NHL, fox lift hockey blackout

Cable World, Feb 25, 2002

An agreement between Fox Sports and the National Hockey League lifted the blackout that was keeping hockey fans in some markets from following their favorite teams on the road. Earlier this season, Fox exercised its contractual right to black out out-of-market games not being televised locally, which meant that fans who plunked down $149 for In Demand's NHL Center Ice out-of-market package missed out on some of its home teams' games.

The blackouts were Fox's way of getting the league's attention on some other television-related issues neither side is willing to discuss. Once they settled those issues, Fox agreed to lift the blackouts for the rest of the 2002-'03 season and through the 2006-'07 season--putting the value back in Center Ice for those affected by the squeeze play. Fox t spokesman Tom Chiapetta describes the agreement as a "mutually beneficial" one that "more importantly allows hockey fans around the country to once again view the games of their favorite teams." The NHL did not have an official comment.