Where Was The Women’s U18 Canada Versus USA Gold Medal Game On TV? Hidden Behind The Boys Game
Hockey Canada’s U18 Women’s team. Chatham’s Jessie McPherson sits front row, second from the left
So while every single game of the U20 World Junior Championships played on networks like TSN, viewers had to scour poor streaming options to find a Canada versus USA gold medal game at the Women’s World U18 Championships in Slovakia.
Why wasn’t it broadcast? No idea, but this is where those in charge of the decision making at big networks need to see an opportunity, both for a new viewership market, and to give hope for young female athletes who dream to someday play on a world stage, and see their efforts recognized.
You know, we can recognize our shortcomings. Our coverage has been nowhere near equitable enough, which is why we committed in our New Year resolutions to push for more womens coverage on CKSN. It exists, and it’s valuable, and every young girl, both here, and across the globe, should be able to see role models.
In Chatham, Bridget Carleton has done that for basketball. When she played for the NCAA’s Iowa State in her hometown, and when she made the WNBA, dozens of young girls in Chatham imagined themselves on the court playing in front of thousands of adoring local fans, and saw themselves on the television screen.
Chatham’s Jessie McPherson was going for gold with Team Canada’s women’s U18 hockey team this week, but local girls didn’t have easy access to what could be a life altering, and encouraging moment.
So where was the women’s game? Hidden behind a boys game that didn’t matter to the youth in our country, or the viewership of the networks who chose to show it.
Instead of inspiring Canadian girls and cheering on our Canadian women in a gold medal game, we were all watching Sweden and the Czech Republic play in a U20 men’s quarterfinal. All we got were a small handful of updates at stoppages of play.
It doesn’t seem right, and it isn’t.
We know there is more money in the World Juniors, but it doesn’t mean that there isn’t a market for women’s hockey, and there wouldn’t be an even bigger market in the future if networks started showing games.
It’s the same fight professional women’s hockey players are fighting. They want and deserve recognition.
It’s obviously too late now, but we hope that somewhere, someone at TSN, or Sportsnet, or CBC sees the value in showing girls their dreams matter too.
Why can’t our daughters and sisters see their hockey idols playing?
The Women’s U18 World Championships gold medal game was a missed opportunity.
We can all do better.
TV is a business. How much $$ do you realistically think that TSN or Sportsnet would generate by showing U18 Women’s hockey? Get off your high horse and use common sense.
A Canada vs USA gold medal game? More than a Sweden vs. Czech Republic quarterfinal.
It doesn’t justify just to put it on for equality. It has to be wanted. Unfortunately there are not enough to watch and make it worth it. Hence the pity comment.
How can people know they even want it if never even given the opportunity to watch it? But people in Canada want to watch Sweden vs Czech or any of the other non Canada girls? Seriously? Give me a break.
I agree, ANY opportunity to showcase a Canadian Hockey Team against the USA is REASON to show the game. We Canadians LOVE our hockey at EVERY level and both men and women’s- The WORLD stage is a prestigious PLACE to be and we fans LOVE when our teams kick US hockey butt.
get out
Jimmy will never get it. Jimmy is part of the problem. Don’t be a Jimmy.
You’re right. I’m the problem. Every sports fan wishes there was more women’s hockey on TV. That’s the plan. That’s how to make money. That’s right. You win!
Jimmy must’ve read that there was over 15k viewers streaming the women’s game, while many fans were unable to access it!
15K fans is nowhere near enough… and that’s the championship game. You’ve got to think all the money the network would need to spend to broadcast it. Even if it drew 200,000 on live TV — that’s nowhere near enough.
For arguments sake, 9 years ago, Switzerland vs. Russia in a Quarter-Final game of the Men’s World Junior tournament drew over 1 million viewers. In 2015, Russia vs Sweden drew nearly 1.5 million viewers. And even if those games only drew 500,000 viewers – it’s still a lot more than (unfortunately) the women would draw. Not to mention that TSN would already have a broadcast crew there ready to go because of the Canadian Men’s games, which would make it cheaper to show the others.
A whole 15k? Your not selling advertising to fill they time slot. Network would lose money. Sorry but jimmy is right. This is the same as why women’s tennis players earn less than the men and martini Navratilova makes less than Johnny mac for being the face of Wimbledon. More companies pay for the men’s over the women’s because that who pays the bills. Now I am not saying this is right. Whst im saying is that is the realities. 15k viewers is a loss for the network.
dont be a jimmy
Exactly, Don’t be a Jimmy, JImmy DOES NOT, NEVER WILL get it!
