Introduces additional NHL-focused media talent to The Nation Network; bolsters its growing podcast network; strengthens its presence in major Canadian hockey markets
TORONTO—Playmaker Capital Inc. (TSXV: PMKR) (“Playmaker”) announced today that The Nation Network has launched a Calgary-based video podcast series, “Barn Burner”, hosted by veteran radio hosts, Dean “Boomer” Molberg and Ryan Pinder alongside ex-NHL’er Rhett Warrener. In addition to Barn Burner, The Nation Network will also be launching “Leafs Morning Take”, a daily show in connection with TheLeafsNation and hosted by former Rogers Sportsnet NHL and fantasy contributor, Nick Alberga alongside former Toronto Maple Leaf, Jay Rosehill.
Barn Burner and Leafs Morning Take will contribute to The Nation Network’s growing slate of hockey-focused video podcast series. These talent-led shows will deepen The Nation Network’s existing footprint in major hockey markets at a pivotal time ahead of the upcoming 2022-23 NHL season.
The Nation Network is a leading North American hockey-first sports media and lifestyle brand, enabling passionate fans to engage with their favourite teams across audio-video content, web properties, social media, fantasy content, merchandise, and live events. Throughout the 2022-23 NHL season, The Nation Network’s properties, including six team-based web properties and Daily Faceoff, will produce hockey content that spans three different time zones. The Nation Network will air five shows Monday through Friday, providing hockey fans a full slate of content. Leafs Morning Take at 11:00am ET, Daily Faceoff Live at 12:00pm ET, Barn Burner at 12:30pm ET, OilersNation Everyday at 2:00pm ET, Canucks Conversion at 4:00pm ET as well as twice weekly podcast, DFO Rundown, and three times per week podcast, Dropping The Gloves.
Barn Burner and Leafs Morning Take add to The Nation Network’s audio-video content offering that is clipped and distributed across YouTube, TikTok, and all other social media platforms to meet hockey fans wherever they are. By bolstering its lineup of premier hockey content with new shows in Calgary and Toronto, and with strong presence already in Vancouver and Edmonton, The Nation Network is positioning itself to make further inroads with Canadian hockey fans, generate nation-wide exposure across its various channels, and grow its share of the Canadian sports media market.
Dean “Boomer” Molberg joins The Nation Network as the former host of Rogers Sportsnet’s “Boomer in the Morning”, a daily show targeted at the Calgary sports market. With over 18,000 Twitter followers, Boomer is a beloved and trusted voice of the Calgary Flames fanbase, and he brings to FlamesNation a longstanding career in sports broadcasting to help spearhead the continued development of the brand in Calgary. Nick Alberga comes to TheLeafsNation to lead newly launched daily show, Leafs Morning Take. Mr. Alberga is a seasoned media talent with a specific expertise around fantasy hockey from his time as co-host of the NHL Fantasy on Ice podcast. In addition to TheLeafsNation, Mr. Alberga will contribute to various properties across The Nation Network, namely Daily Faceoff Fantasy.
“We are incredibly excited to partner with The Nation Network and work together to take our show to another level,” said Dean “Boomer” Molberg. “We are very impressed with the commitment and vision The Nation Network and Playmaker have for our show, FlamesNation and the entire network moving forward. Hockey fans consume content differently today, and we are thrilled to have the freedom and flexibility to create things where, when and how we want.”
Podcasts are a key element of Playmaker’s content offering as more sports fans look to alternative digital channels to satisfy their sports consumption needs. Moreover, podcasts are quickly becoming a primary segment of overall digital advertising spend, with US podcast advertisement projected to grow more than 31% in 2023.1 With the additions of Barn Burner and Leafs Morning Take, The Nation Network will provide NHL fans and advertisers an expanded suite of hockey content available on multiple podcast distribution platforms and YouTube for the 2022-23 NHL season.
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1 eMarketer – US Podcast Advertising 2022
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