COMCAST Says OLN Will Rebrand Next Summer; NHL Opening Night

(From Sports Business Daily)

COMCAST Programming President JEFF SHELL said a name change for OLN "is coming next summer," according to CABLEFAX DAILY.

Additionally, Shell said that with its NHL coverage, the network "will concentrate on the hardcore fan, who it expects will use the network as a destination, particularly during playoff time."

OLN also plans to use less camera angles, because "funky camera moves didn't help ESPN get the casual fan to tune in."

OLN debuted its NHL coverage last night with Rangers/Flyers, beginning the telecast with an intro by actor KIEFER SUTHERLAND.

Studio host BILL CLEMENT, joined by analysts KEITH JONES and NEIL SMITH, said to viewers, "Thank you, thank you, thank you for your patience." The trio discussed the rule changes and increased competitive balance.

In a taped message, DONALD TRUMP said, "I love the rule changes. I think the rule changes are going to be really, really special. I believe in the NHL. Welcome back."

NHL Commissioner GARY BETTMAN, on keeping the momentum of opening night going throughout the season -- "There's pent-up demand and excitement, and everybody's happy that we're back, and the way we sustain it is with a great product on the ice."

In California, MICHAEL LEV notes OLN's broadcast "needed more graphics as the hosts jumped from one topic to another." Music also accompanied replays, which is "fine for between-periods highlights, but it's distracting during the game."