The only one being realistic is Jimmy. Be like Jimmy
You may not like what Jimmy says. But let’s be honest. It is absolutely correct.
Instead of blaming the networks you need to convince corporations to put up advertising dollars, because Jimmy is right
There was not a lot of networks bidding against TSN when they initially decided to cover the men’s juniors… with time it became the tradition it now is.
Would I have watched the girls game if it was televised…. yes
Would I have watched the Canadian or American teams beat Japan (or France, Italy etc etc) 22-0?
The girls game is also plagued with other issues
Jimmy has hit the nail on the head however people might want to watch the gold medal game, that being the only exception. To give all women’s hockey equal coverage to men’s would basically be doing it out of pity.
Wow…that is not the reply that deserves credit. Women and men sould be equal.. they work hard, play hard and give up so much to represent our country. I am offended by your statement. The women’s game should have been covered!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Maybe you should front the money to broadcast it then. Because no TV Networks are going to go anywhere near something that is going to lose the network a ton of money.
I don’t understand how these people don’t get it. It’s always been about the $$. It’s a business
The u18 men’s Ivan Hlinka is never televised so why is this even an argument? U18 versus world juniors? Get a grip lol
While I don’t disagree it should have been covered, I’m not sure that them working hard and playing hard is the correct reasoning.
Supporting our country on the other hand makes plenty of sense. If we want future generations of women’s hockey players it is in our best interest to give our kids a reason to become just that.
Perhaps that reasoning alone falls short if we don’t broadcast bobsleighing or cross-country skiing though.
Come on, Hockey is our National sport the one we are know best for. If our Canadian women make it to the gold game they deserve the opportunity to be cheered on by this Nation. I under stand networks need to make money but after all Canada demands Canadian contents.. time for our Canadian Broadcasting Corporation to put its money where it’s mouth is
Let’s broadcast a basketball league for short people and a baseball league with foam bats surely that will also rake in the cash
That is exactly was I was thinking Kate. Yes, the problem with this world is that it’s all about money. But if they showed more women’s sports, there would be more viewers and then the money would come in. We are equal and men are afraid to let us in to prove it! Our girls need equal time!
This is sooo true Ian 👍. Female hockey has come a long way. Some can actually play with boys/men and keep up with them. Some also bleed hockey. My daughter started playing hockey at 3 years old and has played hockey every year since and loves it and is a great player, she is now 24 years old. There are many girls/women out there who play just as much and are great players. Yes it would be great if they too were recognized of their efforts and love for the game!!
If it is equal it deserves coverage. Come on really it is not equal. And as so.eone said off the high horse. The women’s game I’d different. If you don’t think it is, don’t bother replying here
Only if they are equal, should they have or get the same treatment. If you are saying the girls game is equal to the Men’s game, wake up. They work hard as you said but still not there. Men’s a world Juniors I or has been on air so ce 1979. May be off by year or two
Equality of opportunity does not equality of result. You can’t force that in a free market society that’s based on profit and loss. It would be wonderful if there was as much interest in women’s Jr hockey as men’s, however that simply isn’t the case. Perhaps, in time it could be equal, and because of that possibility, those on here railing against the fact that it wasn’t mainstream enough should spend their time finding ways to make it so, instead of complaining that it wasn’t. It’s not up to the sports networks to generate interest in something, it’s up to people to call for what they want to see…
Kate Dymock, the womens game WAS covered, that’s an important point to understand. The people you’re offended by aren’t being offensive, you simply don’t like what’s being said… Thankfully, Canadian young women do have an opportunity to play (equal opportunity) hockey, and at a high level… but understanding the ‘business side’ of broadcasting is important. Hopefully enough interest will grow that the next tournament will be on one of the TSN feeds. That would be ‘equal outcome’ But I’ll point out that in my community, there’s an active women’s hockey league, and has been for decades. And the participation levels are somewhere around 1/100th of the guys programs. Thankfully our local media choose to broadcast scores and event results.
No offence but if men and women are equal in the sports world why aren’t they playing in the same leagues, just sayin
Imagine thinking the only way to justify gender equality is “pity”
Okay why can’t I be on tv too then? I play hockey I care about it I practice all the time. Ahh yes I remember, because I AM NOT GOOD ENOUGH TO BE ON TV. Read that twice please
This has absolutely nothing to do with gender equality….take a step back and realize this has nothing to do with gender, it is purely business. Do Canadian junior men’s basketball tournaments get televised or junior mens soccer etc? No because the junior men’s hockey isn’t televised because they are men…they are televised because they bring in money. Plain and simple
Joe is a Jimmy!
