) games.[2] CBS, which had just lost its NFL package (which primarily included the rights to regular season and playoff games from the National Football Conference) to Fox and had also lost its Major League Baseball and college football rights to other networks, was Fox's primary competitor for the NHL package, hoping to replace some of the sports programming it had lost to Fox.
Nevertheless, in a serious blow to CBS, Fox outbid CBS for the NHL package as well.[3] On September 9, 1994, the NHL reached a five-year contract with Fox for the broadcast television rights to the league's games, beginning with the 1994–95 season.[4] Fox paid $155 million ($31 million annually) to televise NHL regular season and postseason games, considerably less than the $1.58 billion Fox paid for the NFL television rights.[5][6]
The NHL's initial deal with Fox was significant, as an American network television contract was long thought unattainable for the league during the presidency of John Ziegler.[7] For 17 years after the 1975 Final were broadcast on NBC, there would be no national over-the-air network coverage of the NHL in the United States (except for the 1979 Challenge Cup and game six of the 1980 Stanley Cup Final on CBS, and NBC's coverage of the NHL All-Star Game from 1990 to 1994) and only spotty coverage on regional networks. This was because no network was willing to commit to carrying a large number of games, in turn providing low ratings for NHL telecasts. ABC would eventually resume the network broadcasting of regular NHL games (on a time buy basis through ESPN) for the 1992–93 season. This continued through the 1993–94 season before Fox took over for the next five seasons.
Fox inaugurated its NHL coverage on April 2, 1995, toward the end of the lockout-shortened 1994–95 regular season, with six games (between the New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers; St. Louis Blues and Detroit Red Wings; Boston Bruins and Washington Capitals; Chicago Blackhawks and Dallas Stars; Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning; and the San Jose Sharks and Mighty Ducks of Anaheim).[8][9] Mike Emrick and John Davidson were the lead broadcast team, and Joe Micheletti served as the reporter for national game broadcasts on Fox, while regionally-distributed games were handled by a variety of announcers, in addition to the trio.[10][11] For the first four years of the deal, James Brown hosted the show and Dave Maloney was the studio analyst from the Fox Network Center studios in Los Angeles. For the fifth and final season, Suzy Kolber served as the studio host and Terry Crisp served as the studio analyst. Occasionally, active NHL players such as Mike Modano would serve as guest analysts.[9][12][13]
FoxTrax
Fox's NHL broadcasts are perhaps best remembered for its use of FoxTrax (colloquially called the "glow puck," "smart puck," or "super puck"), a specialized ice hockey puck designed for the network's NHL telecasts which featured internal electronics that allowed its position to be tracked.[14][15] It was primarily used to visually highlight the puck on-screen and display a trail when the puck was moving rapidly. The FoxTrax puck, while considered to be generally popular according to Fox Sports, generated a great deal of controversy and criticism, especially in Canada, from longtime fans of the game, and was ridiculed by comedians on both sides of the border.[16][17]
Stanley Cup playoff coverage
During the first two rounds of the playoffs, at least two games were aired each round and were distributed regionally, unless other series involving other scheduled games were already finished, in which case the telecast was broadcast nationally. Canadian viewers were upset over the apparent preference that the NHL had for Fox ahead of CBC Television in regards to the scheduling of playoff games; Montreal Gazette sports journalist Pat Hickey wrote that the schedule was "just another example of how the N.H.L. snubs its nose at the country that invented hockey and its fans."[18]
All-Star Game, Conference Finals and Stanley Cup Finals
For the All-Star Game, Conference Finals, and Stanley Cup Final, the games (which were national telecasts) were hosted from the arena. The 1996 and 1997 All-Star Games were televised in prime time.
Stanley Cup Finals
Fox split coverage of the Stanley Cup Finals with ESPN. Game 1 of the 1995 Stanley Cup Final was the first Finals game shown on network television since 1980 and the first in prime time since 1973. Games 1, 5, and 7 were usually scheduled to be televised by Fox; and Games 2, 3, 4, and 6 were set to air on ESPN. However, from 1995 to 1998, the Finals matches were all four game sweeps; the 1999 Finals ended in six games.[19] The consequence was that – except for 1995 when Fox did televise Game 4 – the decisive game was never shown on network television. The pattern of a non-clinching game airing on cable, and the next game (a clincher) airing on broadcast, did not occur again until 2014 (all because of Game 2 scheduled on the same day as the annual Belmont Stakes). Perhaps in recognition of this, Games 3–7 were always televised by ABC in the succeeding broadcast agreement between the NHL and ABC Sports/ESPN.
Game 4 of the 1995 Finals was notable because not only did the New Jersey Devils win the Stanley Cup, but also the team's main television play-by-play announcer, Mike Emrick, announced it.
