It really depends on the market. The Canadian teams and the NE teams do get quite a bit in regional TV money.

How NHL of them.

There was so much sarcasm in the article that it imploded and became sincere.

I think it's just critics who dislike something because of personal taste and they try to justify their opinion with uninformed analysis. There is an article from the Globe and Mail TV critic that is basically the same thing. But at least this guy admits Game of Thrones isn't his cup of tea.