Rogers Communications "plans to offer 1,000 games" from the '14-15 NHL regular season, as well as the Stanley Cup Playoffs, "on an online streaming platform," according to Christine Dobby of the GLOBE & MAIL. The company yesterday said that it would "offer free live streaming of games on its NHL GameCentre Live to its own wireless and broadband Internet customers" until the end of the calendar year. Rogers in November '13 "landed the national NHL rights" in Canada for 12 years in a C$5.2B deal. The announcement "reveals more detail" about how the company will "put its investment in hockey rights to work" beginning this season. Rogers Media President Keith Pelley said that streaming games online "will count against users' monthly data caps." Customers of cellular and Internet providers other than Rogers "will be able to subscribe to the package for $199.99 for the season; a discount to $179.99 will be available until Oct. 13." A French-only package including 60 Canadiens games and 54 Senators games "will be available for $59.99." Half-season passes that begin in January "will be $129.99 for both Rogers and non-Rogers subscribers." Rogers also "promised it would lift more 'blackouts' of in-region games," but the catch is that those fans "must still be television customers and can't rely solely on an online subscription." The company said that fans who subscribe to the Rogers Sportsnet specialty channel -- no matter which television provider they use -- "will be able to authenticate their subscriber status and stream their local team's regional games" (GLOBE & MAIL, 9/4). The CP's Stephen Whyno noted Rogers "can only control blackouts within Canada because it does not broadcast games in the United States, where NBC Sports has national rights and regional sports networks also have a say" (CP, 9/3).
FRENCH CONNECTION: In Montreal, Pat Hickey notes NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, COO John Collins, former Canada Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, Canadiens Owner Geoff Molson, TVA Sports President Pierre Dion and several current and former NHLers "were on hand" as TVA -- the Canada-based French language network -- "launched its inaugural NHL season with a splashy affair" in Boucherville, Quebec (Montreal GAZETTE, 9/4).