KTVU, the Fox affiliate in the San Francisco Bay Area, dropped Game 4 of the 1995 Stanley Cup Final (June 24) for a San Francisco Giants game. The game between the Giants and Florida Marlins in Miami had a long rain delay. This allowed KTVU to broadcast the hockey game after all. However, the baseball game finally started before the hockey game ended. KTVU got a lot of complaints, so they re-aired the end of the hockey game the following Saturday (July 1).
The end of NHL on Fox
Things ended badly between Fox and the league in 1999, when the NHL announced a new television deal with ESPN that also called for sister broadcast network ABC to become the new network television partner (as previously mentioned).[20][21][22][23][24] Fox challenged that it had not been given a chance to match the network component of the deal, but ABC ultimately prevailed.
Fox placed a bid for NHL broadcast rights when they came up for renewal in 2011 but dropped out of the running as a result of a bidding war between NBCUniversal and ESPN.[25] The bid made by NBCUniversal (which owns NBC, Versus and USA Network and, through its ownership of the Philadelphia Flyers, a stake in the league itself) was selected by the league, in a ten-year extension of its existing broadcast contract.
After Disney acquired the entertainment unit 21st Century Fox (excluding the main network and sports units) in 2019, it resold the regional Fox Sports Networks to Sinclair Broadcast Group, which maintained the rights on some NHL teams. In 2021, Sinclair rebranded the channels as Bally Sports.
In August 2019, Fox Sports SVP/sales Mark Evans told The Big Lead that Fox would be interested in pursuing NHL media rights when they became available.[26]
In April 2021, Fox Sports was reportedly considered a front-runner to acquire the NHL's "B" package after ABC and ESPN acquired the "A" package from NBC; the rights would ultimately go to Turner Sports.[27]
After the bankruptcy of Bally Sports in 2023, Bally Sports SoCal (the former Fox Sports Prime Ticket) lost the rights to the Anaheim Ducks broadcasts and its local games moved to the Fox-owned station, KCOP-TV, starting the 2024–25 season.[28]
Coverage overview
Regular season
Fox televised between 5 and 11 regionally distributed games on Saturday or Sunday[29] afternoons during the regular season, where anywhere from 2 to 6 games ran concurrently. All times below are Eastern, please note that the 6pm ET games were aired on FOX stations on the West Coast only.
1994–95
| Date | Teams | Start time (All times Eastern) | Commentator crews |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 2, 1995 | New York Rangers at Philadelphia St. Louis at Detroit Boston at Washington[30][31][32] Dallas at Chicago Florida at Tampa Bay San Jose at Anaheim |
3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. 6 p.m. |
Mike Emrick and John Davidson Pat Foley and Mickey Redmond Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti Dave Strader and Denis Potvin Dick Stockton and Mike Eruzione Kenny Albert and Gary Green |
| April 9, 1995 | Boston at Buffalo New York Rangers at New Jersey Dallas at St. Louis Detroit at Chicago Los Angeles at Anaheim |
3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. 6 p.m. |
Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti Mike Emrick and John Davidson Jiggs McDonald and Greg Millen Pat Foley and Mickey Redmond Kenny Albert and Gary Green |
| April 16, 1995 | Detroit at St. Louis[33] Pittsburgh at Philadelphia New York Rangers at New York Islanders[34] Chicago at Dallas Tampa Bay at Florida Los Angeles at San Jose |
3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. 6 p.m. |
Mike Emrick and John Davidson Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti Kenny Albert and Denis Potvin Pat Foley and Mickey Redmond Jiggs McDonald and Greg Millen Dave Strader and Gary Green |
| April 23, 1995 | New York Rangers at Boston[35] Chicago at St. Louis Detroit at San Jose Philadelphia at Buffalo Anaheim at Los Angeles |
3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. 6 p.m. |
Mike Emrick and John Davidson Dave Strader and Denis Potvin Pat Foley and Mickey Redmond Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti Kenny Albert and Gary Green |
| April 30, 1995 | St. Louis at San Jose New York Rangers at Philadelphia Washington at Florida[36][37][38] Chicago at Detroit Pittsburgh at Boston Anaheim at Los Angeles |
3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. 6 p.m. |
Kenny Albert and Mickey Redmond Mike Emrick and John Davidson Dick Stockton and Mike Eruzione Dave Strader and Denis Potvin Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti Bob Miller and Gary Green |
1995–96
