This is great news.

However the NHL has another major problem and that is that its NHL Center Ice package is being very poorly managed at least by DirecTV.

DirecTV have missed the first period of the first game of the season and cut a game off last Saturday as it was going into overtime. Also, the NHL's control doesn't seem to include making sure that fans get the same package depending on which outlet they purchase Center Ice from. For example, Dish offers both home and away feeds of games and offers pre and post game shows that are part of the Hockey Night in Canada package. DirecTV doesn neither of these and to date has a poor selection of games in HD. So buyer beware....

Lock out not strike! UGH!

What is the damned hold up with Charter Cable and the ridiculous wrangling within the NHL’s marketing ‘operations’ offices?? I am exactly one inch from calling a Dish Network weenie to have a bowl mounted on the roof just so I can get the NHL Center Ice package piped in! Is that NOT ridiculous? I have to perform construction work on my home AND pay a stupid high monthly fee just to watch games because YOU TWO ‘entities’ can’t come together on a package! The next call will be to Charter to have them come and pull their junk out of my house and a third call will be to my whacky lawyer friend who has WAY too much time on his hands and I’m going to sick him on BOTH of your groups to find out who’s the improperly advised team. I will push this - I am a fan of the game and you are denying my RIGHT to enjoy the sport by your foolish and misguided greed. Is it greed from the NHL mandating carriage of the NHL Network in exchange for rights to CI? Or, is it the cable company realizing the NHL doesn’t have the clout some in the top offices would like and are determined to verify that? Either way - you're pissing off a LOT of fans by this BS and it needs to be resolved. Cut the crap and drop the puck! I'm giving all of you clowns til Friday, 10-12 to pull your heads out of your collective arse and get the games on my TV! Enough with the corporate/legal/idiotic shenanigans - you’re going to bomb another season if this keeps up. Oh yes, pay heed... trust me. This game will again suffer the wrath of angry fans if this issue isn't resolved. There are OVER 2,000,000 (MILLION) subscribers in my market area (Midwest - Charter). If you give the NHL a whole 8% fan base (remember - this is the Upper Midwest we're talking about - Hockey IS relevant here the numbers are probably more like 12-15% on a good day) that equals roughly 160-200,000+ households that you and Charter are collectively alienating - bring THAT to the board meetings and stuff in the peace pipe! It's reality, gentlemen/ladies. Get this deal done - give up on the pipe dream that the NHL is a mainstream sport (it never will be if these petty politico/corporate bologna games continue) and let the cable company put the damned channel on their sports tier. Do you think we have a chance competing for eyeballs with the NFL or even the MLB? They weren't given any ground, either. It's not the NHL buckling - its good business - let’s get the games on the air and start spreading goodwill instead of manure! Allow the consumers the choice in reference to the NHL network -P.S. It's only $4 a month for the sports tier - AND - you need a converter box to view the InDemand/NHL Center Ice games anyway! Charter could package the deal for an extra $3 bucks a month and make out like the bandits they are - AND - the NHL gets some of the coverage they NEED to survive - and thrive - Plus - I can quit all the bitching I’m doing with my numerous friends and acquaintances regarding the sad state of affairs that is the NHL Front Office. Get me? WIN-WIN - heard that before? DO IT! Thanks for listening! Pass it along - if you wish.

Yeah, great! But when is NHLN coming to Dish network??????
Does anyone Know?
When? What channel? Anything?

Thanks, Leland

Done deal - the dish is going up on the wall today - I have both written and verbal guarantees from DishNetwork stating NHL Center Ice will be on my TV TONIGHT. Charter - Why don't you negotiate to BLOW ME.

Will the NHL Network be on DISH for NON HD customers? Their press release seems to imply it's only going to be on their HD service. I am a "normal" DISH subscriber and have NHL Center Ice but can't seem to tune into the NHL Network...what channel?

I have DirectTV HD and it's currently a nightmare. The Center Ice package has some games that it says are in HD but then they're not. I haven't experienced any games being cut short or anything, but I would like to see the post-game shows, and DTV cuts them off. And being able to view a home and away feed would be great, so I can hear Mickey Redmond continue to prove he's among the best HOCKEY announcers out there. Is anyone else tired of hearing announcers act like home-team fans?

