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76-493: Rick Jeanneret was the network's primary play-by-play voice and served in that capacity from 1971 to 2022, Dan Dunleavy has taken his place since then, with Rob Ray currently serving as color commentator. In the 2008–2009 season, former Winnipeg Jets / Phoenix Coyotes broadcaster Curt Keilback covered for Jeanneret during the team's western road trip. In the 2009–2010 season, the Sabres did not send their television broadcast crew on

152-535: A virtual multichannel video programming distributor service through its DirecTV Stream brand. Its primary competitors are Dish Network , traditional cable television providers, IP-based television services , and other over-the-top video services. On July 24, 2015, after receiving approval from the Federal Communications Commission and the Department of Justice , AT&T acquired DirecTV in

228-474: A lawsuit against DIRECTV for deceptive advertising. The FTC claimed that DIRECTV failed to properly disclose terms of its TV packages, such as contractual obligations and premiums. On December 2, 2015, DirecTV adopted a new logo, replacing its previous emblem (which was retired upon its acquisition by AT&T, leaving only the wordmark, which sometimes appeared with an AT&T byline) with that of AT&T. In February 2016, Bloomberg reported that AT&T

304-834: A motion for a preliminary injunction was filed to block the company from automatically removing the fees from customers' bank accounts or charging their credit card accounts without their prior knowledge and written consent. In 2009, the Washington Attorney General's office filed a civil complaint against DirecTV, finding that the company allegedly engaged in numerous repeated violations of the state's Consumer Protection Act. Violations included: unclear rebate terms and conditions, unfair advertisement, and automatically extending customer contracts. On May 4, 2009, Liberty announced that it would split off Liberty Entertainment, Inc., and Liberty's 65% interest in Game Show Network , into

380-595: A multi-year sponsorship agreement with DirecTV. DirecTV became the exclusive provider of NFL Sunday Ticket across Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands in September 2023. DirecTV is sponsoring the US Baseball Team in the 2023 World Baseball Classic . As of February 2020 , DirecTV manages a fleet of 12 satellites in geostationary orbit at positions ranging from 95°W to 119°W , ensuring strong coverage of

456-465: A private consortium led by Kohlberg Kravis Roberts for $ 3.53 billion. On April 22, 2005, DirecTV spun off Hughes Network Systems into a separate entity and sold 50% of the new entity to SkyTerra , acquiring $ 157.4 million in the transaction. In January 2006, DirecTV sold its remaining 50% share in Hughes Network Systems to SkyTerra for $ 100 million. In 2004, DIRECTV exited

532-490: A separate company to be merged with The DirecTV Group. The merger was completed on November 19, 2009, with The DirecTV Group and Liberty Entertainment becoming subsidiaries of a new company named DirecTV. On June 16, 2010, Malone exchanged his preferred stock in DirecTV with equivalent amounts of common stock , with Malone ending his managerial role at DirecTV. On February 9, 2010, DirecTV dropped Sirius XM Radio and replaced

608-472: A separate entity, selling a 30% stake to TPG Inc. , while retaining a 70% stake in the new standalone company. The deal closed on August 2, 2021. DirecTV Stream, which offers Live TV and On Demand content, launched in August 2021. Soon after, DirecTV's “Get Your TV Together” ad campaign launched, which featured Serena Williams and cast members of The Real Housewives alongside NFL players. In January 2022,

684-728: A solid commitment to how many games he would call in that season. Most indications were that Jeanneret would call 55 to 65 games for the 2013–14 season. Jeanneret announced his intent to slowly phase out of the Sabres play-by-play job over the course of three years. By then, Dan Dunleavy had been chosen as Jeanneret's successor and slowly took over play-by-play duties, first as the substitute, then permanently starting in 2022. Jeanneret called 47 games in 2014–15 and called 41 games in 2015–16; as of 2014, he still intended on retiring in 2016 but did not entirely rule out changing his mind. Indeed, Jeanneret would sign an agreement to call another half-season of games in 2016–17. On July 1, 2014, Jeanneret