| Date | Teams | Start time (All times Eastern) | Commentator crews |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 27, 1996[39][40] | New York Rangers at Boston Philadelphia at Pittsburgh* Anaheim at Los Angeles[41] Colorado at San Jose Tampa Bay at St. Louis Detroit at Chicago[42] |
3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. |
Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti Mike Emrick and John Davidson Dave Strader and Greg Millen Jiggs McDonald and Peter McNab Kenny Albert and Denis Potvin Pat Foley and Mickey Redmond |
| February 3, 1996 | Chicago at San Jose Florida at Tampa Bay New York Rangers at Colorado* Pittsburgh at Detroit Buffalo at Boston Philadelphia at St. Louis |
3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. |
Dave Strader and Greg Millen Jiggs McDonald and Peter McNab Mike Emrick and John Davidson Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti Rick Jeanneret and Mickey Redmond Kenny Albert and Denis Potvin |
| February 10, 1996[43] | St. Louis at Dallas New York Rangers at New Jersey Detroit at Tampa Bay[44] Philadelphia at Boston* Chicago at Pittsburgh San Jose at Los Angeles |
3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. |
Kenny Albert and Denis Potvin Mike Emrick and John Davidson Dave Strader and Gary Green Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti Pat Foley and Mickey Redmond Jiggs McDonald and Peter McNab |
| March 31, 1996[45] | Boston at Buffalo Pittsburgh at Philadelphia St. Louis at Detroit*[46][47] Dallas at Chicago New York Rangers at New York Islanders[48][49][50] |
3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. |
Jiggs McDonald and Peter McNab Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti Mike Emrick and John Davidson Pat Foley and Mickey Redmond Kenny Albert and Denis Potvin |
| April 7, 1996 | Colorado at Dallas Detroit at Chicago*[51][52][53][54][55] Boston at Philadelphia New York Rangers at New Jersey Anaheim at San Jose[56] |
3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. |
Dave Strader and Greg Millen Mike Emrick and John Davidson Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti Kenny Albert and Denis Potvin Randy Hahn and Pete Stemkowski |
| April 14, 1996 | Detroit at Dallas Pittsburgh at Boston Philadelphia at Tampa Bay New York Rangers at Florida* St. Louis at Chicago[57] Los Angeles at Colorado |
3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. 6 p.m. |
Dave Strader and Greg Millen Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti Jiggs McDonald and Peter McNab Mike Emrick and John Davidson Pat Foley and Mickey Redmond Kenny Albert and Denis Potvin |
Note:
FOX moved its NHL coverage to Sunday beginning in March after starting on Saturday in January.
*Denotes use of FoxTrax puck.
1996–97
| Date | Teams | Start time (All times Eastern) | Commentator crews |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 25, 1997 | Colorado at Boston New York Rangers at Pittsburgh[58][59] Detroit at Philadelphia Tampa Bay at Florida Anaheim at Los Angeles[60] |
3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. 6 p.m. |
Jiggs McDonald and Peter McNab Mike Emrick and John Davidson Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti Kenny Albert and Craig Simpson Bob Miller and Jim Fox |
| February 1, 1997 | Phoenix at Pittsburgh Detroit at St. Louis Colorado at San Jose New York Rangers at Philadelphia[61][62] Washington at Florida |
3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. |
Mike Lange and Paul Steigerwald Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti Kenny Albert and Craig Simpson Mike Emrick and John Davidson Jiggs McDonald and Peter McNab |
| February 8, 1997 | New York Rangers at New York Islanders[63] Chicago at Colorado St. Louis at Boston Detroit at Pittsburgh[64] |
3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. |
Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti Jiggs McDonald and Peter McNab Kenny Albert and Craig Simpson Mike Emrick and John Davidson |
| February 15, 1997 | Pittsburgh at Philadelphia Boston at Phoenix Colorado at St. Louis New York Rangers at Chicago |
3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. |
Mike Emrick and John Davidson Kenny Albert and Craig Simpson Jiggs McDonald and Peter McNab Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti |
| February 22, 1997 | Phoenix at Anaheim Chicago at Pittsburgh Detroit at St. Louis Philadelphia at Florida[65] |
3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. |
Kenny Albert and Brian Hayward Jiggs McDonald and Peter McNab Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti Mike Emrick and John Davidson |
| March 1, 1997 | Philadelphia at Boston[66] Florida at Tampa Bay New York Rangers at Detroit Chicago at Colorado |
3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. |
Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti Kenny Albert and Craig Simpson Mike Emrick and John Davidson Jiggs McDonald and Peter McNab |
