NY Times Article About The Ice Channel

[rack]

Today's NY Times sports section has a big article by Richard Sandomir about the various new sports channels that are planned for digital tv (The Tennis Channel, the Football Network, The Ice Channel). The article included a big picture of Michelle Kwan. Here's some of what was said about The Ice Channel:

"'The audience for figure skating isn't being served because network TV is doing less than it used to,'" [Jay] Rosenstein [CEO of the Ice Channel] said. "'The fan base and support haven't decreased, though; it's increased.'"

"The Ice Channel wants to show the juniors, the novices, the sectionals, the regionals, the early untelevised days of tournaments, even the major championships if it can get the rights."

And in a graphic about what each of these stations intends to show, this is what's listed for The Ice Channel:

"Programming: Live United States and overseas tournaments not seen on networks; original tournaments and classics; news, instructional, 'American Idol'-type and cooking shows; soap operas and cartoons."

Interestingly, Jerry Solomon, Nancy Kerrigan's husband, is president of the Football Network.

[A.H.Black]

This is more what I thought they might do if they had the chance. I hope they do as much competition as they can. Great news.

[honey827]

Sounds great.

[MissIndigo]

Gee, if they can pull this off, then I guess I'll just have to get digital cable.

[DancerFan]

:D Excellent!! :D Sounds great to me!!

[JillLaQ]

I've been waiting a long time for this and I can't wait for it to begin! There are so many skaters that are never shown on TV, but I've been hearing about for years, and now we'll get to see them!

[Messalina]

This is amazing - I can't wait.

[Ariadne]

"The Ice Channel wants to show the juniors, the novices, the sectionals, the regionals, the early untelevised days of tournaments, even the major championships if it can get the rights."

I wonder what counts as a major championship and what getting the rights would entail. Personally, I would love to watch some of the competitions that are never aired, but most of all I would love to watch some of the Champions series or past years of Worlds or Nationals, more or less in their entirety.

Before I started taping everything, I missed some key moments, and even after I began taping broadcast TV I reused tapes for many years without culling my favorites. Now I make favorites compilations and save only Nationals and Worlds as competitions, which means I have fewer than 30,000 tapes :) but don't get to rewatch with the sense of watching a competition.

It seems like the first publicity I saw for this indicated that they would be showing Worlds from past years -- now it doesn't seem as sure. Hmm.

[Arsenette]

Heck.. they could show our competition if they want :oops: :bow:

[pittypat]

Originally posted by MissIndigo
Gee, if they can pull this off, then I guess I'll just have to get digital cable.

Me, too !!!!!!

And let's hope that channels that are exclusive to one sport will be the only channel to show those sports so that "regular programming" channels will be freed up to show "regular programming".

One more wish as regards The Ice Channel - PLEASE train those camera people how to shoot skaters while skating - no more facial close-ups while skating. :roll:

[kayskate]

I hope they will show sectionals even top finishers are regionals. I would also like to see nats from other countries. It would be interesting to be able to see different skaters throughout the season rather than the same top few doing the same routines over and over.

Kay

[MarieTherese]

I hope they'd show some shows from the 70's and 80's I'd like to see Romeo and Juliet with Dorothy Hamill I never saw it but I believed it won an emmy award and those Peggy Flemming specials.

[Oracle]

There used to be many specials other than Hamill & Fleming. John Curry had 3 or 4 & JoJo Starbuck starred in at least 2. Robin Cousins & Dorothy Hamill in "The Nutcracker" & Cousins & Roslyn Sumners in "Sleeping Beauty". "Carmen" with Boitano, Witt & Orser. "Romeo & Juliet" also starred Toller Cranston & Brian Pockar. If the Ice Channel does come into being then I just hope our cable will carry it. I'd be devastated if they didn't.

[jazzpants]

How about one of my ol' coach, Charlie (Tickner)??? :P

[MarieTherese]

Yesss Charlie Tickner:D before there's a Hamilton and Browning there was Charlie Tickner and I only saw one performance of his My Way.

[Spinner]

I've always loved Charlie's "Story of My Life" program, started with some school figures--just wonderful!

Back on topic, I'd LOVE to have the Ice Channel in my area, but I suspect I'll need to fork out some bucks for digital cable instead of just basic...something I'm not sure I want to do. $$$$$$$$$!!

[Arsenette]

I think I heard we are getting it but it will be Digital Cable (like BBC America :oops: - Why can't THAT be basic cable :x ) but I'm sure I'll cave in and get it when it's here 8-)

[WeBeEducated]

Skating fans will get a real treat to see regionals and also get a more realistic view of skating.
I hope this really happens. I will order digital service just for the ice channel.
The idea of a skating American Idol type show will be fun and fans will get a chance to see the skaters that rock the crowds instead of just the ones the judges like.
Rohene Ward...and others like him, could be ice channel stars!
There is a Novice icedance team that the crowd loves, Luke and Raya Mafazy, who were born in Africa and have great style and rhythm like Rohene, and a skater named Jeremy Abbot who is a junior skater and has crowd appeal...so many that dont fit the conservative mold the judges here prefer could bring alot of excitment to TV.
great news!