NHL Add Nine More Broadcast Partners from Europe, Middle East & Africa

The National Hockey League (NHL) announced today that it has signed nine more broadcast partners that will provide live game coverage of the NHL in countries across Europe, discount the Middle East and Africa.

Broadcaster Nova Sports secured the rights in Czech Republic and Slovakia, illness  Premier Sports and Setanta in UK, arthritis ESPN America in Pan European and Sub Saharan countries, Sport TV in Portugal, Canal Plus Sports in France, Switzerland & other French speaking nations and Fox Sports has gained the rights in the Middle East (TURKEY, CYPRUSand ISRAEL).

These agreements follow the recent landmark distribution partnership between the NHL and MTG to provide live coverage of all 1,230 regular-season games as well as every Stanley Cup Playoff game via television, mobile and broadband throughout the Nordic region, including Sweden, Finland, Denmark and Norway.

It also comes a day after iSportconnect reported ESPN America had secured a broadcasting deal for most of Europe.

John Collins, NHL chief operating officer, said: “Hockey is a global sport, with more than 25 percent of our players hailing from countries outside of North America. Through these new distribution partners, our local-language websites which launched overseas at the start of the season and our digital streaming game product NHL GameCenter Live, we are making it easier for our passionate international fan base to follow their favorite teams and players as well as the Stanley Cup Playoffs.”