NHL GameCenter Apps Available On iPad And Popular Smartphones;
Fans Can Watch Live Games And Highlights Via Mobile
NEW YORK, Oct. 27, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The National Hockey League today unveiled its global mobile product portfolio, which this season delivers to fans a complete lineup of mobile NHL GameCenter™ applications developed for the widest range of smartphones, tablets and carriers – many of which are distributed by official League partners Verizon Wireless (USA) and Bell Mobility (Canada).
The NHL GameCenter apps are the place to get a vast selection of NHL® video on smartphones or tablets − including live streaming games and in-game highlights (blackout and other restrictions apply).
"Hockey fans around the world have an insatiable demand for NHL content, and want a multi-platform experience that includes their wireless handsets and tablets," said John Collins, the NHL's chief operating officer. "Our mobile products put the best NHL content in the hands of our fans − no matter where they live, what time of day it is or what mobile device they own."
A recent study by ABI Research confirms that mobile subscriptions worldwide passed the 5 billion mark. With broadband connections only at an estimated 400 million, mobile has become the most pervasive means of distributing NHL video content globally. According to Scarborough Research, NHL fans are more likely to own smartphones than fans of any other major professional sport. In addition, tablets are providing rich, second-screen experiences to television viewers. In fact, Gartner is predicting tablet sales will reach 19.5 million units in 2010 before jumping 181 percent in 2011 to reach 54.8 million. By 2014, Gartner expects consumers to buy 208 million tablets.
The NHL is servicing this growing demand by developing multiple applications on the widest range of smartphones and tablets, creating a mobile front door to the League for every fan.
A FIT FOR EVERY FAN
Ranging from free to paid, beginning today the NHL is offering three versions of NHL GameCenter apps on a complete array of smartphones and tablets, including Google Android, BlackBerry, iPhone/iTouch and Nokia handsets, and the iPad tablet (which, starting this week, will be sold by Verizon Wireless).
The apps will be distributed through Android Market (Android smartphones); BlackBerry App World (BlackBerry smartphones); Apple iTunes (iPhone, iTouch and iPad); Ovi Store (Nokia smartphones); and Verizon Wireless VCAST (Android and BlackBerry smartphones on the Verizon Wireless network).
With device-optimized apps, and multiple price points, the NHL is providing a mobile content experience to fit every fan, and shortening the distance between the League and its fans all over the world.
CHOOSE THE MOBILE PRODUCT THAT'S BEST FOR YOU
- NHLGAMECENTER™ – a free mobile application that delivers live scores; live in-game stats for every team and player; a real time Ice Tracker™, which is a feature that shows the locations of goals, hits and saves on a virtual hockey rink; game photos; a full-season schedule; NHL standings; NHL player profiles; archived results and stats for the current season; searchable content; and a personalized experience.
- NHLGAMECENTER PREMIUM – a premium upgrade from NHL GAMECENTER offering video highlights, condensed games and live game audio in addition to those features found through NHL GameCenter.
- NHLGAMECENTER LIVE™ – available today on BlackBerry and Android smartphones on the Verizon Wireless Network, this best-in-class mobile application gives subscribers access to live streams of NHL games on their mobile device along with all the content available throughNHL GameCenter Premium. NHL GameCenter LIVE for iPads is due out later in 2010.
NHL GameCenter apps are not all available on all devices, due to territory and rights restrictions.
THE NHL COMES TO THE TABLET
Tablets are quickly becoming a must-have viewing companion for television and NHL GameCenter for the iPad engrosses fans in scores, stats, player profiles, and stories to create a true immersive hockey experience. NHL GameCenter Premium is available now through the iPad, with live games becoming available via NHL GameCenter LIVE later in 2010.
The League will continue to develop its NHL GameCenter apps for devices beyond the iPad such as the Blackberry Playbook and the Samsung Galaxy, which will be available through Verizon Wireless later in the year.
All NHL GameCenter applications were co-developed with the NHL's exclusive technology services provider NeuLion, a leading IPTV company. NeuLion is a leading IPTV company providing a comprehensive suite of technology and services to content owners and aggregators. The NeuLion IPTV Platform provides fan experiences on multiple consumer devices at the same time. NeuLion is a leading IPTV company providing a comprehensive suite of technology and services to content owners and aggregators. NeuLion is a leading IPTV company providing a comprehensive suite of technology and services to content owners and aggregators. NeuLion is a leading IPTV company providing a comprehensive suite of technology and services to content owners and aggregators. For more information on any NHL mobile app, visit .
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NHL and the NHL Shield are registered trademarks and NHL GameCenter, NHL GameCenter LIVE and Ice Tracker are trademarks of the National Hockey League. NHL and NHL team marks are the property of the NHL and its teams. NHL 2010. All Rights Reserved. Blackout and other restrictions apply.
For more information, contact:
Kerry McGovern / National Hockey League
kmcgovern@nhl.com, 212-789-2172
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