The NHL yesterday formally announced that Verizon agreed to a three-year renewal of its partnership with the league, NHLPA and NBC Sports Group. The deal includes exclusive content via the Verizon edition of the "NHL GameCenter" apps for smartphones and tablets. The NHL will offer customers of the "Verizon NHL GameCenter Premium App" the ability to stream programming. In addition, all NHL games airing on NBC will be available to Verizon customers using both basic and premium editions of the app (NHL). SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL's Eric Fisher noted the result of the deal between Verizon, the NHL and NBC Sports "was two versions" of the NHL GameCenter app. The Verizon version "will contain live feeds of the weekly NBC coverage, typically blacked out to mobile devices; NBC's 'Inside the Glass' analysis; bonus camera angles; on-demand plays of the week; and other material." The version "available to everyone else still carries scores, standings, photo galleries and other features." In-app upgrades, "carrying additional fees, provide live game audio, in-game highlights and live game video." Additionally, the NHLPA struck a "companion deal with Verizon, extending the carrier's sponsorship rights to the players as well." Financial terms "were not disclosed, but when including total commitments to both the league and member clubs, planned media spending and other activations, the deal is thought to be worth an eight-figure sum annually" (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 2/13 issue).
MORE EUROPEAN TV DEALS: The NHL today announced the addition of two broadcast agreements that will provide live game coverage in Ukraine, Slovenia, Serbia, Montenegro, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Ukrainian “Hockey” TV channel has secured the rights to show up to 15 live NHL games per week for the next five seasons. Meanwhile, Arena Sports has secured the rights to air multiple live NHL games per week in Serbia, Montenegro, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina for the next five seasons. Through this deal, live NHL games also will be made available in Slovenia through Sport TV (NHL).
