NHL Looking At Broadband Streaming Of Games In Canada

NHL Eyeing Live Broadband Streaming Of Games In Canada

The NHL is “interested in bringing live broadband streaming of game telecasts into the Canadian market for the coming season,” according to William Houston of the Toronto GLOBE & MAIL. NHL Exec VP/Media Doug Perlman indicated that the league “would need to clear the carriage of Internet game broadcasts with national and regional television rights holders as well as the distributors of the NHL Centre Ice pay-per-view package.” Perlman: “[We] have to be mindful and respectful of our relationship with our partners. But against that backdrop, we’re looking at how we can provide a streaming product that makes sense.” Houston notes the league last season streamed game broadcasts on Comcast.com and Yahoo, but Perlman “would not specify how Internet distribution would be structured in Canada.” Internet rights “will play large in the NHL’s next national TV rights deals in Canada,” where agreements with the CBC and TSN expire after the ’07-08 season (Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 8/3).