1997–98
| Date | Teams | Start time (All times Eastern) | Commentator crews |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 24, 1998 | Philadelphia at Detroit St. Louis at Chicago New Jersey at New York Rangers Los Angeles at Anaheim Dallas at Colorado Boston at Pittsburgh |
3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. |
Mike Emrick and John Davidson Josh Lewin and Daryl Reaugh Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti John Kelly and Craig Simpson Jiggs McDonald and Peter McNab Kenny Albert and Terry Crisp |
| January 31, 1998 | New York Rangers at Boston Chicago at Los Angeles Detroit at Pittsburgh[67] Dallas at St. Louis Tampa Bay at Florida Colorado at San Jose |
3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. |
Mike Emrick and John Davidson Jiggs McDonald and Peter McNab Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti Josh Lewin and Daryl Reaugh Kenny Albert and Terry Crisp John Kelly and Craig Simpson |
| February 7, 1998 | New Jersey at New York Islanders Carolina at Boston Philadelphia at Colorado[68][69] Los Angeles at Anaheim Chicago at Dallas Detroit at St. Louis |
3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. |
Howie Rose and Joe Micheletti Kenny Albert and Terry Crisp Mike Emrick and John Davidson John Kelly and Craig Simpson Josh Lewin and Daryl Reaugh Jiggs McDonald and Peter McNab |
| February 28, 1998 | Philadelphia at New York Rangers[70] Chicago at Colorado Pittsburgh at Boston Washington at Tampa Bay St. Louis at Los Angeles Phoenix at Dallas |
3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. |
Mike Emrick and John Davidson Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti Josh Lewin and Daryl Reaugh Kenny Albert and Terry Crisp John Kelly and Craig Simpson Jiggs McDonald and Peter McNab |
| March 7, 1998 | Detroit at Los Angeles[71] New York Rangers at New Jersey[72][73] Florida at Washington[74][75][76] Dallas at St. Louis Philadelphia at Pittsburgh[77][78] Chicago at Boston |
3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. |
John Kelly and Craig Simpson Jiggs McDonald and Peter McNab Kenny Albert and Terry Crisp Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti Mike Emrick and John Davidson Josh Lewin and Daryl Reaugh |
| March 14, 1998 | Buffalo at Pittsburgh Detroit at Philadelphia[79][80] New York Rangers at Boston Chicago at Tampa Bay Colorado at Los Angeles Phoenix at St. Louis |
3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. |
Jiggs McDonald and Peter McNab Mike Emrick and John Davidson Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti Kenny Albert and Terry Crisp John Kelly and Craig Simpson Josh Lewin and Daryl Reaugh |
| March 21, 1998 | Phoenix at Los Angeles[81] Boston at Buffalo Philadelphia at Pittsburgh Detroit at New York Rangers[82][83] Colorado at San Jose |
3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. |
John Kelly and Craig Simpson Kenny Albert and Terry Crisp Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti Mike Emrick and John Davidson Jiggs McDonald and Peter McNab |
| March 28, 1998 | Carolina at Philadelphia New York Rangers at Pittsburgh Anaheim at Colorado Detroit at St. Louis Florida at Boston San Jose at Dallas |
3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. |
John Kelly and Craig Simpson Mike Emrick and John Davidson Jiggs McDonald and Peter McNab Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti Kenny Albert and Terry Crisp Josh Lewin and Daryl Reaugh |
| April 4, 1998 | Detroit at Chicago[84][85] Colorado at St. Louis Florida at Philadelphia Los Angeles at Washington New York Rangers at New York Islanders[86] |
3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. |
Mike Emrick and John Davidson Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti Jiggs McDonald and Peter McNab Josh Lewin and Daryl Reaugh Kenny Albert and Terry Crisp |
| April 11, 1998 | New York Rangers at Detroit Florida at Pittsburgh Phoenix at St. Louis Washington at Philadelphia Dallas at Tampa Bay Colorado at Los Angeles |
1 p.m. 1 p.m. 1 p.m. 1 p.m. 1 p.m. 6 p.m. |
Mike Emrick and John Davidson Kenny Albert and Terry Crisp Jiggs McDonald and Peter McNab Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti Josh Lewin and Daryl Reaugh John Kelly and Craig Simpson |
| April 18, 1998 | Chicago at Dallas Detroit at Colorado New York Rangers at Philadelphia[87] Anaheim at Los Angeles Boston at Pittsburgh |
3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. |
Jiggs McDonald and Peter McNab Mike Emrick and John Davidson Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti John Kelly and Craig Simpson Kenny Albert and Terry Crisp |
Notes
- Fox was initially scheduled to air a Pittsburgh Penguins-Tampa Bay Lightning game on April 4 before it was flexed out.
