Kukla's Korner Hockey
Next entry: Alfredsson On The Block
Previous entry: Interactive Viewing
Google & NHL Become Partners
by Paul on 11/01/06 at 01:09 PM ET
Comments (18)
NEW YORK (Nov. 1, 2006)- NHL Interactive Cyber Enterprises (ICE), the digital arm of the National Hockey League (NHL), today announced a multi-year deal to provide NHL video content to Google Video. The NHL will provide in-season full-length games on delay to Google Video at http://video.google.com/nhl.html. Google also will receive select NHL classic games.
In addition to the game content, the NHL also will work with Google to allow certain NHL themed user-generated content on http://video.google.com/nhl.html. This is the first time Google Video has worked with a major professional sports league in such a manner.
To celebrate its 89th season and this increased access to video content, the NHL will be offering its content for free – without ads – for the first two weeks of November.
“When web users are searching for diverse video content, Google Video is the first place they go, just as NHL.com is the first place hockey fans go when they want NHL video,” said Keith Ritter, President of NHL ICE. “The combination of our content and Google’s massive reach is a terrific pairing, and we’re excited to add fan-generated content to the mix.”
update 3:45pm, from Bufalo Business Journal,
The National Hockey League has annunced a new multi-year video content deal with Google Video making full-length games from the ‘06-07 season and some classic games available for online purchase on a 48-hour, tape-delay basis.
Pricing is still being finalized, but games are likely to cost $2.99 each after a free trial for the first two weeks of November. The deal arrives after a beta test on Google Video, as well as an offering last spring in which condensed NHL playoff games were sold on Apple’ iTunes store.
Discussions about a future video content deal with Apple are still ongoing, Ritter said, as are efforts to offer live streaming of games online. No timetable exists for either initiative.
Filed in: | KK Hockey | Permalink
Comments
I can’t find info on how long the “delay” is. Anyone know this?
I take it we’re not yet at the point where they’ll have each game live (or nearly live)?
Posted by EJB on 11/01/06 at 03:31 PM ET
EJB, As soon as I find out the answers to your question, I will post it.
Posted by Paul from Motown Area on 11/01/06 at 03:33 PM ET
$2.99 isn’t worth it for a delayed game. Maybe if they get a live stream going, $2 bucks a pop or $1.50 would be attractive to the casual hockey fan.
Posted by bcrt2000 on 11/01/06 at 04:04 PM ET
OMG.
I can watch the Leafs win the cup in ‘67.
I can relive 93 and the awesomeness that was Doug Gilmore. This is incredible.
Posted by Karina on 11/01/06 at 04:27 PM ET
How do you download these google videos to your hard drive?
Posted by Joe Pelletier from British Columbia on 11/01/06 at 04:50 PM ET
I think this is a GREAT deal. If the delay is minimal, it means the television rights aren’t being compromised, plus we have greater control of our access to games. In my opinion, the NHL has done good with this setup.
You can download Google videos with several possible hacks. This should work: http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifehack/how-to-download-google-video.html
Posted by Alanah McGinley from British Columbia on 11/01/06 at 05:16 PM ET
No, the hack won’t make it free. But once you have access to the video (ie during the free trial or if you pay for it) it will allow you to save a copy of the game on your own harddrive. You’ll have the game forever, recording it like a DVD-R instead of just a single-view.
Personally, I’ll find this very useful, because it gives me access to games I wouldn’t be able to see in my local area, plus have them on tape, basically.
Posted by Alanah McGinley from British Columbia on 11/01/06 at 05:50 PM ET
Thanks for the response, Alanah. Still not interested for regular current season games. Center Ice does that.
Cool for archives though.
Posted by Ninja on 11/01/06 at 06:22 PM ET
Unfortunately we don’t get Center Ice out here (western Canada) although maybe some other parts of the country get it? Not sure. But there’s really nothing like this for fans out here. Either a game is available on the local cable access (or PPV which is also very limited) or it’s not. The NHL Network is good for highlights, but seldom complete games.
This Google thing will mean that people like me will be able access those games, but hopefully they change the broadcast delay from 48 hours to just a few hours. That would be much better, but I still think it’s a good start.
Posted by Alanah McGinley from British Columbia on 11/01/06 at 07:31 PM ET
FREE STREAMING LIVE NHL GAMES...... this is a program called tvu player and it has live streaming games of the nhl ..it has 2 nhl channels that i think are from center ice, it had tsn yesterday and they also were showing a game.I downloaded it yesterday and i am watching the Wings Flames game right now on my computer ...it starts out a little choppy but then it finds its groove(like old vcr auto tracking) i sure cant complain im in Portland OR,and im hearing one of my favorite guys Mickey Redmond ....Great find hope you all enjoy…
http://www.download.com/TVU-Player/3...-10584888.html
Posted by the bird on 11/01/06 at 09:56 PM ET
You can’t get Center Ice? Holy Crap. The League needs to fix that, stat. But in the mean time, I agree this will provide a league-wide fix.
TVU is the new napster
Posted by Ninja on 11/02/06 at 10:53 AM ET
the league has to offer free live games for like a year or two to expose it, then when people get hooked they can start charging for games
Posted by drew from stevens point, wi on 03/01/07 at 05:53 PM ET
Add a Comment
Please limit embedded image or media size to 575 pixels wide.
Add your own avatar by joining Kukla's Korner, or logging in and uploading one in your member control panel.
Captchas bug you? Join KK or log in and you won't have to bother.
Most Recent Blog Posts
KHL Takes a Lesson From the NHL
Brian Campbell Talks Chicago & Wings In Winter Classic
The NHL Hour with Jim Devellano
About KK Hockey
Paul Kukla founded Kukla’s Korner in 2005 and the site has since become the must-read site on the ‘net for all the latest happenings around the NHL.
From breaking news to in-depth stories around the league, KK Hockey is updated with fresh stories all day long and will bring you the latest news as quickly as possible.
Email Paul anytime at
Hockey Links
Excellent news indeed!
Posted by PuckHound61 on 11/01/06 at 01:59 PM ET