Let's dive right into the elephant in the room: the Dallas Stars' new Victory+ intermission reports are leaving fans scratching their heads and reaching for the remote—why settle for a casual chat when you could have dynamic, on-site analysis that keeps the excitement alive?
I've got to say, there's plenty to celebrate about the Dallas Stars' shift to Victory+. For starters, offering free in-market streaming is a game-changer, especially when so many other sports teams are tangled up in messy regional sports network disputes. This bold, innovative strategy is turning heads across the NHL, and it's paying off big time. Just check out the latest numbers showing a surge in Stars viewership (https://www.shapshotshockey.com/p/victory-streaming-numbers-have-been). Fans can now easily tune in without the hassle, making the Stars—and the Anaheim Ducks, who are on a similar path—one of the most accessible options for streaming enthusiasts in a digital age where convenience is king.
Victory+ isn't stopping there; they've stepped up their game with engaging over-the-top content that feels like an extension of the team's own media powerhouse. One standout addition that's caught my eye is the fresh show FTEB, created by my good friend Jeff Toates. It offers a creative, unconventional perspective on the Stars, blending humor and insights in ways that keep things fresh and fun for viewers.
Plus, every game on Victory+ comes with a readily available Spanish-language broadcast, putting the Stars in the elite company of just a few NHL teams that provide this inclusive option for every matchup. It's a smart move that broadens the fanbase and reflects the diverse community in Dallas.
But here's where it gets controversial... we simply can't ignore what's unfolding during those crucial intermission breaks. During the Stars' very first regular-season home game broadcast on Victory+ this past Thursday, the intermission segment starred Brien Rea and Brent Severyn, but instead of being courtside at the American Airlines Center, they were tucked away in a podcast studio at Victory+ headquarters.
Picture this: the two analysts perched behind a desk with oversized microphones, chatting as if they were on a laid-back radio slot during rush hour. And keep in mind, this was a home game in Dallas—not some remote setup from Vancouver. It's a jarring shift from the familiar setup fans knew before, where Rea and Severyn would anchor from inside the arena for home games, bringing that live energy right to the viewers. Sure, road games often meant studio time, but even then, it had a polished TV vibe. Last season, Victory+ leaned into a more relaxed style, ditching the suits for a casual Friday look, but it still felt professional and engaging.
Important note here: I haven't chatted directly with Rea or Severyn about any of this. My take comes purely from my own viewing experience and conversations with folks inside Victory+ and the Stars organization.
Adding to the overly chill atmosphere, the debut intermission largely replayed clips from 'Frankly Hockey,' a brand-new daily program on Victory+ hosted by ex-Daily FaceOff reporter Frank Seravelli. For beginners tuning in, 'Frankly Hockey' is meant to be a quick-hit show covering broader hockey topics, but in this context, it meant skipping the in-depth breakdown of the Stars vs. Canucks action unfolding on the ice. Instead, audiences got a somewhat flat podcast-style talk on things like Olympic hockey sites and national league news—nothing tied to the game at hand. If I weren't planning to cover this, I'd have switched to another NHL matchup on ESPN+ to stay in the hockey zone. But not everyone is as forgiving; some fans might bail to the MLB playoffs or just log off entirely, losing that thread of excitement.
The second intermission fared a bit better—no 'Frankly Hockey' detour this time—and Rea and Severyn finally got to dissect the game. Still, it came across as a watered-down, single-camera podcast effort, far from the lively, multi-angle productions viewers have come to expect over the years.
Now, don't get me wrong—I'm not saying intermission shows need to be blockbuster events that boost ratings on their own. But as someone glued to the screen, I crave content that sustains the night's narrative, building suspense and keeping me hooked until that next face-off. And this is the part most people miss: it's not just a personal gripe. Fans are savvy; they can spot when they're getting a downgraded version of the broadcast, something that feels more like a student film project than the slick output from a major streaming platform teaming up with an NHL franchise.
To back this up, let's look at some real reactions from viewers at home: [Insert fan comments here, as they echo widespread frustration with the low-energy setup and lack of game-specific focus].
This whole situation shines a spotlight on the bigger trend of 'podcastification' in sports media—and yeah, that's a term worth unpacking for newcomers. It refers to how podcasts, with their informal, audio-first format, are infiltrating traditional TV and live broadcasts, often prioritizing cost savings over production polish. Take Spittin' Chiclets, for example: that powerhouse podcast wielded so much influence it reportedly derailed Mike Babcock's shot at coaching the Columbus Blue Jackets and catapulted Paul Bissonnette into a national TV role with TNT. Podcasts are budget-friendly goldmines—usually shot with minimal cameras, a lone producer, and zero frills—making them an easy way to pad schedules.
ESPN's all-in on this, carving out daily slots for The Pat McAfee Show, which evolved from a podcast into a full TV spectacle. Other networks are jumping on the bandwagon, airing live podcast feeds as quick content fixes. Ironically, after the Stars-Canucks tilt wraps up tonight, I'll be jumping on my own postgame podcast for DLLS, which gets simulcast on YouTube and local TV... guilty as charged on that front!
Podcasts aren't the enemy—I earn a chunk of my income from them, and I get the harsh economics shaking up our industry. We're all hustling to maximize quality while pinching pennies. But and this is where it gets really debatable—shouldn't live game broadcasts, especially those backed by an NHL team, aim higher? It's one thing for an independent podcaster to go solo with a basic mic setup; it's quite another when a professional franchise greenlights it for their flagship product. Fans deserve better, and they know it. With that in mind, what do you think— is this podcast trend revolutionizing sports coverage for the better, or is it cheapening the fan experience? Drop your takes in the comments below; I'd love to hear if you're on team 'keep it casual' or pushing for more production value. No posts yet, but let's change that!