760-820: A stepdaughter, Shelly. His son, Mark Jeanneret, is the events coordinator for the Erie Sports Commission in Erie, Pennsylvania, where he used to be the play-by-play announcer for the Erie Otters of the OHL. He also substituted for Rick as an announcer for the Buffalo Sabres games against the Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers on December 27 and 28, 2010. Chris teaches Radio Broadcasting at Niagara College in Welland, Ontario . Shelly

836-677: A team collapse the way the Sabres had that year. He eventually decided to return. In April 2020, in an interview with the Buffalo News , Jeanneret noted he would likely retire following the 2020–21 season, marking his 50th anniversary with the Sabres franchise. Jeanneret, who called 20 games that season, was set to have his contract expire during the 2021 offseason at the same time as Rob Ray and Dan Dunleavy's; while Sabres spokesman Scott Preisler stated that they intended to bring Ray and Dunleavy back, he made no such commitment to Jeanneret; negotiations for any potential return would not begin until after

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912-568: A transaction valued at $ 67.1 billion. As of the end of Q1 2021, AT&T had 15.9 million pay-TV customers, including DirecTV, U-Verse, and DirecTV Stream subscribers. On February 25, 2021, AT&T announced that it would spin-off DirecTV, U-Verse TV, and DirecTV Stream into a separate entity, selling a 30% stake to TPG Inc. , while retaining a 70% stake in the new standalone company. The deal closed on August 2, 2021. On September 30, 2024, AT&T announced that they would sell their remaining 70% stake to TPG Inc. for $ 7.6 billion. Once

988-409: A two-year deal with Action Adventure Network to offer original series and telefilms for pay-per-view viewing, for $ 2.99 with the intent to expand. In December 1998, DirecTV acquired USSB for $ 1.3 billion, and combined the two satellite services. In 1999, DirecTV acquired PrimeStar , a competitor in the satellite television industry, for $ 1.83 billion, dramatically increasing its share of

1064-606: A years-long continuing carriage dispute between the Dish and MSG Networks . The practice of syndicating games to a local broadcast station has happened only once since MSG took over the broadcast contract: WGRZ and WHEC-TV were given rights to simulcast MSG's coverage of the February 11, 2012 game between the Sabres and the Tampa Bay Lightning , as a one-time goodwill gesture in the ongoing dispute between Time Warner Cable and MSG;

1140-480: Is a wedding, portrait and event photographer in Niagara Falls. Jeanneret died on August 17, 2023, from multiple organ failure , which his family stated had begun in 2021 during his final season with the team. He was 81. On April 9, 2001, as part of a promotion on radio station WNSA (at the time the Sabres' flagship station), Jeanneret called a fictional game known as the "Sabres Showdown." The fictional matchup

1216-538: Is hosted by WGR personality Brian Koziol. Mike Schopp and Chris "Bulldog" Parker host the pre-game show, which airs only on WGR. On television, a pregame show and postgame show are broadcast, and hosted by Brian Duff and Martin Biron . (Prior to 2005, the television pregame-postgame shows were simulcast on radio. The postgame was known as Hockey Hotline and hosted by Mike Robitaille , first with host Brian Blessing and then Josh Mora.) The theme song for broadcasts has been

1292-772: Is known as DirecTV for Business . Yahoo expanded its partnership with DirecTV advertising to include set-top box data in October 2022. In June 2023, Southwest Airlines and DirecTV partnered together to support RMHC by providing meals for families staying at the Ronald McDonald House in Dallas , Texas. The same month, DirecTV announced a multi-year renewal of its affiliation agreement with NFL Media that will extend its existing carriage of NFL Network on DirecTV and will add distribution via DirecTV Stream and U-verse. In August 2023, Big Ten Network and Big Ten Conference announced

1368-841: The 2008–09 NHL season . It was further extended in 2008 through the 2009–10 season. He was back for the 2010–11 season along with Neale. During these seasons, Jeanneret did not broadcast games while the Sabres had west coast road trips and a home game against the Boston Bruins . This most recently was from December 27, 2010, through January 8, 2011. He was also off when the Sabres played the Ottawa Senators in Ottawa on January 25, 2011. During Jeanneret's vacation, his son Mark and Kevin Sylvester filled in on play-by-play. The idea for Jeanneret to take time off during west-coast road games during these seasons