1998–99
| Date | Teams | Start time (All times Eastern) | Commentator crews |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 7, 1999 | New York Rangers at Boston Detroit at Pittsburgh Colorado at Dallas |
3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. |
Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti Mike Emrick and John Davidson Kenny Albert and Peter McNab |
| February 14, 1999 | Detroit at New York Rangers[88] Philadelphia at Colorado |
3 p.m. 3 p.m. |
Mike Emrick and John Davidson Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti |
| February 21, 1999 | Boston at Chicago Colorado at Dallas Detroit at Buffalo[89] |
3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. |
Kenny Albert and Peter McNab Jiggs McDonald and Joe Micheletti Mike Emrick and John Davidson |
| February 28, 1999 | Philadelphia at New York Rangers[90][91] Pittsburgh at Washington[92][93][94] Los Angeles at Dallas |
3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. |
Mike Emrick and John Davidson Kenny Albert and Peter McNab Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti |
| March 7, 1999 | Colorado at Pittsburgh New York Rangers at Boston St. Louis at Dallas |
3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. |
Mike Emrick and John Davidson Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti Jiggs McDonald and Peter McNab |
| March 14, 1999[95] | Detroit at Colorado St. Louis at Chicago New York Rangers at New York Islanders |
3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. |
Mike Emrick and John Davidson Kenny Albert and Peter McNab Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti |
| March 21, 1999 | Pittsburgh at New York Rangers Detroit at Philadelphia[96] Colorado at Chicago |
3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. |
Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti Mike Emrick and John Davidson Kenny Albert and Peter McNab |
| March 28, 1999 | Philadelphia at Detroit[97] St. Louis at Chicago Los Angeles at Colorado |
3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m |
Mike Emrick and John Davidson Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti Kenny Albert and Peter McNab |
| April 4, 1999[98] | New York Rangers at New Jersey[99] Detroit at Dallas |
3 p.m. 3 p.m. |
Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti Mike Emrick and John Davidson |
| April 11, 1999 | Pittsburgh at Detroit^ Colorado at St. Louis[100] Los Angeles at Dallas |
3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. |
Mike Emrick and John Davidson Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti Kenny Albert and Peter McNab |
| April 18, 1999 | Pittsburgh at New York Rangers^[101][102][103][104] Dallas at Colorado Boston at Philadelphia[105] |
3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. |
Mike Emrick, John Davidson, and Sam Rosen Jiggs McDonald and Peter McNab Kenny Albert and Joe Micheletti |
Notes
^The Pittsburgh Penguins-New York Rangers game on April 18 (Wayne Gretzky's final game[106][101][107] before his retirement) began on MSG Network in the New York City market as WNYW (Fox's flagship station) aired a Yankees game against the Detroit Tigers. The station joined the hockey game midway through the second period. The week prior (April 11), WNYW aired another Yankees game over the Pittsburgh-Detroit NHL game, which instead aired on MSG from start to finish.
Stanley Cup playoff coverage
1995
| Date | Teams | Start time (All times Eastern) | Commentator crews |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 7, 1995[108] | New Jersey at Boston Buffalo at Philadelphia Dallas at Detroit[109] Vancouver at St. Louis |
3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. |
Mike Emrick and John Davidson Dave Strader and Denis Potvin Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti Pat Foley and Mickey Redmond |
| May 14, 1995 | New York Rangers at Quebec Washington at Pittsburgh Buffalo at Philadelphia Detroit at Dallas[110] |
3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. |
Mike Emrick and John Davidson Kenny Albert and Denis Potvin Jiggs McDonald and Mickey Redmond Dave Strader and Joe Micheletti |
| May 21, 1995 | San Jose at Detroit New York Rangers at Philadelphia[111] |
3 p.m. 3 p.m. |
Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti Mike Emrick and John Davidson |
| May 28, 1995 | New Jersey at Pittsburgh[112] | 3 p.m. | Mike Emrick, John Davidson, and Joe Micheletti |
| June 4, 1995 | Chicago at Detroit[113][114] | 3 p.m. | Mike Emrick, John Davidson, and Joe Micheletti |
| June 11, 1995 | New Jersey at Philadelphia[115] | 3 p.m. | Mike Emrick, John Davidson, and Joe Micheletti |
| June 17, 1995 | New Jersey at Detroit[116][117][118] | 8 p.m. | Mike Emrick, John Davidson, and Joe Micheletti |
| June 24, 1995 | Detroit at New Jersey[116][119] | 8 p.m. | Mike Emrick, John Davidson, and Joe Micheletti |
Notes
- The May 14 game in Colisée Pepsi was the final home game ever for the Quebec Nordiques. The team became the Colorado Avalanche in the fall of 1995.
- The June 24 game in New Jersey was the Stanley Cup Finals' deciding game as the Devils swept the Red Wings. Although Fox did retain rights to certain other games where the Cup could be decided (including any seventh games), 1995 was the only time during its run as NHL broadcaster that Fox carried the Cup-clinching victory on-air.
