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Sling TV adds NHL Network to its add-on Sports Extra package
Not long after Sling TV cut a deal with parent network Dish back in August to offer NFL Network to its customers, they're expanding sports offerings again. Just a few games into the season, they've added the NHL Network to their "Sports Extra" add-on package, the first time the service has been available for an over-the-top product.
Twitter is livestreaming weekly MLB and NHL games
Twitter's live sports streaming plans are expanding well beyond college games, the NFL and tennis. It just unveiled plans to livestream weekly Major League Baseball and National Hockey League games for free with occasional ads. This won't replace a TV or internet video subscription (you can only watch if you're out-of-market, for one thing), but it'll be widely available: MLB games will be available in most countries worldwide, while NHL matches will be available across the US. You won't need to log in to start watching, either. And this is apparently just the start, as Twitter is also promising regular programming regardless of the sports you watch.
Yahoo streaming deal nets weekly NHL hockey games
Yahoo is no stranger to streaming live sports, and starting this week it's adding hockey coverage. The company struck a deal with the National Hockey League (NHL) to offer live action from up to four out-of-market games in the US through the 2016-2017 season. The NHL "Game of the Day" will be available to stream free of charge (no cable subscription required), complete with in-game highlights for each matchup. Yahoo will also show "Best of the Day" and "Best of the Week" highlights alongside condensed games under the terms of the deal. What's more, Yahoo Sports will still be the NHL's official fantasy hockey partner.
MLB's Advanced Media arm inks deal to create content for NHL
The National Hockey League (NHL) and Major League Baseball Advanced Media, MLB's interactive and online broadcast arm, have come to terms on a deal that would give the NHL access to the same Emmy award-winning production assets that the MLB enjoys. The six year deal would effectively create "a fully integrated global hub of digital content that encompasses video, live game streaming, social media, fantasy, apps, along with statistical and analytical content." Basically, all the cool stuff that baseball fans enjoy at MLB.com is coming to hockey fans at the start on next year.
NHL team projects Nintendo-esque 'Bolts of Steel' game on ice
We've seen 3D projections on basketball courts and arena floors before, but the NHL's Tampa Bay Lightning just took the game up a notch. Before the team's Eastern Conference Finals game on Tuesday, it used the playing surface to project a "Bolts of Steel" (get it, lightning bolts) game simulation inspired by the Nintendo classic Blades of Steel. We surmise they opted for another name not just for copyright purposes, but because the franchise didn't exist until 1992. While the video you'll see after the break is a render/demo, a Deadspin reader caught the thing on tape during the pregame festivities, so you can have a look at was it was like for those in attendance. Perhaps if the Bolts advance to the Stanley Cup Finals, they'll let a couple of fans duke it out for some nachos.
Recommended Reading: Marvel's 'Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.' hits its stride
Recommended Reading highlights the best long-form writing on technology and more in print and on the web. Some weeks, you'll also find short reviews of books that we think are worth your time. We hope you enjoy the read. Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Used to be Terrible. Now it's Terrific. by Todd VanDerWerff Vox I've watched all of Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., and at the beginning, it was pretty awful. The show, now well into its second season, has improved drastically and it became some of my favorite weekly viewing. As Vox's Todd VanDerWerff notes, the series "seems designed to turn every single negative on the show into a positive through sheer force of will."
120 Sports streams its live news and analysis on Apple TV
With the backing of Sports Illustrated, MLB, NHL, the PGA tour and more, 120 Sports started streaming free live sports news and analysis on the web and mobile devices last June. Now, the digital network is making the leap to set-top boxes, starting with Apple TV. The channel delivers 8 hours of live coverage every day, with the "120 Morning Run" from 8-10 AM ET during the week. Football fans can take a long lunch for "120 Football Fix" from 12-2 PM ET, and if you miss a live broadcast, there's a library of videos for on-demand viewing, too.
GoPro will deliver live, up-close brutality from the NHL
If you were wondering exactly how GoPro planned to move into live TV broadcasting, we can tell you now. The company has signed a deal with the NHL/NHLPA that will see its cameras deliver real time content during NHL national and regional game broadcasts, starting this weekend. This isn't the first time the two have collaborated, rather it's an extension of their existing partnership. The fun will kick off at the All Star Weekend in Columbus, Ohio, where you'll be able to watch live from the players' point of view (on Saturday), as well as various other better-than-rink-side angles. Sunday's game will also feature live footage from the company's cameras, though the NHL's plans for the technology for the rest of the season aren't specified. While Saturday is the first official partnership for GoPro's broadcast solution, some footage has already made it to our screens. At X Games, Colton Moore raced with a GoPro and transmitter during the Speed and Style snowmobile competition, which ESPN used during its coverage last night.