You are a moron.
Maybe if Canadians were given the option of watching on one of the many sports channels, the networks and advertisers would see an opportunity to expand future viewership. We would watch an Olympic gold medal game – and have! I agree with Ian – we are missing an opportunity to see some exciting hockey by not supporting the women’s teams in the same way. But they will never know unless they try.
TSN 1,2,3,4,5??? Put it on one of the channels. Let the fans decide which game is the one to watch.
Well said Brian………….I watched all the Mens Jr. games, but would’ve also watched the Womens if available! Hopefully next year they will give the Ladies a channel.
Exactly.☆♡☆
While I understand your desire, I think you need to realize that TSN does that Every. Single. Day. As I said in another response, people, not networks, need to voice the desire.
Good call Brian
Jimmy your kind of thinking is why these things keep on happening. “Get off your high horse”… what is that even supposed to mean? It shows that you don’t have daughters, and if you do, you’re probably the type to sit there and tell them: “oh well, money talks and you women are not good enough to be broadcasted in the sports world… unless you are cute and sexy”… because in your eyes, that’s probably what is important to you when it comes to women.
Or…. he’s a realest? I would have loved to watch the Championship game. But I understand why it’s not broadcast. The same reason it so tough to follow my favourite soccer team for years – networks aren’t going to show things that are going to lose them money.
You need to think of how much money would need to be spent to broadcast this and then you need to think if the TV ratings, ad money, etc would be enough to not only cover the network’s expenses – but make money.
You sit here and argue (and insult) people when the reality is networks have dabbled in broadcasting things before and lost money. There’s an unfortunate reason that a network is deciding to show replays of Darts instead of of these games. And it’s not because the networks hate women.
It’s also to acknowledge why women’s sports wouldn’t make money right away, no one has gotten the opportunity to see if they like it or not, or even become a fan and care about a certain teams. You said it yourself, it’s hard to be a fan of a team that isn’t recognized on tv. But think of the long term profit networks could make once that fan base was available! I truly think that if women’s sports had also been accessible to the public, they would generate a great about of money just as men’s sports do.
While that all sounds nice the reality is that it’s not about men sports and woman sports…if you dive deeper into it hockey is the only men’s Sport in Canada that brings in money for the juniors. That’s why you don’t see junior men’s basketball or baseball etc shown on tv either…it’s not that they haven’t tried to develop a woman’s hockey League etc. They’ve tried but failed ..the interest of the general public isn’t there
Womens Olympic hockey has been televised longer than I can remember and I mean no offence but it’s not good enough I’ve tried watching many times but end up changing the channel. Sorry also I wouldn’t watch boys under 18 hockey either other than maybe at the local arena on occasion
Only if they are equal, should they have or get the same treatment. If you are saying the girls game is equal to the Men’s game, wake up. They work hard as you said but still not there. Men’s a world Juniors I or has been on air so ce 1979. May be off by year or two
You are a troll and an idiot jimmy … it is called a loss-leader… u18 men’s make so much money – that u take a little of the profit to be a leader. Promote the women’s u18 — Who watches hockey? Canadians do…but the Majority is men – how many of these men have daughters? Most. Do you think replays of sport center generate more advertising cash than live Canadian national team ??
That is not what a loss leader is. I do believe it should be shown but under different reasoning.
Stop replying to jimmy… he is a faceless coward troll behind a keyboard… jimmy has never played any sports.. he never tried… he lives in his parents basement and hopes you will fall into his Pathetic trap…
Never a good sign in an argument when you attack someone personally to rebut their point, Bill.
Jimmy
You Sad excuse, Women’s U20 Hockey is better than some of the NHL games, You sit behind your keyboard acting like you know what you're talking about. Get out of your Mom's Basement and get a life
Nathan…. there is no women’s U20 games that are better than NHL games.
I will watch all levels of hockey, however you won’t find ANY U20 women’s game at the level of Jr A hockey in Canada.
Please see the link below of the Canada Women’s Olympic team competing against the Fort Saskatchewan Midget AAA team from 2017.
https://youtu.be/eBEct9udWrA
To put this in perspective, the Midget AAA team was the 65th ranked Midget team in Canada.
https://www.myhockeyrankings.com/rank.php?y=2017&a=4&v=158&p=0
I would support the U18 game and would have enjoyed watching it. TSN should have had it on one of their channels instead of showing the same game across 4/5 channels.