1996
| Date | Teams | Start time (All times Eastern) | Commentator crews |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 21, 1996[120] | Philadelphia at Tampa Bay[121][122] New York Rangers at Montreal*[123] Detroit at Winnipeg[124] Chicago at Calgary |
3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. |
Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti Mike Emrick and John Davidson Kenny Albert and Mickey Redmond Jiggs McDonald and Peter McNab |
| April 28, 1996[125] | New York Rangers at Montreal*[126] Pittsburgh at Washington[127][128][129] Detroit at Winnipeg[130] |
3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. |
Mike Emrick and John Davidson Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti Pat Foley and Mickey Redmond |
| May 5, 1996 | St. Louis at Detroit*[131] New York Rangers at Pittsburgh |
3 p.m. 3 p.m. |
Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti Mike Emrick and John Davidson |
| May 12, 1996 | Florida at Philadelphia St. Louis at Detroit*[132] |
3 p.m. 3 p.m. |
Mike Emrick and John Davidson Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti |
| May 19, 1996[133] | Colorado at Detroit*[134] | 3 p.m. | Mike Emrick, John Davidson, and Joe Micheletti |
| May 26, 1996 | Pittsburgh at Florida*[135][136][137] | 3 p.m. | Mike Emrick, John Davidson, and Joe Micheletti |
| June 4, 1996 | Florida at Colorado*[138] | 8 p.m. | Mike Emrick, John Davidson, Joe Micheletti, and Sandra Neil |
| June 8, 1996 | Colorado at Florida*[139][140][141] | 8 p.m. | Mike Emrick, John Davidson, Joe Micheletti, and Sandra Neil |
*Denotes use of FoxTrax puck.
Note
- The April 28 game in Winnipeg was the final home game for the original Winnipeg Jets. The franchise became the Phoenix Coyotes in the fall of 1996.
1997
| Date | Teams | Start time (All times Eastern) | Commentator crews |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 20, 1997[142] | New York Rangers at Florida*[143] Colorado at Chicago[144] Detroit at St. Louis Anaheim at Phoenix[145] |
2 p.m. 2 p.m. 2 p.m. 3 p.m. |
Mike Emrick and John Davidson Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti Kenny Albert and Craig Simpson Jiggs McDonald and Peter McNab |
| April 27, 1997 | Detroit at. St. Louis*[146] Dallas at Edmonton Anaheim at Phoenix[147] |
2 p.m. 2 p.m. 3 p.m. |
Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti Kenny Albert and Craig Simpson Jiggs McDonald and Peter McNab |
| May 4, 1997 | Anaheim at Detroit*[148][149] New York Rangers at New Jersey[150][151][152][153] |
2 p.m. 2 p.m. |
Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti Mike Emrick and John Davidson |
| May 11, 1997[154] | New York Rangers at New Jersey[155][156][157][158] Philadelphia at Buffalo*[159][160] |
2 p.m. 2 p.m. |
Mike Emrick and John Davidson Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti |
| May 18, 1997[161] | New York Rangers at Philadelphia*[162] | 2 p.m. | Mike Emrick, John Davidson, and Joe Micheletti |
| May 25, 1997[163] | New York Rangers at Philadelphia*[164] | 2 p.m. | Mike Emrick, John Davidson, and Joe Micheletti |
| May 31, 1997 | Detroit at Philadelphia*[165][166] | 8 p.m. | Mike Emrick, John Davidson, Joe Micheletti, and Craig Simpson |
Note:
*Denotes use of FoxTrax puck.
1998
| Date | Teams | Start time (All times Eastern) | Commentator crews |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 26, 1998 | New Jersey at Ottawa Washington at Boston Detroit at Phoenix[167] Dallas at San Jose |
2 p.m. 2 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. |
Kenny Albert and Terry Crisp Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti Mike Emrick and John Davidson Jiggs McDonald and Daryl Reaugh |
| May 3, 1998 | Washington at Boston[168][169][170] Detroit at Phoenix[171] |
2 p.m. 3 p.m. |
Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti Mike Emrick and John Davidson |
| May 10, 1998[172] | St. Louis at Detroit[173] Montreal at Buffalo[174] |
2 p.m. 2 p.m. |
Mike Emrick and John Davidson Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti |
| May 17, 1998[175] | St. Louis at Detroit[176] | 2 p.m. | Mike Emrick, John Davidson, and Joe Micheletti |
| May 24, 1998[177] | Detroit at Dallas[178][179] | 2 p.m. | Mike Emrick, John Davidson, and Joe Micheletti |
| May 31, 1998 | Dallas at Detroit[180][181] | 2 p.m. | Mike Emrick, John Davidson, and Joe Micheletti |
| June 9, 1998 | Washington at Detroit*[182][183] | 8 p.m. | Mike Emrick, John Davidson, and Joe Micheletti |
*Denotes use of FoxTrax puck.