I understand the Direct TV, though, will improve their HD coverage as they add more 'local' sports channels in HD (Fox Sports, MSG, etc). I'm crossing my fingers that they improve it all and hope the NHL Network gets on the air with them soon.

If you want to see the postgame shows on DirecTV, you should subscribe to the sports pack. Since you want to hear Mickey Redmond, I don't suppose you might be a biased Red Wings fan?

NHL Network is up and running on DirecTV on Channel 215, just down from NFL network which is on 212. Which means it is not on a Sports Tier package, so it is free with a minimal package from DirecTV. Also, if you have the 5 LNB Dish, you can also get both networks in glorious High Definition!!!

I certainly hope this means [after 7 years of living in the USA] that I will get to finally watch the world juniors and world championships [hockey] LIVE! LOL!

So I wake up this morning and go to watch highlights on this new station and low and behold now I don't have the channel in my package. What gives after all the loyality to the NHL and now they cut my feed 2 days in jeez, and to think I was going to pay $75 to see the Blues play next week, not anymore. You would think the NHL got a clue and was going to take care of the real US fans but it looks like GB F'''d up again. Hope I'm wrong and go home to 215 back on in all it's glory and not costing me anymore than I already shell out. NHL Net should be free since you blew the ESPN deal MR Bettmen.

I too was getting annoyed by not getting the post game shows. However, at least for the Red Wings I've found the solution. The post game shows are on Fox Sports Detroit (FSD). I've also discovered that I can watch the game on the FSD channel as well as the NHL reserved channel. It's not the best solution, but you may want to see if the Fox Sports station of the team you're watching has the post game show.

After multiple discussions with both Directv and with the local stations airing the post game shows I have discovered it is not solely Directv. The local stations have control of what they are and are not willing to blackout, in most cases if you do not see the postgame show for your respective area it is because the local station chooses to black out the availability because they want to (not a good excuse I know) or because they have not been able to come to an agreement with Directv. This was confirmed by the local station and not simple what Directv explained. The only way to fix that is to talk to the group owning the station and request changes. As for the NHL Network I have it on both the HD TV and the old TV so it should be available to all Directv customers just as NFL Network.

I did get the NHL Network and it's cool to see the vintage games. Nice to see the product before the ridiculous expansion killed the sport. Don't have much desire to watch a bunch of teams who can't even put a couple decent lines on the ice. Also, and I don't know if I'm alone on this, but it would be nice to see the whole screen when you watch a game . I don't need a reminder that I'm watching the NHL Network on the bottom of the screen 100% of the time. You can't even read the graphics because they can't stop advertising for one second. Seems the NHL is a constant source of frustration. Of course it does not help that I'm a Blackhawks fan. At least
" Dollar Bill" Wirtz is finally gone.

As a dish network subscriber I have Center ice and for the most part love the service. I dont have the HD package yet so i dont see the NHL network on any channel as of yet but i hope it will be on a Center Ice channel soon.

As for pre and post game coverage, the teams that seem to run on CI are the Avs(pre), and Buf(post). And Hockey Night In Canada coverage is excellent with both games and After Hours segments included. The Only HD hockey ove see so far is my local PBS station that runs Duck games, and NBC, both with rabbit ear over the air antennas running off my HD set.

My only hopes for the NHL in the US is that all games run in HD for free for everyone. Id love the option of swapping the NFL,Golf, or NBA for having the NHL network and that Versus quits the hockey business entirely and they get back on ESPN where there belong!

OK, I could swear I was getting the NHL network on my DirecTV service. I do not have the Center Ice package and was happy to see this was not something that you would ONLY see if you had the CI package. Just like the NFL network, you get it w/o getting Sunday Ticket. But tonight I just tried 215 and it showed the "channel not purchased" banner with nothing coming through. Can anyone else validate this?