But to say the caliber is anywhere near the professional level is downright delusional…..
He didn’t say the players were bigger, faster or stronger. He said the game was better – and he’s right.
you are insane if you think women’s hockey is the caliber of men’s. People pay to watch men’s hockey that is why there is so many leagues all over the world. The women’s league in North American folded last year. Why ? Take a wild guess.
This article is comparing oranges to apples. You can not compare Woman’s U18 to Men’s U20. As much as I agree for equality, at the end of the day it’s a business. Businesses will go where the money is. The Men’s U20 draws not only more revenue, but higher interests. So for everyone supporting this article, maybe y’all should’ve done a better job supporting the CWHL. A prime example of the lack of “business” that woman’s hockey brings as compared to men’s, since the CHL is just fine. Not a knock against women athletes/sports but unfortunately it’s just the world we live in.
Don’t be a Jimmy. Jimmy is a dick.
More than what they would airing a Tetris tournament. Or replaying the game that was just played 🤔
Why not give it 1 channel of opportunity! There are plenty that would watch the game. The it’s got their games aired 2 or 3 x throughout the day, and the girls can’t have 1 time slot on 1 channel! Disgusting, ignorant, and very backward on your part and those channels that won’t recognize the female sport!!
What you don’t understand is that it’s not as easy as just putting it on one of 5 channels they own. It’s sending camera men, and production crew, and broadcasters etc…it’s plane flights and substantial cost to broadcast a game….if you have no funding for it, it’s not gonna happen …I compete at weightlifting but guess what, no one cares to watch it , so guess what .MIT’s not televised and I’m not offended, cause I’m a realist!
I have a mother, wife, 2 daughters. I am a veteran of the Canadian Forces, and a retired member of the RCMP. I have lost friends and have killed to protect Canadians and serve my Country. I have worked with some great women, some more skilled then many men. I play hockey, coach, and officiate. Sure Male hockey is more popular, but not more important. Telling young girls that there gold medal game is not important enough to be on television, is the same as saying don’t be a Doctor, because only male doctors are important. You obviously have no daughters, and if you have a mother and wife, they most be ashamed of your comments. You might be a great person in life, I don’t know, but your comments are selfish and shameful. How would you feel if you were being assaulted and near death and I responded to your call and said, (This guy isn’t rich, lets keep going better people need our help.)You have no idea, or just don’t care about the girls you hurt with you comments. I know it’s a money game, but when the same game is playing on two or three channels to give the girls a chance. I sent emails to TSN, Sports Net, CBC, and Hockey Canada. These girls don’t play for money, they play for pride and there Country. What have you ever done for your flag and Country? Girls keep your heads high, Canada is proud of you, and someday things will be better. Best wishes.
Thank you! I have played hockey for over 40 years and will lace up my skates again tonight. I too, have coached and officiated. In my family, all five of us kids played and I was fortunate our parents knew that girls could play and should play just as the boys do. It was through their example of giving back, with time and not money to others, I chose also to coach knowing that while I was helping develop hockey skills, I was hoping to make a difference in their lives.
i’m really hoping our Canadian junior boys team plays like girls in the final! If they do, they are sure to bring home the Gold! And I will be wearing my Canadian Jersey proudly!!
I would have expected someone with your background to be smarter ..it’s not a men vs. woman issue and it’s not a hockey issue…most men’s sports don’t even get televised, the jr. Men only get televised because the demand is there…it’s a basic supply and demand scenario, the woman are wonderful at hockey its not that they don’t deserve it, it’s simply that it would be a loss of money and television is a business
There are more women and men hockey fans that prefer to watch the guys.That is a fact…can’t argue with it.Womens hockey have to get a bigger part of this audience.That is the issue.When it happens it will mean that folks wish to watch women play and not to watch merely to support women.So instead of being a little whiny figure out ways to improve your game to make it competitive.
ummm – networks televise darts. For all the hype that hockey is Canada’s game, I’d like to think televising good international hockey (regardless of gender) would draw more viewership than darts. I have yet to meet a young athlete who was inspired to become a dart player because they watched it on TV but we all know that thousands of boys watch hockey and dream the dream…girls should be offered the same opportunity.
I don’t agree with you…you’re an idiot and have to see the bigger picture! Supporting our U-18 girls in such a battle…in a “gold metal game” at that…we should have supported them, should have been some network carrying the game…just one would have meant lots to people whom love hockey!! I watched the U-20 boys and was extremely happy with the outcome in the end…would have loved the chance to see the girls!!
very true but everything starts that way doesn’t it by gaining support… so the plea is to support women’s sports especially if you have a daughter. There are so many men out there that are sick of the way women are turning out with the interest in how they look – give them something like this as fathers, and the generation itself will change. The funny thing is, it is good enough to watch during the olympics and the women tend to do better…
Wow – A lot of unintelligent comments from poorly informed people on this trail.
