Does anyone remember that glow puck FOX had on their broadcast when they were covering NHL?

Question

1. Did you like the glow puck or hate it?
I thought it was cool, it made the puck very visible and thats what i think the main problem is with people of why they dont watch hockey because the puck is hard to see.
2. Also do you know why did they get rid of it?
3. Any chance of any other company (versus, nbc, espn) using it?

Answer 1

I do remember that glowing puck thing.

1. I did not like it. In fact, it's in a book as one of the worst sports ideas ever. The light was never focused on the puck, since the game is moving too fast. It caused professional hockey to seem like a video game. When David Ortiz hits a home run, a light doesn't shine on the baseball and follow it out of the park. It was just an attempt to get people to tune in.
2. They got rid of it because the average sports fan won't watch a hockey game. True fans didn't like the idea, for the reason mentioned above. They attempted to use an aerial camera, but that flopped too.
3. No one will use it because it's a terrible idea. Versus barely even has hockey coverage. In fact, two weeks ago, there were 11 NHL games on, but Vs. broadcasted none of them. Watching bass fishing was more important. NBC won't use it because they saw how bad FOX did with it. ESPN will not air a hockey game because they don't have any of the rights. They did not sign a contract with the NHL because of the lockout, hence the contract with Versus. Also, that contract is killing the NHL since most people don't even know which channel number Vs. is on.

Answer 2

The first Fox game was called by John Davidson. He originally refused the gig on the grounds that (and this is his quote)

"Two million Canadians a week have been watching Hockey for 40 years and the CBC has never had ONE complaint about not being able to see the puck, I find it hard to believe that any Americans would have that issue. How many calls did ABC get after Lake Placid? I'm thinking they got none as well and fifteen million people watched that game!"


1. I hated the glow puck and I hated the commercials that Fox used to promote their coverage and the glow puck

2. Fox used that puck until they lost the rights, and trust me, the glow puck played a role in the rights being given back to ABC

3. None, zilch! Nada.

Answer 3

1. Hated it. It was a gimmick to attract new fans to the game. I found it to be an annoyance more than anything. The puck being hard to see is not the reason that people do not watch hockey. You rarely hear people who are fans of the game make that complaint. People who know the game from either a fan standpoint or playing standpoint generally don't have that problem.

2. They got rid of it because of costs and the fact that the gimmick wore off. Those pucks were considerably more expensive than a rubber puck, to the point that clubs were going into the stands and trying to negotiate with fans to get them back.

3. No. The gimmick wasn't worth the expense involved and more fans disliked it rather than shared your opinion.

-- I did some computer work some years ago for Joe Kadlec, the Flyers former publicity director. He has a room in his house that is an absolute shrine to the Flyers with some incredible memorabilia. One of the things he had was one of those glow pucks with the Flyers logo.

Answer 4

1) EVERYONE hated it. Well ok here is the story. The Pick was so incredibly expensive that the Network actually had to have people in the stands to GET the pucks that went into the stands. No for real. Anyway it wasn't attracting new fans, and was PISSING off the old fans.
2) Note above:Cost, Angry fan base, not adding to the fan base.
3)Nope no one will ever use it again. The cost will always be the biggest thing

WATCH HOCKEY. Trust me you will learn how to follow the puck. See it's kinda like those pictures where you have to stop LOOKING for the picture and "unfocus". Stop looking for the puck and FOLLOW THE ACTION. Trust me you aren't going to see a bunch of guys hitting each other along the boards for fun, they are usually trying to get the puck loose.

Answer 5

I do remember it. It was horrible, when the puck went into the bottom corner of the screen, there was still the glow around the boards area.

My take on this...

They added that feature to attract non-hockey fans to help them better understand and follow the game. The reason they got rid of it was because the true hockey fans didn't like it and complained about it. Fox soon realized, like many networks after them, that hockey in the US just does not appeal to the average American and they were better off to keeps the core group of hockey fans happy.

Answer 6

1. I thought the glowing puck was stupid. Everyone I knew thought it was stupid. The only person that saw any silver lining was my dad, who thought it was okay when the puck was in the corner close to the camera.

2. They got rid of it because it was a stupid idea that didn't work. If it did, CBC would have it now.

3. I don't see anyone trying that again. That doesn't mean that they won't try stupid ideas.

Answer 7

If Versus starts using a Foxtrax puck, I hope someone burns down their studio. That thing was TERRIBLE, and that's why it was gotten rid of! If you're watching hockey, you ought to be able to follow the puck, by watching where the play is going if nothing else. I hated watching a game, minding my own business, and suddenly a big orange streak whizzed across the screen; it was so annoying! Ugh, thanks for dredging up all the repressed hatred and rage I had toward that stupid thing!

Answer 8

1) Not a fan of the glow puck, and you are the only person I have ever heard, say they like it.......but hey, I think Cooperalls are sexy...so what do I know.
2) They got rid of it, because it did not attract more viewers.
3) I think hockey fans around the world would riot the television corporations if that were to happen.

Answer 9

Yes I remember the glow pucks. They contained very expensive computer chips, and this caused problems when the puck left the ice and went into the seats. Staff would quickly bombard whoever caught the puck to take it back.

And yea I liked the glow puck, cause its annoying when the puck is against the boards and you can't see whats going on.

Unfortunately, no other broadcast company is currently using the glow puck.

Answer 10

It was HORRIBLE, especially when they put the blue trail on the puck for shots and passes. I'll tell you what makes the puck easier to follow. An HD TV! The difference it makes is un-freakin'-believable.

Dont count on anyone adopting the glowing puck. I'm sure they got countless complaints.