1444-509: The Anaheim Ducks , Jeanneret suffered an acute medical emergency and abruptly cut out of the broadcast, leaving color commentator Rob Ray and on-site studio host Brian Duff to call play-by-play for the remainder of the game. Almost immediately, fans watching the broadcast or listening to the game took to the Sabres' Twitter page, expressing worry and concern for Jeanneret and asking for updates. Buffalo News sports commentator Mike Harrington

1520-738: The Chicago Blackhawks . Jeanneret was a Canadian citizen of Swiss descent. He was born on July 23, 1942, in St. Catharines, Ontario , and raised in Terrace Bay, Ontario . He was known for his energetic delivery (especially during big plays and fights), colorful player nicknames, passionate goal calls, and his trademark suspenders worn on air and uncanny resemblance to late comedian Rodney Dangerfield . Jeanneret resided in Niagara Falls, Ontario , with his wife, Sandra. He had two sons, Mark and Chris, and

1596-770: The Hispanic Federation , Kids in the Spotlight, the Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment Commission, and the Plus Me Project. Yahoo and DirecTV announced an advertising deal in June 2022; under this partnership, Yahoo's omnichannel demand-side platform provided advertisers access to DirecTV's programmatic inventory on linear addressable and connected TV platforms while DirecTV gained access to Yahoo's supply-side platform , making its streaming inventory available across

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1672-518: The Sabres Hockey Network for 51 years. Having started with the team on radio during the team's second season in 1971–72 , and ending his career after the 2021–22 season, he was the longest-tenured play-by-play announcer with a single team in NHL history. He moved to television during the 1995–96 season and began doubling both television and radio play-by-play duties during the 1997–98 season. He

1748-598: The Trinity Broadcasting Network from its current channel lineup plus request additional proposals from other programmers. DirecTV had given PBS Kids , PBS's original application, carriage that did not count against the set aside six weeks before the deadline. DirecTV selected an additional six channels; Clara+Vision, Inspirational Life , NASA TV , PBS YOU , StarNet and WorldLink TV , for the mandate. The USSB and DirecTV programming services were launched on June 17, 1994. On November 11, 1997, DirecTV signed

1824-476: The " Sabre Dance " by Aram Khachaturian since the team's debut. From the 2006 Stanley Cup Playoffs through the 2009–10 season, the team used for its main theme an instrumental cut of "Hurricane 2000," an orchestral arrangement of the song " Rock You Like a Hurricane " recorded by Scorpions and the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra on the album Moment of Glory . From the 1990s through 2006

1900-400: The 1974–75 team so as to make it seem as if they were actually playing the game. (For instance, color commentator Jim Lorentz was replaced by Mike Robitaille , who played for the Sabres in 1974–75 but had been traded before the playoffs, and WNSA hosts filled in other positions.) The 1975 team won the game thanks to Gilbert Perreault 's game-winning shootout goal. In all actuality, many of

1976-542: The Bulldog to WROC in Rochester. The Rochester situation is unique in that a different station carries regular season games than in the postseason. This is because WROC has a much weaker AM signal, and the network switched to FM station WBZA to maximize coverage during the postseason. In 2008, with Entercom's purchase of WCMF , Sabres games moved to that station instead. Since 1997, the radio play-by-play has been simulcast on

2052-514: The CD, which was titled Roll the Highlight Film , went to charity. It was followed up in 2006 with Top Shelf (named after his signature call, "Top Shelf, where momma hides the cookies!"), a similarly themed DVD . Each year from the 2004–05 NHL lockout onward, Jeanneret reupped with the Sabres on short-term deals out of concern for his age and health. Jeanneret's contract was extended in 2007 through

