DANKOCHIK’S DRAFTINGS: MJHL broadcasts must improve
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It was a tough week if you wanted to watch Manitoba Junior Hockey League hockey online.
For me, it started Oct. 3. While Steinbach was battling to a 5-3 victory over Waywayseecappo, the Selkirk Steelers were in a battle to try and keep their winning streak to start the season alive in overtime. Trying to catch that stream was fruitless, as I was greeted by a technical difficulties screen.
Maybe the entire platform was down, because as I went to re-watch the goals from the Steinbach game, the third period of the game was missing.
The quality didn’t improve much when the Pistons battled the Blues in Winnipeg Oct. 4, as I attempted to catch some action in between periods of the La Broquerie Habs home opener. That game had no audio, either play-by-play or arena sounds. When I tuned in to see what a player on the Blues did to earn a suspension a day later, there was no play-by-play either.
While there are plenty of ‘wants’ for me as someone who watches multiple MJHL broadcasts a week (replay capability, different camera angles, better lighting in arenas) there are some ‘must-haves’ that need to be improved.
Reliability and audio balancing are the easiest. Streams should not be going down due to technical difficulties, and having play-by-play and colour separated to one ear or the other is off-putting. I’m sure it’s complicated, with poor internet wrecking havoc, but the subscription to watch games is expensive — more than $200 per year — and I’d like to get full value for that purchase.
A free audio stream for people to listen to would be appreciated for anyone doing play-by-play across the league as well.
A bigger fix MJHL teams need to make make is camera placement. Too many rinks have cameras behind thick netting. The league and teams need to find solutions to get better looks at the game. It won’t be overnight, or a “one size fits all,” solution, but as a fan of the league, it would be great to have a better view.
Steinbach’s new arena has been great to watch games from, when the stream is live. The addition of replays from different camera angles, including at rink level has been awesome to see.
Improved broadcasts are a great way to improve the standing of the league in the eyes of scouts and fans across the country.