No official word that I can find on bringing back Linda Cohn as host on the Kraken Hockey Network for some select games like last year, joining Ian Furness and Alison Lukan at the main desk. It would be her second year, even though she reportedly was moved back to the east coast for ESPN/Bristol when it closed the Loa Angeles studio where she anchored with Stan Verritt. Regardless, looking for some strong production and content improvements, especially on the pre-game shows this season. They opened last year with a terrible background, which was quickly ditched. In general, I thought there was a lack of energy and enthusiasm in the presentation which didn't match the fan energy for the team. KING and KONG will be the Seattle flagships stations again
Here's the latest on Kraken broadcast info and talent from the team web site.
Well, considering the fanfare that the team received since its inception, it seems like much of it has been fumbled in the past few seasons. If they don't get it figured out soon, the team could get lost in the shuffle.
ReplyDeleteI think Forslund is very good on play by play, but, I agree, the team seems to be struggling internally. Lukan and Piper Shaw came over from Root when the Kraken left the channel. Cohn did not make a big difference in overall popularity, IMHO.
DeleteThe show didn't flow very smoothly when she was on.
ReplyDeleteThat is being kind. She was really unprepared it felt. The network was voted second in the NHL by The Athletic. Forslund is great but the entire product is better than what I have seen on ROOT the last few years, although I don't think I watched a Mariners pregame show this year.
Deleteune in on Thursday and let's find out if she is back and better. I have my doubts. I don't think she is worth the money spent. Pre-game or post game shows don't do that well numbers-wise without well-known names (See Inside the NBA) On local TV, they carry live game 'adjacency' commercials at rates which ad buyers like. I want to see the set, production and energy from the KHN this year. The Kraken is not a daily obsession. Promotion could be way better. I have always felt there are 20,000 hard core hockey fans and they attend every game. Not much for casuals.
DeleteAnother thing to note is there may be some additional talent available in the area due to the end of Root.
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