OK, update on my comment above. Seems DirecTV is now requiring people to be at the Total Choice + "tier" or to have the NHL Center Ice plan to get the NHL Network. OK, what a crock. So lowly old me, who is not renewing the NHL CI package is screwed and subject to Versus. Or I have to pay the extra $5 per month for the "+". There ya go.

So, what was the deal Wednesday the 7th? I TiVo'd the "Game" on NHLN - RedWings Preds... except, they showed "On The Fly" and joined the game in the 2nd period! Also, the sound was not in sync a lot of the time.... What the heck happened?

where do i get the programming lineup for the chanel.

I am a Comcast Digital subscriber, and paid for NHL Center Ice. I also pay 4.95 a month for the Sports Tier, which includes NBA TV and NFL network. Last night, I went to check up on Leafs/Sabres on Center Ice, and the graphic said the game was on NHLNET. Where do I find that channel Comcast !!!!!! what a joke

Wow! I have DirecTV and I have been a loyal Center Ice subscriber for years and just learned that the NHL Network is up and running. Thanks for the insight from all those who wrote in. I am going to check it out tonight. Thanks Bob for the heads up on Channel 215.

Wow! I have DirecTV and I have been a loyal Center Ice subscriber for years and just learned that the NHL Network is up and running. Thanks for the insight from all those who wrote in. I am going to check it out tonight. Thanks Bob for the heads up on Channel 215.

I've been watching- NHL ON THE FLY- seems ok, but how about some opinions rather than just facts. As an example- Tampa Bay was absolutely robbed in overtime agains Atlanta the other night on a brutal penalty call ! Someone please tell Colin Campbell and associates that we are playing hockey ,not tennis.On the other hand we are subjected to replays of the mindless fights.

Does anyone know what the DISH TV channel is for NHL Network.

The only way to get the NHL Network on DirecTV is to be a Total Choice "Xtra" or Center Ice subscriber. If you subscribe to the sports package you don't get the NHL network. What a joke that is you can't get a sports channel with the sports package.

i have NHL center ice online because my apartment is too proud to allow any television except their own. now i find out that the penguin game is blacked out on center ice and of course i dont get NHL network at my apartment. your welcome for the 162 dollars, shmuck

Cudos to the Nhl for this channel. I have become so disappointed with Espn for their nhl coverage. It's refreshing to see expanded hockey highlights of each days' games.

I've been getting the runaround from DirecTV on the black out policy. Imagine my surprise when I tried to view the Pens game on 11/30 only to find that it was "subject to local blackout restrictions". Given that I live 2500 miles from Pittsburgh, this came as a shock. And this is the second time this has happened with a game broadcast on NHLN. And by the way, I subscribe to the NHL package and the game was blacked out on the the two additional FSN stations carrying the same game.

NHLN on DISH seems to imply that most games, if not all, will be in HD. Case in point, the Leafs game next Friday night vs Atlanta says in the DISH listings that it is NOT in HD. Can anyone clear this up? Will this be in HD or not?

Will everyone quit blaming the NHL and Gary Bettman for poor coverage of NHL and hockey on US television. And for those who want the NHL back on ESPN, ARE YOU NUTS??? When they carried NHL games, ESPN continued to treat hockey like the sport didn't even exist. I am so happy that ESPN is no longer showing NHL hockey. I am not expecting my Cable company to pick up NHL Net anytime soon and have become used to the fact that at any given moment on my television I can pick up 15 basketball games, 7 football games, 2 soccer games, but no hockey. CSTV use to be a godsend for me as I was able to watch a few college games throughout the week, but now that CBS has bought them, guess what I get to see?? --- MORE BASKETBALL!! Yukk.

I too have Comcast and I subscribe to NHL Center ICE. Comcast does not currently carry the NHL Network, so any game that is broadcast on the NHL Network, I can't see. Isn't that a disgrace to pay $150 a year to see all the NHL games, and you miss a few because Comcast doesn't carry the NHL Network? Comcast is obviously not into customer service. Did the NHL Network sneak up on them? What a joke.

