NHL Continues to Expand International TV Coverage
NEW YORK (Oct. 31, 2003)—The National Hockey League (NHL) in conjunction with ESPN International announced today that international distribution of NHL programming including NHL regular-season, NHL All-Star and Stanley Cup
Playoff coverage, is at an all-time high with 41 worldwide syndication partners throughout 217 countries and territories.
The NHL and ESPN International, the League’s exclusive worldwide television representative, recently secured new international television agreements in Europe, including newcomer Polsat in Poland. The NHL also has boosted its
record number of international broadcast outlets by reaching new agreements in: the Czech Republic (Galaxie/Czech TV/NOVA), Finland (MTV3), France
(Canal+/Sport+), Germany (Premiere), Hungary (Sport1), Italy (Sky Italia), the Middle East (Showtime/Fox Sports), Portugal (Sport TV), Slovakia (Galaxie/Markiza), Spain (Canal+), Romania (TV Sport) and Sweden (SVT/Kanal
Fem/TV4). After televising its first-ever NHL coverage last season during the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Island of Hong Kong also will be back for another year of HL action as Hong Kong Cable TV also renewed its agreement.
'We are pleased to renew and expand our distribution agreements with a growing list of broadcasters who recognize the NHL as vital sports programming for its viewers,' said Ken Yaffe, NHL International Group Vice
President and Managing Director.
This year’s NHL international broadcast distribution will air more than 400 original NHL games. It’s estimated that over 300 million households outside North America receive NHL programming. ESPN International distributes NHL
programming to more than 120 countries and territories on its networks that televise throughout Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, and the Pacific Rim. Other NHL international programming scheduled for distribution outside
North America this season includes NHL PowerWeek, a weekly show focusing on the League’s international players and highlights of the week’s best plays.
'The NHL offers some of the most exciting action in the world of sports,' said Mark Reilly, ESPN’s vice president and general manager, international sales. 'We are pleased to play a role in bringing the NHL to millions of
hockey fans worldwide.'
ESPN and ESPN2 also will present exclusive national coverage of the World Cup of Hockey 2004 in the United States when the networks combine to telecast 16 games of the international event that features two-weeks of competition between eight of the top hockey nations in the world. The event will be played in seven venues across six different countries on two continents from Aug. 30 to Sept.14, 2004.
The NHL has one of the most diverse talent pools in pro sports with 24 countries represented in the League this season. One-third of the NHL (236 players) hails from outside North America.
A weekly schedule of NHL International broadcasts is listed each week on NHL.com and NHLmedia.com.
For further information please contact:
NHL Media Relations
Tel: +1 212 789 2000
Fax: +1 212 789 2080
Playoff coverage, is at an all-time high with 41 worldwide syndication partners throughout 217 countries and territories.
The NHL and ESPN International, the League’s exclusive worldwide television representative, recently secured new international television agreements in Europe, including newcomer Polsat in Poland. The NHL also has boosted its
record number of international broadcast outlets by reaching new agreements in: the Czech Republic (Galaxie/Czech TV/NOVA), Finland (MTV3), France
(Canal+/Sport+), Germany (Premiere), Hungary (Sport1), Italy (Sky Italia), the Middle East (Showtime/Fox Sports), Portugal (Sport TV), Slovakia (Galaxie/Markiza), Spain (Canal+), Romania (TV Sport) and Sweden (SVT/Kanal
Fem/TV4). After televising its first-ever NHL coverage last season during the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Island of Hong Kong also will be back for another year of HL action as Hong Kong Cable TV also renewed its agreement.
'We are pleased to renew and expand our distribution agreements with a growing list of broadcasters who recognize the NHL as vital sports programming for its viewers,' said Ken Yaffe, NHL International Group Vice
President and Managing Director.
This year’s NHL international broadcast distribution will air more than 400 original NHL games. It’s estimated that over 300 million households outside North America receive NHL programming. ESPN International distributes NHL
programming to more than 120 countries and territories on its networks that televise throughout Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, and the Pacific Rim. Other NHL international programming scheduled for distribution outside
North America this season includes NHL PowerWeek, a weekly show focusing on the League’s international players and highlights of the week’s best plays.
'The NHL offers some of the most exciting action in the world of sports,' said Mark Reilly, ESPN’s vice president and general manager, international sales. 'We are pleased to play a role in bringing the NHL to millions of
hockey fans worldwide.'
ESPN and ESPN2 also will present exclusive national coverage of the World Cup of Hockey 2004 in the United States when the networks combine to telecast 16 games of the international event that features two-weeks of competition between eight of the top hockey nations in the world. The event will be played in seven venues across six different countries on two continents from Aug. 30 to Sept.14, 2004.
The NHL has one of the most diverse talent pools in pro sports with 24 countries represented in the League this season. One-third of the NHL (236 players) hails from outside North America.
A weekly schedule of NHL International broadcasts is listed each week on NHL.com and NHLmedia.com.
For further information please contact:
NHL Media Relations
Tel: +1 212 789 2000
Fax: +1 212 789 2080