To Rapidly Distribute Video Online and in Arenas, Speed Is Key As NHL Seeks To Quickly Broadcast Video Footage Across Platforms

Jim O'Neill — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 09:42:44 -0400

BURLINGTON, MA June 2, 2008 — Signiant®, Inc., the leading developer of digital media distribution management solutions for the telco, media and entertainment industries, today announced that the National Hockey League (NHL) has deployed its digital media distribution technology as part of a strategic plan to super-serve avid fans with video content.

Using the technology, the NHL will quickly and easily acquire behind-the-scenes content shot in the field, providing a unique video experience to fans via NHL Network Online, and deliver very timely game highlights to NHL arena Jumbotrons. As a result, the League can highly engage its avid fans with video content, as well as expose them to more events taking place League-wide.

The NHL boasts 53 million of the most passionate, technically sophisticated fans in North America, and the League is seeking to capitalize on two marketing opportunities: making NHL.COM the premier online destination to super-serve avid fans with video content from games and behind-the-scenes; and to generate increased interest in events taking place beyond a fan's local market.

With Signiant, the NHL can quickly ingest, manage and control the distribution of game footage and other promotional video to and from its 30 arenas in the U.S. and Canada, plus NHL Network Online, a landmark online video initiative launched in April. As a result, the League can keep fans immersed in the game as never before.

"Video is a central platform for engaging NHL fans, both online where we serve them content they cannot get anywhere else, and in arenas where we highlight all of the exciting plays happening in other markets," said Grant Nodine, VP of Technology at the NHL. "We are constantly innovating to super-serve our avid fans, and deploying Signiant solutions is an important part of that strategy."

Signiant allowed the NHL to leverage existing IP connectivity at all of the League's 30 arenas. As a result, Signiant's IP-based solution deployed more quickly and for less cost than some of the NHL's other options, including signal-based solutions.

Prior to implementing Signiant's digital media distribution management suite, the NHL's proprietary venue-based IP network was only used to transfer scoring data, and provide IP-based voice communications. With the ability to closely control media transfers, Signiant's solution allows the NHL to accelerate the movement of large video files over its network while managing and optimizing bandwidth usage to ensure that these vital, existing services remain uninterrupted.

"Today, rich media content producers and owners are struggling with an explosion of digital files that need to be moved to more places in a shorter period of time," said Tony Lapolito, vice president of marketing at Signiant. "The NHL is ahead of the curve in recognizing its need for an efficient solution to manage and distribute content. As a result, they'll be able to optimize revenues by tapping-into their fan's love of hockey and providing an increasingly multimedia experience."

About Signiant
Founded in 2000, Signiant (www.signiant.com) is the digital media supply chain company that telco, media and entertainment executives rely on to manage the movement of media to the right place at the right time. With its open software platform that unites best-in-class management, acceleration, automation and security technologies, Signiant ensures that some of the world's most recognized brands are able to deliver their digital assets and drive new revenue models. Signiant is headquartered in Burlington, MA with development facilities in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada and offices in New York, Los Angeles and Manchester, UK. Read the Signiant blog at http://www.digitalmediagalaxy.com.

VERIZON WIRELESS CUSTOMERS CAN SCORE BIG WITH NHL MOBILE VIDEO ALERTS

Jason Ankeny — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 10:37:09 -0500

BASKING RIDGE, N.J., and NEW YORK, Nov. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- In an exclusive and a first for all professional sports leagues, Verizon Wireless, the leading wireless company with the nation's most reliable wireless voice and data network, and the National Hockey League (NHL) today announced the launch of NHL game video alerts, enabling hockey fans to receive video messages of game highlights on their mobile phones, moments after they happen on the ice.

Verizon Wireless customers who sign up for the game highlights video alerts package can stay on top of their favorite team's on-ice performance through 15-second mobile video alerts with accompanying audio that highlight key goals and remarkable plays. Mobile video alerts are sent after each period -- including overtime -- for every game, allowing fans to stay informed throughout the competition. Hockey fans will receive a maximum of four video alerts in one night.

Customers can purchase the NHL game highlights video alerts package for $2.99 per month/per team by going to www.verizonwireless.com/nhl and clicking on the Alerts tab. Verizon Wireless customers can also sign up via text message by sending the keyword representing the team of their choice (ex. DUCKS or SENATORS) to the short code 7825 (PUCK).

"The immediacy with which we receive information has grown significantly thanks in part to the introduction of mobile phones and the Internet," said Keith Ritter, President, NHL Interactive CyberEnterprises. "Teaming with Verizon Wireless to offer mobile video alerts fulfills a desire for immediate information by bringing the game to our fans through a device they are already using."

Ryan Hughes, vice president of digital media programming for Verizon, said, "The immediacy of mobile makes it a perfect partner for sporting events like NHL games -- our customers get to stay connected to the entertainment they love, but with the freedom and flexibility of mobility. Wireless is the driver that enables fans to keep connected to their favorite teams and players."

For more information on NHL mobile video alerts go to www.verizonwireless.com/nhl or www.nhl.com. For more information on Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or visit www.verizonwireless.com.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable wireless voice and data network, serving 63.7 million customers. The largest U.S. wireless company and largest wireless data provider, based on revenues, Verizon Wireless is headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 68,000 employees nationwide. The company is a joint venture of Verizon Communications and Vodafone . Find more information on the Web at www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

About the NHL

The National Hockey League, founded in 1917, is the second-oldest of the four major professional team sports leagues in North America. Today, the NHL consists of 30 Member Clubs, each reflecting the League's international makeup, with players from more than 20 countries represented on team rosters. According to a Simmons Market Research study, NHL fans are younger, more educated, more affluent, and access content through digital means more than any other sport. The NHL entertains more than 100 million fans each season in-arena and through its partners in national television (VERSUS, NBC, TSN, CBC, RDS, RIS, NASN, NHL Network and HDNet) and radio (Westwood One and XM Radio). Through the NHL Foundation, the League's charitable arm, the NHL raises money and awareness for Hockey Fights Cancer, Hockey's All-Star Kids and NHL Diversity, and supports the charitable efforts of all NHL players. For more information on the NHL, log on to NHL.com.

Verizon Wireless

CONTACT: Debra Lewis of Verizon Wireless, +1-917-848-0035,
Debra.Lewis@verizonwireless.com, or Kerry McGovern of NHL, +1-212-789-2172,
kmcgovern@nhl.com

Web site: http://www.verizonwireless.com/
http://www.nhl.com/
http://www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia/
http://www.verizonwireless.com/nhl/

National Hockey League related Press Releases

To Rapidly Distribute Video Online and in Arenas, Speed Is Key As NHL Seeks To Quickly Broadcast Video Footage Across Platforms

VERIZON WIRELESS CUSTOMERS CAN SCORE BIG WITH NHL MOBILE VIDEO ALERTS