1999
| Date | Teams | Start time (All times Eastern) | Commentator crews |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 25, 1999 | New Jersey at Pittsburgh[184] Phoenix at St. Louis Detroit at Anaheim |
2 p.m. 2 p.m. 3 p.m. |
Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti Kenny Albert and Peter McNab Mike Emrick and John Davidson |
| May 2, 1999 | New Jersey at Pittsburgh[185] Phoenix at St. Louis |
2 p.m. 2 p.m. |
Mike Emrick and John Davidson Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti |
| May 9, 1999 | Buffalo at Boston[186][187] Detroit at Colorado[188][189] |
2 p.m. 2 p.m. |
Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti Mike Emrick and John Davidson |
| May 16, 1999 | Detroit at Colorado Buffalo at Boston[190][191][192] |
2 p.m. 2 p.m. |
Mike Emrick and John Davidson Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti |
| May 23, 1999 | Buffalo at Toronto[193][194][195] | 2 p.m. | Mike Emrick, John Davidson, and Joe Micheletti |
| May 30, 1999 | Colorado at Dallas[196] | 2 p.m. | Mike Emrick, John Davidson, and Joe Micheletti |
| June 8, 1999 | Buffalo at Dallas[197][198] | 8 p.m. | Mike Emrick, John Davidson, and Joe Micheletti |
| June 10, 1999 | Buffalo at Dallas[199] | 8 p.m. | Mike Emrick, John Davidson, and Joe Micheletti |
| June 17, 1999 | Buffalo at Dallas[200] | 8 p.m. | Mike Emrick, John Davidson, and Joe Micheletti |
Personnel
Play-by-play
Color commentators
Studio commentators
- James Brown – studio host (1994–1998)
- Sandra Neil - fill-in studio host/rinkside reporter (1996)
- Terry Crisp – color commentary/studio analyst (1998–1999)
- Suzy Kolber – studio host (1998–1999)
- Dave Maloney – studio analyst (1994–1998)
Reporters
- Joe Micheletti
- Sandra Neil
- Craig Simpson
Ratings
Stanley Cup Finals
Game 4 of the 1995 Stanley Cup Final drew a 4.7 rating and a 10 share.[202] In the New York City market (on Fox owned-and-operated station WNYW), the game drew a 10.6 rating and 21 share; in Detroit (on Fox affiliate, now owned-and-operated station, WJBK), it drew a 14.1 rating and 26 share.[202]
Regular season
All-Star Game
NHL coverage on other Fox-owned outlets
Fox owned-and-operated television stations
| Team | Station | Years of broadcast rights |
|---|---|---|
| Anaheim Ducks | KCOP 13 | 2024–present |
| Dallas Stars | KDFI 27[a] | 2000 2024–present |
| Detroit Red Wings | WJBK 2 | 2024–present |
| Philadelphia Flyers | WTXF 29 | 1973–1985 |
Fox Sports Networks owned-and-operated affiliates
| Network | Region served | NHL team rights | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fox Sports Arizona[b] | Arizona New Mexico Utah southern Nevada |
Arizona Coyotes | The network was later renamed as Bally Sports Arizona on March 31, 2021, before it was dissolved on October 21, 2023.[203] |
| Fox Sports Carolinas[c] | North Carolina South Carolina |
Carolina Hurricanes | The network was later renamed as Bally Sports South and Bally Sports Southeast on March 31, 2021, before they were rebranded under the FanDuel Sports Network branding in the fall of 2024.[203] |
| Fox Sports Detroit | Michigan (statewide) northwestern Ohio northeastern Indiana northeast Wisconsin |
Detroit Red Wings | FSN Detroit produces a pre-game/post-game show titled Red Wings Live. Fox Sports Net Detroit acquired the local television rights to Red Wings games (as well as those from the Detroit Pistons and Detroit Tigers) from PASS Sports, which subsequently ceased operations in 1997. The network was later named as Bally Sports Detroit on March 31, 2021, before it was rebranded under the FanDuel Sports Network branding in the fall of 2024.[203] |
| Fox Sports Florida[d] | Florida (statewide) southern Alabama southern Georgia |
Florida Panthers | Shares broadcast rights to the Panthers with co-owned SunSports. The network was later renamed Bally Sports Florida on March 31, 2021, before it was rebranded under the FanDuel Sports Network branding in the fall of 2024.[203] |
| Fox Sports Midwest[e] | Missouri southern Illinois southern Indiana eastern Nebraska eastern Kansas western Kentucky northern Arkansas |
St. Louis Blues | Fox Sports Midwest's telecasts of Blues games are also available on Fox Sports Kansas City. The networks were later renamed as Bally Sports Kansas City and Bally Sports Midwest on March 31, 2021, before they were rebranded under the FanDuel Sports Network branding in the fall of 2024.[203] |
| Fox Sports North[f] | Minnesota Wisconsin Iowa North Dakota South Dakota |
Minnesota Wild | The network was later renamed Bally Sports North on March 31, 2021, before it was rebranded under the FanDuel Sports Network branding in the fall of 2024.[203] |
| Fox Sports Ohio[g] | Ohio eastern Indiana Kentucky northwestern Pennsylvania, southwestern New York |
Columbus Blue Jackets | Fox Sports Ohio carries the NHL's Columbus Blue Jackets in southern Ohio, Kentucky, and eastern Indiana, while the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers are carried in northern Ohio, northwestern Pennsylvania, and southwestern New York. The network was later renamed as Bally Sports Ohio on March 31, 2021, before it was rebranded under the FanDuel Sports Network branding in the fall of 2024.[203] |