Agreed – Women’s hockey is not played at the same level as men’s, but neither is women’s tennis, mma fighting, golf, curling WNBA basketball or any number of other sports. Yet all of these have captured a very large TV audience and are attracting advertisers. There is no question that Canadian audiences would rather watch the top female players in the country versus unknown men’s juniors from Switzerland or somewhere. Yes – it’s a different game, but it’s the best female junior players in the world (not a bunch of obscure guys that aren’t even in the top 5000) I would much rather watch the best females than a bunch of no-names in the Spengler cup (or whatever that’s called)
This is really about building a brand and Creating a new market and it has been done in many other women’s sports. The sport needs some leadership and expecting TSN to be a leader is unrealistic as they are typically laggards. It is the NHL (along with Hockey Canada and Hockey USA) that needs to recognize that their is an opportunity to grow itsoverall market by growing the female game. The opportunity is to tap into the 50% of the population in Canada and Norther USA that are female. Growing the female game creates new young hockey fans. It is one of the only areas left to grow and attract new fans from (the experiment of trying to grow into the southern US is clearly failing)
Time to wake and recognize that this huge untapped market can be created (probably in a lot less time than We all realize)
On the other hand the tall foreheads (mostly male) at TSN etc. didn’t give anyone the option.
My whole family would have watched this game and more.. YAY WOMENS hockey 👍
Jimmy – maybe if they start broadcasting women’s hockey and back it with as much publicity as they do men’s, you might be surprised. They need to start somewhere and won’t know until they try. Should we have Canadian pride for only men’s hockey?
I tried to click on the link and watch but was told that it’s not offered in my area. Is that because I’m in western Canada, I don’t count? My son wanted to watch. He just started playing hockey and all games are great games to him.
Amen! Thanks for putting into words, what my daughter and I have been thinking over the past week! It’s hard to believe in dreams when we can’t see the wonderful accomplishments of women in her sport. Thanks you to CKSN for endeavouring to cover more female athletics.
I don’t recall if men’s U18 is broadcast on TV… that would be a better comparison than the men’s U20 team.
I agree with the sentiment though – would like to see more women’s hockey on TV, preferably CBC so we can all enjoy it without buying cable feeds.
I’ve seen the U18 here and there in the past, but that was my first thought as well. The U18 and U20 Men’s are comparable on absolutely no scale.
I don’t blame TSN or Sportsnet as they are for profit companies, but CBC, as a public broadcaster, funded by taxpayers, should be ashamed of themselves.
What is the purpose of the CBC if they don’t broadcast a game like this?!?!
Is it possible that TSN owns the broadcast rights for all IIHF? Just a thought.
Finally! Someone comes to their senses! TSN/RDS are the LONE owners of all IIHF/Hockey Canada TV rights. Don’t blame CBC, don’t blame Sportsnet, nor anyone else.
Who wrote this article? This is a joke. Nobody would’ve watched anyways U20 men’s is a far more competitive and entertaining tournament. Nobody really cares about boys u17, why should we care about girls u18?
Mary!! Honestly
You need some serious help!!
You are obviously not a mother of boys or girls, how about you keep your opinions to yourself if this is what you are going to say!
🙌🏻
Over 15000 people just in Canada streamed that game. With 5 TSN channels 5 Sportsnet channels and CBC I’m sure One of them could have not shown another year in review show. They are trying to grow the game, this would have been a step in the right direction.
👏
You are wrong – they should cover ALL athletes doing their best for our country, their sport, their own athletic ability…recognize them for their hard work!
I always find commentary about women’s hockey very interesting… I have a daughter who plays and we watch a lot of hockey at all levels make and female. To ever imply or say women’s hockey is not interesting or not competitive suggests to me a kick of exposure to women’s hockey…. but then when it is not readily available to watch, how can that be changed. There are a lot of girls out there who love the game and a huge potential market as my daughter points out regularly. I hope progress will be made….
