So the Penguins announced Sportsnet Pittsburgh and now they’ve announced some seismec changes to the broadcast as well. Both Steve Mears and Bob Errey will no longer be doing the broadcast.
Announcers and broadcasts have a level of subjectivity to them, for sure. However, objectively speaking the Penguins broadcast has been among the worst in the league for a while and it is reflected on any big article that ranks the league’s broadcasts. This has been the case for a long time. At some point you have to accept the feedback and make changes. Here is a blurb from last year’s rankings of the NHL broadcasts from The Athletic fan vote
27. Pittsburgh Penguins
The broadcast: AT&T SportsNet carries Penguins games, with Steve Mears doing play-by-play and Bob Errey doing color.
Local ranking: 25
National: 28
Last season: 27
The results: Pittsburgh’s broadcast has consistently ranked near the bottom of the league and this year’s no different.
Even Penguins fans have them in the bottom third while out of market fans have them a shade lower. Given the star power and intrigue surrounding the team this is an unacceptable standard and the status quo wasn’t good enough.
I personally agree with the rankings. With few exceptions I seek out the opponent’s broadcast when watching the Penguins while sometimes flipping over to Pittsburgh’s to catch a Dan Potash interview. Everything else felt second rate.
Once upon a time I think Bob Errey did a good job on the color commentary. He brought unique energy and was a nice complement to the proceedings. There were definitely laugh out loud moments with him. I think he lost some of his energy and I also think the game has changed and Errey became less and less of a fit. The broadcast definitely needs some modernizing and I don’t think Errey is the guy to make that happen. Look no further than Seattle’s broadcast to see what a modern broadcast can and will do.
The Penguins broadcast has felt plastic and superficial in recent years and a big reason for that has been Steve Mears. Mears brings the energy of a non-playable character doing the play by play. Listening to someone that sounds like they were made in laboratory at a broadcast school isn't interesting and doesn't add anything to broadcast.
Think about all the great moments of Penguins hockey this era and then ask yourself how many goal calls on TV have met the moment since they kicked Mike Lange off the broadcast. Look, nobody is going to fill the Mike Lange void, but could someone perhaps, try? Mears goal calls had the authenticity of a national guy calling his fourth game in six nights in February.
Per the Josh Yohe article it looks like there might be potential for a Josh Getzoff, Phil Bourque, Colby Armstrong booth and I think it would be a significant upgrade for the viewers
Team sources believe that radio play-by-play broadcaster Josh Getzoff will replace Mears in the TV booth. Phil Bourque will remain as an analyst, though it remains to be seen if he will work in his customary radio slot or move to television.
The sources expect Colby Armstrong to play a bigger role in Penguins broadcasts moving forward.
For now, I haven't heard anything suggesting the Penguins are making a change to the best part of their broadcast, Dan Potash. I would like to think his job is safe as he is one of the best in the league at what he does.
Edit: His job is safe
I have been more than ready to turn the page on the current broadcast team and I am ready to see what the new setup will sound like.
If you’re going to likely charge $30 per month for your streaming service you’re gonna have to make sure the broadcast isn’t ranked among the worst in the league. The Fenway Sports Group has seemingly understood this and are making overdue changes.
Thanks for reading!
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