2128-593: The Dish brand for the foreseeable future, and the company does not currently have plans to make changes to existing Dish operations. EchoStar and DirecTV expect the deal to close in the fourth quarter of 2025, contingent on regulatory approval and bondholders writing off nearly $ 1.6 billion in Dish-related debt. In November, DirecTV abandoned the deal due to opposition from its bondholders. Since 2022, DIRECTV has partnered with Ronald McDonald House Charities and its network of local chapters. DirecTV has also partnered with

2204-606: The District of Columbia for $ 13.25 million. In July 2012, DirecTV had a major contract dispute with Viacom , leading to channels such as Nickelodeon , MTV and Comedy Central to be taken off the air temporarily In their place, a message appeared on screen reading as follows: "Viacom, the owner of this channel, forced DirecTV to suspend it despite our many requests to keep it on. We are working to bring it back as soon as possible without an unfair increase to your bill. Disruptions like this are brief. Go to DirecTVPromise.com for

2280-597: The Hall's committee considered the closest modern equivalent to bare-knuckle boxing. DirecTV DirecTV, LLC is an American multichannel video programming distributor based in El Segundo, California . Originally launched on June 17, 1994, its primary service is a digital satellite service serving the United States. It also provides traditional linear television service delivered by IP through its U-verse TV brand and

2356-431: The Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment Commission announced that DirecTV would serve as Presenting Sponsor of The Chairman's Party , a Super Bowl after-party inside SoFi Stadium . DirecTV completed its national rollout of local PBS member stations in February 2022. Nearly 250 local PBS stations in 198 Nielsen DMAs were added that reach 99% of all U.S. TV homes. In February 2023, DirecTV presented and sponsored

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2432-577: The Mexican market, even though it maintained 41% ownership of SKY México . On November 15, 2005, DirecTV stopped carrying Music Choice audio-only channels, replacing it with 73 channels of XM Satellite Radio . In 2007, DIRECTV exited the Brazilian market, with the customers being migrated to the 74% DirecTV-owned Brazilian affiliate of SKY Brasil . On November 1, 2005, DirecTV made its foray with its first original series, CD US, on Freeview. In December 2005,

2508-665: The National Hockey League. The other 12 games air only on the radio network, including all games broadcast on the league's national outlets. In New York City and the surrounding areas, Sabres games against the New York Rangers , New York Islanders or New Jersey Devils (other hockey teams to which MSG owns TV rights) have usually carried the Sabres Hockey Network feed on the SAP of MSG or MSG Plus . The Sabres also have

2584-449: The Sabres after Dave Hodge , the play-by-play man for the team's first season, had unexpectedly won Hockey Night in Canada duties over the frontrunner for the position, future Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek . In an era before regional sports networks when most hockey games were untelevised, Jeanneret and Ted Darling often worked as a tandem and became very close personal friends. Over

2660-633: The Sabres announced that Jeanneret would be given the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award and thus be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame . He was inducted on November 12, 2012. Jeanneret was inducted into the Buffalo Broadcasting Hall of Fame on September 20, 2012. The Bare Knuckle Boxing Hall of Fame inducted Jeanneret as an 'honorary inductee' on July 7, 2018, on the grounds of his calling blow-by-blow on in-game fights , which

2736-486: The Sabres control all television broadcasts of their games. ** = Audacy operates pursuant to a local marketing agreement with Martz Communications Group . Rick Jeanneret John Richard Jeanneret (July 23, 1942 – August 17, 2023) was a Canadian television and radio personality best known as the play-by-play announcer for the National Hockey League's Buffalo Sabres and its broadcast network,

2812-600: The Sabres were both under the control of John Rigas from 1996 until Rigas's arrest in 2003. Prior to the launch of the Empire Sports Network, Sabres telecasts were managed under the brand Niagara Frontier Sports Network and syndicated to local television stations. NFSN briefly owned the station now known as WNYO-TV in the late 1980s but sold off that station after a short time after it became clear that scrambled subscription over-the-air television (a proposition that NFSN had planned on being its primary business model)