This is brutal. You are trying compare two different age groups. The U-18 men’s gets minimal coverage if any same as the U-18 womens. Run a google search next time
Here’s a quick Google search Bob. One of the major men’s U18 tournament is known as the Hlinka Gretzky Cup. The last two years TSN broadcast EVERY SINGLE Canada game at those tournaments, both online and on their network, as well as games from other nations. They also ran pre-tournament preview shows online, on air, and on radio. Oddly enough last year’s Hlinka Gretzky Cup also took place in Slovakia, like this year’s U18 Women’s tournament. So logistics can’t be to blame either. Here’s a link for 2019 – TSN, and 2018 – TSN in case you don’t believe me. Thanks for the suggestion of a quick Google search, that worked wonders!!
Now find tv audience for those Hlinka cup games and compare them to even the senior Women’s team tv audience.
The issue here is money. It’s the same thing as that basketball commercial that shows the best women’s basketball player making peanuts in comparison to journeyman men’s basketball player. It’s all about supply and demand.
I hope that this backlash is backed up next time if TSN or another station broadcasts the game, with a huge tv audience. At the end of the day, if broadcasting the game will make the station enough money, they will broadcast it.
Maybe the answer should come from the networks. Not the Politically Correct one.. The one that the numbers people used to make the decision not to send people and crew to cover these games. The numbers people that decide this is within the budget or can make profit. Can they get advertising revenue to cover this? Someone made the decision to draw a line based on projections. It is not about sentiment.. It is about money and contracts…and it is not the only sporting event that does not get broadcast.
Steven Hodgson for Mayor!
It’s cute how you think that every potential broadcaster would send a crew. You understand about as much about broadcasting as Jimmy does marketing demographics.
Someone on here as ulterior motives for propping up women’s hockey … hmmm! Money talks. Like it or not. If enough people were going to watch, one of the networks would put it on TV cause it would make them $$$.
Spooky! This “ulterior motive” that someone “as” (sp.) must be a crooked reporter trying to advocate for gender parity in sport by highlighting corporate structural gatekeeping in sports journalism to favors male sports coverage
I’m not a hockey fan! But I have been watching the World Juniors. This hockey is exceptional. It’s all about hockey and heart! Would rather watch this then the NHL where there are more fights and dirty plays then good old hockey skills. I’m sure the women’s would have been the same. Too bad the NHL didn’t follow the same rules that these guys do. Would be worth the watch!
Fights and dirty plays? You definitely aren’t a hockey fan. You don’t have a clue what you are talking about.
All the hard work and dedication these ladies and other female leagues put into practice,games and tournaments and they get no recognition. It is so sad. It’s like this on all levels for our female players.
My Niece Played for Team Canada.. I would have been trilled to watch the game on TV instead of live streaming it on my computer with no commentary, it sucked. For the Record.. When she played on Team Ontario back in November for the Canada Tournament in Winnipeg the Gold medal game was broadcasted on TSN.. On all TSN channels yesterday while our girls were playing USA for Gold, they were showing a semi-final game between sweden and Czech republic.. ???? Its time to start showing more of our women teams..
Like I posted above… it’s about money, unfortunately.
* TSN already had a broadcast crew for the Sweden/Czech game because they were already there for Canadian games.
* I posted some ratings above, but Switzerland/Russia drew over 1 million viewers in 2010. In 2015, Russia/Sweden drew almost 1.5 million viewers.
Like it or not.. TV stations are about money to stay afloat. They can’t just lose money. Maybe everyone should make a GoFundMe or something to get this game broadcast next time to prove that there’s an audience. A little unreasonable, but when a network is showing dart replays over games — that tells the story.
Are you telling me that more people tune into watching a dart tournament overseas then who would watch a U18 Team Canada medal game? Come on!
We constantly see commercials for growing the women’s game during NHL games. One of these companies running these commercials could easily sponsor this. People aren’t asking for major coverage just show a couple important games.
Unfortunately, the bottom line of showing replays darts exceeds the projection the station had of showing a game like this. Hopefully there is enough of a stink online that a network will take a chance the next time there is a tournament… and then it’s up to us to show there is a bigger audience then they project.
Well stated!
Loved watching Women’s Hockey every year watched Usually Canadians against USA in the Gold Medal Round but excellent hockey!! The ladies practice and work out for months training for the worlds. It may be all about money and sponsors but this is 2020 people. Money should not be an option and not covering this by the Media shame on you all. This is like because your a woman does not matter how good you are or what job you gave up to get their: It really doesn’t matter. How can you get Good Sponsors when they will not televise the game. This is Brutal !! Something should be done about this. I know the police force in Edmonton let Meghan Agosta out of work to train and work to prepare for the worlds. They are their competing for their country CANADA!!
