A look at why Columbus is raking in viewers

Apparently, the Columbus Blue Jackets are raking in the viewers and drawing fans to their games and thumbing their nose at relocation speculation. How are they doing it? I’m not one to discredit clever strategy, but their strategy seems a little disingenuous.

You know the program info screen you get with most cable packages? Then I’m sure you remember that you get about a sentence of the program info before you expend the panel to show the full screen. The Blue Jackets are taking full advantage of that, and taking full advantage of lazy TV viewers. Here are a few examples of what I mean.

Detroit Red Wings vs Columbus Blue Jackets
It’s Michigan vs. Ohio’s State…
Full information: It’s Michigan vs. Ohio’s State professional hockey team, as the Red Wings battle the Blue Jackets.

Seems fairly innocuous, I guess, but to me, it’s a little deceptive. Here’s another.

Anaheim Ducks vs Columbus Blue Jackets
Come see the Buckeyes’…
Full information: Come see the Buckeyes’ favorite son Ryan Kesler, as he and the Ducks do battle in Columbus

See what I mean? That just seems like they are trying to lure unsuspecting fans to watch the Blue Jackets.

Boston Bruins vs Columbus Blue Jackets
The Blue Jackets have the meth…
Full information: The Blue Jackets have the method to beating the Bruins all figured out, securing 5 points in 3 games.

Now that’s just pandering.