How the Vancouver Canucks and the Ottawa Senators could cripple the CBC

We’d bet no one—not even these guys—is watching the Stanley Cup playoffs more closely than CBC execs. Already contending with a $115-million cut to funding, the broadcaster could lose out on millions more if the Vancouver Canucks and the Ottawa Senators (the only two Canadian teams remaining in the playoffs) are eliminated, according to the Globe and Mail. See, CBC only sold ad time during the first-round playoff episodes of Hockey Night in Canada, hoping that, as the tournament progressed and hockey mania surged, the value of slots in later rounds would grow. (By contrast, TSN owner Bell Media went the safe route and sold all its playoff advertising upfront.) The problem with CBC’s plan is that viewership may not grow—both Canadian teams, as well as the fan favourite Pittsburgh Penguins, are in danger of elimination. And would Canadians really get excited about a Florida versus Phoenix matchup? [Globe and Mail]