Hahahahahaha money should not be an option?? Throw your own money towards a broadcasting company and pay for it yourself then. This entire world is about companies making money, and broadcasting this would lose them a whole whack of money. TSN plays commercials for equality commercials from companies like Secret. Why don’t you take your issues to these kinds of companies and have them put up the money for it and see where that gets you.
Exactly but trying to explain that to these people is like trying to bath a cat
I’ve been a hockey fan for almost 50 years and every level has its own entertaining and valuable qualities. It would be interesting to know what the viewership of the early World Junior tournaments were. They had to start somewhere. I went to the women’s World Championships in Kamloops in 2016 and the hockey was Awesome. What’s even more amazing is how much the players have improved in just 4 years. I’m going to Halifax in April to watch them again. I also watched the U18 women’s Gold medal game as I was lucky enough to find a stream. If I had the opportunity to watch our women play, l would. I organized 42 women and we’re going to watch one of the Canada vs USA women’s Gap tour games in Victoria. We have to work hard to get the opportunity to see the women play. It’s going to take time and effort and that’s ok. We’re going to get there.
Shelley I tip my hat. You put your money where your mouth is and are supporting with your dollars. If more women did this, you might have a viable league and get the air time you are looking for.
The problem is scheduling. The CFL doesn’t play on Sundays and compete with the NFL… the Memorial Cup doesn’t try to go head-to-head with the Stanley Cup finals. The WNBA plays most of its season during the NBA’s off-season. So, why would the IIHF schedule the women’s championship in the middle of the WJC?
It should be the women’s U20 and its championship game should take place the night before the WJC starts or after it ends. Schedule the women’s tournament where it isn’t competing with other big hockey events and let it showcase itself.
Might be time to boycott men’s hockey and give the women some of the attention and respect they deserve. The women always play with their hearts and it shows if you’ve ever watched a game.
Yet TSN can put darts played in England on TV.
Amazing view point on this, and they’re so very right, however I have to point out that they shouldn’t have used “Women’s game” and “boys game” in the same sentence that way.
I feel there’s a sentiment that streaming a game today is free. But that’s not the case. Especially with content that doesn’t see high ad revenue. I’d like to see someone from Tsn or Rds publish numbers on the varying degrees of broadcasting “costs” and what the consumer gets with each option. Costs regardless of audience size.
I love woman’s hockey!!!
My daughter plays and I love watching her, however I’m not blinding her and myself to know that if she or my son want to play in the most talented leagues at the highest level of quality hockey, they both must be playing against the “best” talent of hockey available!
Fans also want to watch the best talent out there for their money.
The best also generates the most fans and money. So my suggestion, be the best talent and dont ask for a free ride. You dont accomplish anything for free. Life isn’t about handouts.
Gender neutral post.
I bet Jimmy LOVED the me-too movement 😉 . Women’s tennis has more viewers than men’s. So does soccer (north america). This didn’t happen overnight, and at some point some Jimmy in some dumb-ass network was probably putting forward the same tired old argument. The thing is, more than half of the population is female. You don’t have to be a smart marketing exec to figure out that someone is missing the ferry to the island. Speaking of Islands, let’s vote all the Jimmys of the world off the island.
I bet Jimmy LOVED the me-too movement 😉 . Women’s tennis has more viewers than men’s. So does soccer (north america). This didn’t happen overnight, and at some point some Jimmy in some dumb-ass network was probably putting forward the same tired old argument. The thing is, more than half of the population is female. You don’t have to be a smart marketing exec to figure out that someone is missing the ferry to the island of opportunity. Speaking of Islands, let’s vote all the Jimmys of the world off the island and get some new ideas flowing.
They have more viewers because the women are in shape, good looking and are showing skin, so being dishonest with yourself it’s men watching those sports and men like sexy females
There are sports where the public will watch women play with as much interest as the men’s game, but that is not the norm and hockey is definitely not one of them. The only equality is viewership. If it were financially beneficial to broadcast the women’s U18 and U20 games, TSN would do it in a heart beat.
One thing that seems to be a factor, is if the women play under the same rules as the men. Women’s combat sports (wrestling, jiu-jitsu, MMA, Judo, etc) appear to have strong enough viewership to be presented right alongside the men’s, often on the same broadcast. Women have even been the main event on pay-per-views for some of those sports. In those sports, the rules are identical for women and men. In hockey though, women play with minimal contact, and no outright body checking. People would not pay to see men play that game either!