2888-531: The Sabres. "I had enough of two jobs. I finished the game, came home and had to be up by 4 a.m.," he said. Jeanneret helped close the Aud on the final night of the regular season in 1996 with an emotional tribute to his colleague Ted Darling, who was the voice of the Sabres from 1970 until the worsening effects from Pick's Disease forced him to retire in the midst of the 1991–92 season . "I wish that standing next to me right now would be Ted Darling," said Jeanneret from

2964-710: The U.S. Federal Trade Commission imposed a $ 5.3 million penalty on DirecTV for its violations of federal telemarketing regulations. It was the largest civil penalty the FTC had ever announced in a case enforcing any consumer protection law. In December 2006, News Corporation announced its intention to transfer its 38.5% controlling interest in The DirecTV Group, four regional Fox Sports Net stations, and $ 550 million cash to Liberty Media in exchange for Liberty's 19% interest in News Corp. The deal, valued at $ 11 billion,

3040-454: The United States after four decades of work in the country. On November 7, 2014, Jeanneret announced that following a CAT scan he was clear of cancer. He returned to broadcasting Sabres games eight days later on Saturday, November 15, calling the first period of the game against the Maple Leafs. In April 2018, Jeanneret said that he was leaning toward returning for the 2018–19 season, but he

3116-522: The Yahoo Exchange. In August 2022, DIRECTV and Amazon Prime announced a multi-year agreement for airing NFL Thursday Night Football games in over 300,000 venues. Amazon Prime holds exclusive rights to TNF games for 12 seasons beginning in 2022. DirecTV is also the national provider of MLS Season Pass, a new subscription service from Apple and Major League Soccer , to commercial establishments such as bars, lounges and restaurants. The offering

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3192-572: The capabilities to broadcast preseason home games on the team's Web site. MSG Western New York is carried on DirecTV , channel 635-1. The network is also available on Charter Spectrum , the predominant cable provider in New York State. The channel is available on Verizon FiOS , with high-definition feeds only arriving in late 2011 after a protracted legal dispute in which MSG refused to provide Verizon with an HD feed. The channel and therefore most Sabres games are not available on Dish Network due to

3268-471: The channel lineup with Sonic Tap audio stations. On April 1, 2011, DirecTV announced it would be renaming its three Bally Sports channels as Root Sports , though the channels were still affiliated with Bally Sports . The case brought by Washington state was settled in December 2010, with DirecTV agreeing to pay over $ 1 million. DirecTV subsequently settled a similar suit with the other 49 states and

3344-473: The company was “lower than anyone else pays us in the industry.” The channels were only down for a few days, as contract negotiations were quickly settled after the channels were removed. In June 2013, DirecTV purchased Pennsylvania-based LifeShield, a maker of wireless home security systems , with plans to market the systems to its customers. On May 18, 2014, AT&T announced that it would purchase DirecTV for approximately $ 67.1 billion. The acquisition

3420-727: The company, for $ 6.6 billion, subject to SEC approval. The FCC voted 3–2 along party lines on December 19, 2003, to approve the deal subject to conditions, forcing News Corp. to agree to arbitration for all disputes with carriers of its media broadcasters, and to provide content through DirecTV neutrally rather than favoring its own networks. On January 31, 2005, Hughes announced its intent to focus solely on its satellite television operations and divest its other interests, renaming itself The DirecTV Group, Inc. on March 16, 2005, and changing its ticker symbol from "HS" to "DTV". In April of that year, it sold its controlling interest in PanAmSat to

3496-496: The ice surface in a postgame ceremony. He closed out with, "See you in September, one block in that direction," pointing toward the new arena, then dubbed the Crossroads Arena and now called KeyBank Center . Jeanneret consistently declined to accept the title of "voice of the Buffalo Sabres" out of deference to Darling. In 2005, Jeanneret and the Sabres released a CD that collected some of his most memorable calls. Proceeds from

3572-539: The latest info." DirecTV executive Derek Chang said in a statement to the media “We have been very willing to get a deal done, but Viacom is pushing DirecTV customers to pay more than a 30 percent increase, which equates to an extra $ 1 billion..." He then said that he couldn’t accept Viacom’s “extravagant financial demands.” Denise Denson, Viacom’s Executive Vice President of Content Distribution and Marketing, responded by mentioning how DirecTV refused to speak with Viacom past 11 a.m. Tuesday, saying that DirecTV’s last offer to

