The National Hockey League and Cisco Systems Inc. (CSCO) have cut a deal whereby the networking kingpin will support the league's strategic digital media initiatives with Cisco technology, starting with the league’s All-Star game this weekend.
Cisco claims use of its technologies will help the NHL “super-serve” millions of avid hockey fans across North America with digital video of their favorite teams and players.
The league is embracing Cisco's Internet-based networking and advanced technologies as the platform to deploy digital video applications and capitalize on what Cisco calls “fan activation opportunities.”
These opportunities include NHL GameCenter LIVE, the NHL's new online subscription service that puts fans in control of the premium experience for interacting with and viewing live NHL games.
NHL GameCenter LIVE streams up to 40 games per week, and is specifically designed for those avid fans looking for the most complete, in-game NHL viewing experience, as well as for the nearly 50 percent of NHL fans that live away from their favorite team's local television market.
Cisco claims sales of the NHL's live streaming video have increased more than 250 percent this season.
Also included is NHL Network Online, a free, broadband media service that is available to fans at NHL.com. It’s a key component of the NHL's strategy to build global scale through digital media. The NHL Network Online is delivered to fans through a broadband media player.
Fans will now enjoy seven dedicated channels of NHL multimedia, each programmed around distinct themes.
Cisco claims it powers the LiveWire channel, which is dedicated to bringing fans live events from around the league; and Cisco technology enables the NHL to deliver millions of game highlight videos per month through the popular Game Highlights channel. Game highlights power a significant majority of video starts and completions, key measures of fan enjoyment and engagement for the league.
Cisco adds its technology helps the NHL's ability to, for the first time ever, quickly move video highlight packages to arenas throughout North America during live games for display on Jumbotrons.
The NHL intends to work with Cisco to deploy new technologies that will enhance the delivery of all video across platforms to achieve the highest resolution available to consumers.