Since there seems to be a trend in all team sports to reduce hard contact, the women are ahead of their time. I think the men’s game is being dictated by the officials to the point of being maddening. The opponents of hitting are now winning the war and the game has changed so far to the left that hitting should just be banned. The women’s game is amazingly competitive hockey that most Canadians would get behind, I have.
Good for you Steve. Hockey without contact is called shinny. You don’t know the game and shouldn’t be blathering about topics that are over your head.
If it had been on TV, we would have watched the Canadian girls. We would have cheered and felt proud of their accomplishments. Simple as that.
Yes all 100 of you.
A lot of liberals in here. Here’s a sad truth, the world isn’t fair, everyone isn’t created equal and no one wants to watch pee wee level hockey for the sake of equality. The u20 bronze game was 100x more entertaining than u18 girls. Women’s hockey isn’t profitable period, it’s a business decision so stop using so much emotion it clouds reason.
If people were able to stream it, then that company should have reached out to a TV station to have them put it on. Doesn’t have to be high quality with a whole crew and NHL version. And why does it have to be TSN? CBC? Women’s should’ve been Televised, Hockey Canada dropped the puck on this one. Make Hockey Great Again.
When the world juniors was first aired on tsn, it didn’t have the following it does now. With promotion and continueing to grow and air more games, more and more people watched it. Have to start by making the right decision. Hockey is hockey, women’s games are just as exciting, espeicially team canada, do the right thing and start airing the games.
No Bryan, hockey is not hockey. If you think that then you have obviously never played. Women’s hockey is no contact…that is a huge part of the game.
Where was the U18 Boys fastball team Gold news in this Country on Nov 9th 2019? It is not Women vs Men. We do not have national pride.
Also the World Juniors for Boys is U20 which is a level above U18.
Women vs Men
A TV station has to make money and if people do not watch the game then obviously it will not make it on.
But a Gold Medal team or any medal team should make national headlines?
All Local papers where one of these players are from should write about each person.
Sadly most people that end up in your local papers are from submissions from their own family we do not have true journalists.
But the CBC is getting an increase to funding but will rarely report on our National Teams in any sport or division.
This spring Halifax will host the Women’s World Cup of hockey
they sold out every game a few years back when they host the Men’s IIHF World Championship. Ticket’s were 3 times the price of the Ladies games and all sold out. I bet that the Women’s tournament will have maybe 2 games sell out and they will give away 100’s if not thousands of tickets. I think the ladies games can be fun to watch but the best female hockey players in the world are on par with a AA 15 year old boy. This is evident when team Canada play Double A Midget teams throughout Ontario and has a 500 record. For those who do not know hockey the Double A is the third best team that most 15 year old boys can play on. So although entertaining the Ladies hockey is not at a high level. And remember the best female players are equivalent to tier 3 fifteen year old boys (the American and Canadian teams0. The other teams are as good as peewee players and would be easily beaten in any Peewee tournament in Canada.
I have limited time to watch any sports. When I do watch, I want to spend my time and money on the best. Women’s pro hockey is best AAA Midget level men’s hockey. I will not go watch AAA Midget hockey so why would I watch women’s hockey? The women work hard, are skilled, but will get air time only when it makes sense financially. Olympics? Yes…it is for the country and everyone is watching under the guise of patriotism. People watch luge, and cross country skiing during the Olympics…has nothing to do with gender or sport. If women want so badly to get equal air time, then they need to reach into their pockets and provide funding. Plain and simple. It is a market of supply and demand…no demand=no funding. To say that a woman doctor is the same as a woman hockey player is a false equivalence. Women doctors are probably better than men…the nurturing factor is a big part of being a successful doctor, something a lot of men don’t get, but we are not talking about watching that doctor on tv as entertainment.
Everyone wants their voice to be heard but calling each other idiots doesn’t help.
You lost me after the 4th Jimmy is an idiot.
This is a business decision. These people are smart people. They will have reviewed carefully to anticipate the revenue associated with the decision. The numbers will not have worked. They would love if the numbers worked, because they would be able to make money. The people in charge and making the decisions are playing with real money. Bad decisions = FIRED.
I also agree . . . A Missed Opportunity to showcase Women’s Hockey at a time when it is could be seen as a very meaningful alternative . . . Canada vs USA also ? A no-brainer . . . I would have watched it !
As a girl who’s still playing minor hockey for fun I would love to see more recognition for the girls who are playing at a higher level. Even in the lower levels the boys are getting the spotlight, they are getting more ice times and now my team has to travel 45 min to get to our weekly practice on a Tuesday night at 8:45pm which isn’t even in the city that we all live in. Please give girls the light they deserve