ESPN said Monday that it will offer viewers interactive features during its
remaining regular-season and postseason National Hockey League telecasts as part
of a deal between the sports network and the league.
DirecTV Inc. and cable subscribers with Wink Communications Inc. interactive
technology will be able to access NHL scores and detailed statistical
information from around the league, purchase NHL merchandise, answer NHL trivia
questions, view scores from other sports and receive requested information from
advertisers during ESPN and ESPN2 NHL telecasts, according to representatives
from both parties.
ESPN will offer the interactive applications during eight ESPN and 20 ESPN2
regular-season telecasts, beginning with its March 13 Boston Bruins-New York
Rangers game. The features will also be available during as many as 60
postseason NHL telecasts.
ESPN will insert an 'ESPN Extra' logo and an audio alert at the start of NHL
telecasts to make viewers aware of the feature.
The NHL is the first professional league to utilize ESPN's and Wink's
interactive technology on-air: The network unveiled limited ESPN Extra
interactive elements during weekly college-football telecasts.
'Given the passionate and tech-savvy nature of our fan base, the NHL is very
excited about the potential for interactive television to enhance the NHL
viewing experience,' NHL senior vice president of television and media ventures
Doug Perlman said in a prepared statement.
'This is another example of the NHL using cutting-edge technology to bring
our fans even closer to the ice,' he added.
