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LEAFS TV MORE THAN JUST AN EXPERIMENT |
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October 17, 2005, 8:06 PM ET
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BY HOWARD BERGER
The Fan-590 Radio, Toronto
Television viewers in Toronto and across Ontario seem to have accepted
the fact that a dozen or so Maple Leaf games will be shown this season
on the club's in-house station, LEAFS TV. And, that's a good thing.
There could well come a day when the vast majority of Leaf games will
be available on a pay-per-view basis; it's the primary reason Maple
Leaf Sports & Entertainment invested in its own grand production.
And while the subscription count for LEAFS TV will undoubtedly rise
because of the game telecasts, I think viewers will be more than
pleasantly surprised with the station's overall content. Ever since its
inception half-a-decade ago, LEAFS TV has aired replays of vintage Leaf
telecasts from the 1950s through to the current day, and nothing is
more appealing if you happen to value the club's storied history.
Listening to Bill Hewitt and Brian McFarlane call a game from the
mid-'60s with Frank Mahovlich, Johnny Bower, Tim Horton and Dave Keon
skating in their prime is a treat for any long-time Leaf watcher.
LEAFS TV boss John Shannon has put together an exceptional cast of
broadcasters, hosts and analysts. Brian Duff, the point man for much of
the station's content, is a guy I worked with at The Fan-590 for a
couple of years in the mid-to-late '90s. He is an absolute natural in
front of the camera and I'll make a prediction about him right now: If
and when Ron MacLean decides to pack it in somewhere down the line on
Hockey Night In Canada, Brian will be his replacement, and will become
nationally renowned for his smooth delivery, and knowledge of the game.
And, I'll be right here to say I told you so when it happens.
If you're not aware of Duff's abilities, turn on the program IN
CONVERSATION WITH. Brian talks to a kaleidoscope of hockey
personalities, and his interviewing skills are to be envied.
Veteran sports broadcaster Mike Anscombe has hosted ONCE A LEAF since
the station's inception � a sit-down with former Leaf players. Few TV
people in our era have done a better job of bringing out the true
personality of hockey stars than the respected Anscombe.
My good friend, Bob Harwood, left LEAFS TV a few weeks ago to be the
primary rink-level reporter for the NHL's national-TV package on the
Outdoor Life Network in the U.S. It was a well-deserved promotion for
one of the best people in the business. To replace Bob, John Shannon
brought in an immediately recognizable personality � former NHL goalie
Greg Millen � whose experience in the game and contacts throughout the
league will be a huge plus for the station. He joins a fine cast that
includes former Leaf captain Rick Vaive, ex-NHL coach Gary Green and
the always entertaining Glenn Healy. Along with Duff, LEAFS TV is
fortunate to have "The Poet", otherwise known as Paul Hendrick, whose
solid work for many years on CHCH-TV Channel 11 in Hamilton earned him
a position as a mainstay on LEAFS TV.
The station carries extensive pre and post-game coverage of all Leaf
games, even the ones that are carried by other networks. An excellent
daily show that airs at 5 p.m. � LEAFS TODAY � brings hockey fans all
of the news and interviews from that morning's practice or day-of-game
skate. THE REPORTERS airs each Sunday, from 10 a.m. to noon, with a
cast of media folk � mainly from the Toronto region � debating the
stories of the day. This program is so solidly entrenched that it's
even managed to survive my frequent appearances.
What I'm getting at, is that LEAFS TV is a considerable bargain for
laying out something like three dollars a month. You need a digital
cable box to receive the station's signal, but the entire package is
well worth the modest investment. And, mark my word, as the seasons
pass, more and more Leaf regular-season games will be brought in-house
by the club. Get used to that idea, and bring LEAFS TV into your home.
You won't be disappointed.
Toronto Maple Leafs Blogger •