3648-631: The members of the 1974–75 squad are still together, working for the Sabres organization and playing occasionally for the Buffalo Sabres Alumni Hockey Team . Jeanneret, along with former Sabre Dale Hawerchuk were inducted into the Buffalo Sabres Hall of Fame on November 8, 2011. On June 6, 2012, the Sabres announced that Jeanneret would be inducted into the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame. On June 8, 2012,

3724-477: The play-by-play of a Niagara Falls Flyers Junior A hockey game for the regular announcer, Edd Felstead, who had become sick. Jeanneret became the color analyst the following season before assuming full-time play by play radio duties in 1965. During the 1960s and early 1970s, Rick did several radio advertisements for local Niagara Falls hardware store Buildall. Jeanneret also called Buffalo Bisons (AHL) road games in 1969–70. In 1971, Jeanneret began working for

3800-553: The satellite television market in the US. In 2000, DirecTV introduced the first live in-flight television service for airlines; the system was first used by JetBlue and defunct startup carrier Legend Airlines . On April 9, 2003, News Corporation, the then-parent company of 20th Century Fox (now known as 20th Century Studios ) and Fox Television Studios , agreed to purchase a 34% controlling interest in Hughes , including GM's entire share of

3876-409: The season ended. On August 20, 2021, Jeanneret announced he would retire following the 2021–22 season, during which he would call a total of 20 home games. He stated that he was unwilling to retire from the team during a season in which there were no fans in attendance , even if the 50-year mark had been a logical milestone. Jeanneret called his final game on April 29, 2022, a 3–2 overtime win over

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3952-458: The station's cable partner ( Empire Sports Network from 1997 to 2004, and MSG Network / MSG Western New York from 2005 to the present). Prior to this, Ted Darling was the team's television play-by-play voice, though he was forced to retire due to Pick's disease in 1991. John Gurtler did TV play-by-play from 1991 to 1995, and Rick Jeanneret took over those duties from that point, adding radio simulcasts in 1997. Unlike most shows on MSG Network ,

4028-494: The team used a custom-made theme. Beginning shortly after Terry Pegula 's acquisition of the team, the song was changed back to "Sabre Dance." For the 2011–12 season, a hard-rock version of "Sabre Dance" rotates with MSG Network 's standard hockey theme as the theme for the Sabres Hockey Network broadcasts. The Sabres Hockey Network has produced Sabres games since the team's days on the Empire Sports Network ; Empire and

4104-404: The team, and the decision may have been influenced by the labor dispute that shortened the length of the season. Furthermore, Jeanneret missed the first four games of the season due to illness; he ended up calling 44 games for the Sabres in the shortened 2013 season. Jeanneret confirmed he would return for the 2013–14 season (he had signed a two-year contract the previous year), but did not make

4180-432: The third annual American Cornhole League (ACL) Pro Shootout Series, where Tyler Lockett represented DirecTV. In April 2023, DirecTV launched a brand campaign, “Overly Direct Spokesperson,” that stars Brian Cox ; this is part of its new brand strategy platform, “Entertainment Without Compromise”. On September 30, 2024, AT&T announced that they would sell their remaining 70% stake to TPG Inc. for $ 7.6 billion. Once

4256-476: The transaction is completed, TPG Inc. will have 100% ownership of DirecTV, splitting the company off from AT&T for the first time since 2015. AT&T and TPG Inc. expect the sale to close in the second half of 2025. In 1953, Howard Hughes created the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI), to which he transferred full ownership of Hughes Aircraft . Following Hughes' death in 1976, HHMI

4332-483: The transaction is completed, TPG Inc. will have 100% ownership of DirecTV, splitting the company off from AT&T for the first time since 2015. AT&T and TPG Inc. expect the sale to close in the second quarter of 2025. On September 30, 2024, DirecTV announced that it would acquire rival Dish Network from EchoStar in a debt exchange transaction that includes a payment of $ 1 and the assumption of approximately $ 9.8 billion in debt. DirecTV stated its intent to support