IF anyone can verify that Dish is currently carrying the NHL Network, I'll switch to them in the new year. I like the fact that you can get both the home and away feeds of Center ICE games. Are any of the Center ICE games on Dish in HD? NONE of the Center Ice games on Comcast are on HD.

If someone can summarize what their cable network/satellite provide on the following questions, it'll help us hockey fans make an informed decision.

1. carries NHL Network?
2. NHL Network in HD?
3. cost for NHL Network, or sports tier required, or tier required?
4. Center ICE package in HD?
5. home/away feeds for Center ICE package?

Comcast (Portland, OR)
1. does NOT carry NHL Network (Dec. 9, 2007)
2. NHL Network not available
3. NHL Network not available
4. Center ICE NOT in HD - no games
5. feeds for Center ICE games vary - could be home or away, with exception of HNIC CBC feeds for Canadian Saturday games that are being carried on the Canadian national broadcast.

Has anyone heard about NHL Network being carried on Verizon FIOS?

Has anyone heard about NHL Network being carried on Verizon FIOS?

As far as I know, Verizon FIOS's TV programming will be essentially supplied by Direct TV. It'll be Direct TV piped through their fiber network. Direct TV carries the NHL Network, so Verizon should offer it in one of their packages.

cox cable per a press release last October reached an agreement to carry nhl network yet fails to do so meaning 50 less games on Center Ice. No refund either and no chance to choose as center ice does not publish a schedule more than one month ahead.

complete rip-0ff. cable not competititeve with dish. will make a great class action lawsuit for fraud

NHL Network is on Dish Network channel 403 and, if you have NHL Center Ice, also on channel 559. I can't get either of those channels although I do have NHL Center Ice. I believe this is because my receiver, 942, is not MPEG4. I'm looking at buying a 722 to get the MPEG4 channels but need to know which satellite those channels are on. Basically is it 110 or 129? or another. It matters as I am in Alaska. I can receive some HD as I have a large dish and get the basic HD channels just fine.

I'm already upset at my cable provider( Time Warner) for not coming to an agreement with the NFL Network...now, as a long-time subscriber to NHL Center Ice, I am finding games by my favorite team not covered...WTF! I pay good money to see all 'My-Team's' games broadcast and now I am finding a larger number of games than expected unavailable when there is no other way for me to see them...what's a guy to do?!

how much do u have to pay to get the NHL Network? for time warner cable

I AM A TIME WARNER SUBSCRIBER AND PAID $149.00 FOR NHL CENTER ICE,AS OF THIS DATE I DO NOT GET NHL NET.IS IT THE CABLE COMPANY OR CENTER ICE.ONLY .WHEN YOU PAY FOR A SERVICE THAT GETS HOCKEY,YOU SHOULD GET THE SERVICE????I AGREE WITH UPSET IN THE SOUTH.IT IS BULL CRAP!

A REAL HOCKEY FAN FROM DAY ONE

Why are the games on the NHL network not shown on Dish Network's Centre Ice package in the US. Because the game is on the NHL Network I do not get the Sportsnet feed on Centre Ice......WHY ????
I paid alot to get this package to see the Flames play....I don't get it.....

I have att/dish tv. I don't have the hd package. Does anyone know if the NHL Network is available on the regular dish channels or do you have to suscribe to dish hd? Does anyone know when it will be available?

Well, this is my last year of getting the center ice package. Now that versus and NHL network are siphoning off so many friggen games, I am sick of it, and they siphon off the premier games too. Screw 'em. Tired of paying through the nose just to be treated like this. Center ice should carry all the stinkin' games, or they should lower the price since they are not showing nearly as many games now. Bettman is a butthead, lets face it. He's got no more feet left to shoot. To see the same games that they used to show, you now gotta get Center Ice, Versus and NHL Net. That would cost over $300/season. No thanks. There is only so much blood they can suck out of me.

:Off-topic warning:
"The league, still recovering from a devastating player strike that sent TV ratings plunging, agreed to be carried on sports tiers, which will limit how many people will be watching at launch."

Owner lockout not player strike. I cannot stand when it is misstated like that.