| Fox Sports Southwest[h] | Texas northern Louisiana New Mexico Arkansas |
Dallas Stars | Stars telecasts are sometimes broadcast on Fox Sports Oklahoma, a sub-feed of Fox Sports Southwest, whenever an Oklahoma City Thunder, Oklahoma Sooners or Oklahoma State Cowboys game telecast is not scheduled. The network was later renamed as Bally Sports Southwest on March 31, 2021, before it was rebranded under the FanDuel Sports Network branding in the fall of 2024.[203] |
| Fox Sports Tennessee/Fox Sports Tennessee[i] | Tennessee northern Alabama |
Nashville Predators | The networks were later renamed Bally Sports South and Bally Sports Southeast on March 31, 2021, before they were rebranded under the FanDuel Sports Network branding in the fall of 2024.[203] |
| Fox Sports West and Prime Ticket[j] | Southern and Central California, southern Nevada, and Hawaii | Los Angeles Kings, Anaheim Ducks | The network was later renamed Bally Sports West on March 31, 2021, before it was rebranded under the FanDuel Sports Network branding in the fall of 2024. |
| Sun Sports[k] | Florida | Tampa Bay Lightning | The network changed its name to Fox Sports Sun on October 4, 2015,[204] then Bally Sports Sun on March 31, 2021, and eventually rebranded the FanDuel Sports Network branding in the fall of 2024.[203] |
| SportSouth/SportSouth[l] | Georgia Alabama Mississippi Tennessee South Carolina North Carolina |
Nashville Predators | SportSouth and Fox Sports South previously held the regional television rights to Atlanta Thrashers games until the team's relocation to Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada in 2011, when it became the Winnipeg Jets. The network was later renamed as Bally Sports South and Bally Sports Southeast on March 31, 2021, before they were rebranded under the FanDuel Sports Network branding in the fall of 2024.[203] |
Former regional rightsholders
| Network | Region served | NHL team rights | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| FSN Bay Area[m] | Northern and central California, northwestern Nevada and parts of southern Oregon. | San Jose Sharks | Cablevision sold its 60% interest in FSN Bay Area in April 2007 to Comcast, which relaunched the network as NBC Sports California on March 31, 2008 (the channel continued to carry select FSN programming until August 2012); Fox Sports retains a 25% ownership stake in the network. |
| FSN Chicago[n] | Northern Illinois, northern Indiana, and eastern Iowa | Chicago Blackhawks | FSN Chicago lost the regional cable rights to the Blackhawks to NBC Sports Chicago; FSN Chicago ceased operations on June 23, 2006. |
| FSN New York[o] | New York, northern New Jersey, northeast Pennsylvania, southern Connecticut. | New Jersey Devils New York Islanders |
Now co-owned with MSG Network, which also broadcasts NHL games from the Buffalo Sabres and New York Rangers. |
Notes
- Was an independent station at the time KDFI held Stars broadcast rights, now a MyNetworkTV owned-and-operated station.
- Formerly known as Prime Sports Arizona until 1996.
- Formerly part of Fox Sports South, became a sub-feed in 2008.
- Formerly known as SportsChannel Florida until 2000, and was the last FSN-acquired network acquired through the SportsChannel purchase to retire the name.
- Formerly known as Prime Sports Midwest until 1996.
- Originated as WCCO II in 1986, later known as Midwest Sports Channel from 1989 to 1996. Regional subfields exist for the Minnesota/Dakotas region, and portions of Wisconsin not part of the Minneapolis–St. Paul market. The Wisconsin feed (which originally operated as a separate Wisconsin Sports Network from 1996 to 1998, before being absorbed into the then Midwest Sports Channel) became a separate Fox Sports Wisconsin in April 2007.
- Formerly known as SportsChannel Ohio until 1998. Separate subfields also exist for the Cincinnati and Cleveland markets.
- Formerly known as Home Sports Entertainment from 1984 to 1994, and as Prime Sports Southwest until 1996.
- Formerly part of Fox Sports South, became a sub-feed in 2008.
- Fox Sports West was formerly known as (the original) Prime Ticket from 1987 to 1993 and Prime Sports West until 1996; Fox Sports Prime Ticket was formerly known as FSN West 2 until 2007.
- Formerly known as Sunshine Network (originally serving as a Prime Network affiliate) until 2009; was acquired by Fox Sports Networks in 1996.
- Formerly known as Turner South from 1996 to October 13, 2006, when it adopted its current name following its sale by Time Warner's Turner Broadcasting System subsidiary to then Fox Sports Networks parent News Corporation (now 21st Century Fox).
- Formerly known as Pacific Sports Network (PSN) until 1990, SportsChannel Bay Area until 1993, and SportsChannel Pacific until 1998.
- Originally known as Sportsvision Chicago from 1979 to 1984, Hawkvision/ONTV until 1987 and SportsChannel Chicago until 1998.