4408-502: The two sides had an approximately 1 1 ⁄ 2 -month contract dispute that left games unavailable on cable for most of the state. Games carried by TNT, TBS , ESPN, ABC , and CBC Television are not produced by the Sabres, and these television broadcasts are not considered to be part of the Sabres Hockey Network. The network produces "radio only" broadcasts for its terrestrial affiliates when an ABC game airs. Current: Past: The Sabres radio network also simulcasts Schopp and

4484-509: The western road trip and used the local broadcasts of the Phoenix Coyotes, Anaheim Ducks , Los Angeles Kings and Vancouver Canucks as the "home" broadcast. Jeanneret and then color commentator Harry Neale had reduced duties for 2011–2012, with the duo only handling home games and a third of the road games; Kevin Sylvester and Danny Gare handled the broadcasts of the remaining games that season. The radio network's postgame show

4560-404: The years, he was partnered with a series of color commentators, including Jim Lorentz (his longest-running partner), personal friend Harry Neale , and Rob Ray . From 1984 until 1992, he did the Sabres' play-by-play in addition to being a popular early-morning disc jockey at the now-defunct CJRN-AM in Niagara Falls, Ontario . In 1992, he chose to retire from CJRN and concentrate solely on

4636-578: Was a leading proponent for the development of direct-broadcast satellite service in the United States. HHMI and other companies believed in the early 1990s that technology would soon make digital satellite television affordable. HHMI created DirecTV as a separate division and secured an agreement with USSB to build and launch the first high-power direct-broadcast satellite system. Direct satellite broadcasters were mandated in 1992 to set aside 4% of its channel space for noncommercial educational and informational programming. DirecTV selected C-SPAN , EWTN and

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4712-552: Was approved by News Corp. shareholders. On January 9, 2007, DirecTV announced it would introduce up to 100 national HD channels during 2007, all of which would be MPEG-4 encoded. On December 13, 2007, DirecTV purchased most of the assets of ReplayTV from D&M Holdings. In September 2008, consumers filed a class action lawsuit with the Los Angeles Superior Court to stop DirecTV's practice of charging early cancellation penalties to subscribers. In September 2009,

4788-451: Was at the game and tweeted about seeing Jeanneret being carried out of the arena on a stretcher - prompting hundreds of further tweets from fans at the Sabres' page. Jeanneret had shown no signs of illness immediately prior to the game. In an interview the next day, Jeanneret, who was still recovering in the hospital, noted that the emergency was not heart-related and that he had overheated prior to losing consciousness (something that he noted

4864-406: Was diagnosed with stage III throat cancer, which required Jeanneret to miss part of the 2014–15 NHL season . Although he initially sought treatment in his native Canada due to Canada's universal single-payer health care system , he later sought American treatment (coincidentally, from the same doctor that also treated Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly ) due to his stronger personal attachment with

4940-473: Was directly competing against Sling TV . On October 20, 2016, it was reported that AT&T was in talks to acquire Time Warner, in an effort to increase its media holdings. On October 22, 2016, AT&T reached a deal to buy Time Warner for over $ 80 billion. The merger was approved by federal regulators, bringing DirecTV under the same umbrella as HBO , Cinemax , Turner Broadcasting System , Warner Bros. , and Telepictures . On July 13, 2017, it

5016-756: Was in the process of phasing out the U-verse IPTV service by encouraging new customers to purchase DirecTV satellite service instead, and by ending the production of new set-top boxes for the service. AT&T CFO John Stephens had also previously stated that DirecTV's larger subscriber base as a national service gave the service a higher degree of leverage in negotiating carriage deals, thus resulting in lower content costs. On March 1, 2016, AT&T announced plans for several DirecTV-branded over-the-top services, including AT&T TV, DIRECTV Mobile, and DIRECTV Preview to be offered under one platform called DirecTV Stream . DirecTV Stream launched on November 30, 2016, and

5092-574: Was incorporated in 1977, and litigation ensued to determine whether it would be allowed to maintain its interest in Hughes Aircraft. In 1984, the court appointed a new board for HHMI, which proceeded to sell off Hughes Aircraft to General Motors on December 20, 1985, for an estimated $ 5.1 billion. General Motors then merged Hughes Aircraft with its subsidiary Delco Electronics to create Hughes Electronics Corporation. Stanley E. Hubbard founded United States Satellite Broadcasting (USSB) and

5168-645: Was known as "RJ" within the Sabres organization and by close associates. Jeanneret's career began off air at CHUM in Toronto . To get on the air, Jeanneret took classes from the Midwest Broadcasting School, a Chicago -based institution that Jeanneret described as a "crash course" in broadcasting. Upon graduation, he was hired as a disc jockey at CKLY in Lindsay, Ontario . He was then hired by CHVC, later CJRN in Niagara Falls. In 1963, Jeanneret took over

5244-404: Was not certain because of his age and possible health complications (in addition to the cancer battle, he'd also had a pacemaker installed). Jeanneret appeared in a commercial for Molson Canadian , giving a call for a pick-up pond hockey game. Jeanneret is the play-by-play announcer for ICE's Super Chexx arcade machines. On December 22, 2018, during the third period in a home game against

5320-474: Was not going to be a viable enterprise and launched the cable- and satellite-exclusive Empire Sports Network instead. On September 10, 2016, MSG launched a Buffalo-centric version of MSG Network called MSG Western New York , which incorporates content from both the Sabres and the Buffalo Bills including 70 Sabres games. The play-by-play and commentary is radio simulcasted over video, an arrangement unique in

5396-534: Was officially approved by the FCC in 2015; it was subject to conditions for four years, requiring AT&T to expand its fiber-optic broadband service to additional customers, public libraries, and schools, and to "refrain from imposing discriminatory usage-based allowances or other discriminatory retail terms and conditions on its broadband internet service". On March 11, 2015, the Federal Trade Commission filed

5472-535: Was reported that AT&T would introduce a cloud-based DVR streaming service as part of its effort to create a unified platform across DIRECTV and its DIRECTV Stream service. On July 30, 2019, DirecTV Now customers received notices saying the name of that service had been changed to AT&T TV Now, and AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson said DirecTV will continue to operate even after the launch of AT&T TV. On February 25, 2021, AT&T announced that it would spin-off DirecTV, U-Verse TV, and DirecTV Stream into

5548-514: Was simulated on the NHL 2001 video game, and was said to be a matchup between the 1974–75 Buffalo Sabres and the 1998–99 Sabres, both of whom had been to the Stanley Cup finals. The game was said to have taken place at Buffalo Memorial Auditorium , classic Sabres audio clips were played during intermission, and WNSA purposely held out any regular game staff from the commentary who had actually played on

5624-503: Was tabbed to call those road games, along with Danny Gare . Jeanneret indicated he would take up an increased workload in 2012–13, although he would stop short of a full-time broadcast. On June 27, 2012, Jeanneret announced that he would return to the broadcast booth full-time during the 2012–13 season , this time with Rob Ray serving as color commentator in addition to the bench reporter role Ray had served in for previous seasons. Jeanneret indicated it would be his last full season with

5700-420: Was that of former managing partner Larry Quinn . On May 26, 2011, the Sabres announced that Jeanneret (and Neale) would cover only home games and 10 to 15 road games for the Sabres in the 2011–12 NHL season . This was in preparation for Jeanneret's pending retirement, in which Jeanneret stated that he almost retired after the 2010–11 season, but sought the reduced schedule instead. Studio host Kevin Sylvester

5776-479: Was unusual since the arena is usually cold, although Jeanneret had worn a Santa Claus suit for an extended portion of the evening); he did not miss any more of his scheduled play-by-play duties. Jeanneret stated in April 2019, as the 2018–19 season wound down, that he was going to take much more time to decide whether he would return. He expressed major disappointment in the Sabres play that season, noting he had never seen

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