Use social media to follow your teams with BreakingSports
Now you can get loads of information about your favorite teams and players from a variety of social media sites without spending hours searching those sites individually. BreakingSports is a free universal app that requires iOS 7.0 or later. Once you register on the app you will be able to have hundreds of updates delivered directly to your device without doing any searching. The app works with the four major American sports leagues, the NFL, MLB, the NBA, and the NHL. Users can select first which league they are interested in, then choose which teams you want to follow and finally the app provides a team roster and users can choose individual players and receive updates on them. The app is always seeking out information on the social media sites from games, news conferences, or sports reporters comments. BreakingSports detects the items which match the users criterion and sends notifications right to the user's device. The information covers game previews, roster moves, injuries, news alerts, line-up changes, rumors, and more. Once the game begins, users can choose to receive updated scores and injury updates throughout the game. BreakingSports seems like a no-brainer for fantasy players. Now with this app you can follow each of the players on your team and get updated data on any injuries, whether they will be in or out of the line-up, and other team information that might impact your fantasy line-up. In addition to stories and updates about your favorites the app provides users with a general news feed for each of the four leagues. These will keep users informed about all the activity taking place around the league and with other teams. So with one app users can be up to speed on all they need to know when talking sports with friends over a few cold ones. I used the app for a couple of days and found a couple of shortcomings. First you can't follow college football or basketball or any of the major soccer leagues such as MLS or the Premier League. I can understand college because of the huge number of teams and players but with soccer a growing interest in the US, it might be a good idea to add that sport in the future. The other area users need to be aware of is the volume of notifications you will receive. I selected two teams and three players and my phone seemed like it was going off all the time. I can only imagine how many alerts i would have received if I had entered a ten or twelve man fantasy football roster. It could be more than users want, but with all those alerts users should be assured BreakingSports is doing what it set out to do and that is bring loads of useful information directly to users devices.
Moneyball comes to the NHL with ProPuck Wizard
Billy Beane with the Oakland A's earned the most attention for his early use of analytics in setting up a line-up and running a major league baseball team. Now more and more sports are employing front office personnel with strong statistical and math backgrounds. ProPuck Wizard, a free universal app, now makes it possible for even casual fans to study and analyze their favorite NHL teams and try to discover what is responsible for the team's success or failure. ProPuck Wizard works on IOS 4.3 or later and makes available to fans a thorough breakdown of NHL team and league statistics that goes way beyond what fans would normally find available. Here is a breakdown of just some of the stats available: Tracks teams performance and standings by points, win percentage, and momentum Travel analysis including distance travelled, time zones, and back to back games Goal type analysis including even strength, power play, and short handed Shooting analysis of shots, shot percentage, and save percentage Game match-up analysis for past and future games Complete home/away/aggregate customizable game results All of these statistical breakdowns are updated each day so they are always up to date. In the Help section users will find explanations for all of the breakouts and how they are calculated. The breakout of season long travel for each of the teams demonstrates some numbers that might be important as the season progresses. Western Conference teams travel a much greater distance over the course of the season. All of the Eastern Conference teams are in the Eastern time zone so the distances between cities is relatively close. The only two teams that will travel more than 40,000 miles are Florida and Carolina. Meanwhile all but two of the Western Conference teams will exceed 40,000 miles in travel this year most by several thousand miles. Arizona and Dallas log the most air miles since the are both way south of the other teams. All those extra miles means longer flights after games and getting to bed much later. This could impact a team's performance at certain points of the year. The statistic breakdowns are all color coded. Green numbers mean the team is performing above the league average, red designates areas where teams are below the league average and the blue numbers mark the points where teams are right at the league average. That makes if very easy to see just how your team is doing as you go through the breakouts. All the number columns have headers which can be confusing but a single tap on the header brings up a table with an explanation of each header. If you are kind of a stat-head and really enjoy investigating all areas of performance by your favorite team in an effort to find the reasons for success or failure this app is for you. I am sure you will spend hours on ProPuck Wizard pouring through the numbers and forming your own conclusions on why your team should win the Stanley Cup.
Win a trip to the Stanley Cup with NHL Hat Trick Challenge
So you are a big hockey fan and think you know a lot of about the National Hockey League. Now you have a chance to prove it by downloading and playing the NHL Hat Trick Challenge. This free universal app require iOS 6.0 or later and offers users a chance to win weekly and one of three end of the season grand prizes. This app provides users with loads of information, statistics and highlights from the current NHL season. Plus it offers users a chance to compete against others for prizes. You get the opportunity to answer three questions each day. If you get all three correct you score a hat trick and earn points. Users accumulate points for the entire NHL season and the top three point scorers for the year win prizes. So if you want to win the top prize you will need to use the app every day to keep up with others. Missing a few days means no points and falling behind. You can check the leaderboard at any time to see how you stand. Scores are supposed to be posted daily. The top prize is a trip for two to one of the games in the Stanley Cup finals including air fare, hotel, game tickets, and spending money. Additionally, the top weekly point getters in NHL Hat Trick Challenge qualify for prizes too, either tickets to an NHL game or a gift card they can use to shop for team merchandise in the NHL.com shop. The questions each day are tied to the games being played that day. Which team will win, will Crosby score a goal, will the Bruins score on the power play, will Oshie get an assist? You make your selections and test your NHL knowledge. In addition to the questions, you receive extra info that might sway your decision. You will see what percentage of other users are selecting the top choice and get the pick of former NHL goalie Kevin Weekes. New questions are posted each day any games are played throughout the entire season. In addition to the weekly and season long competitions, users can join with others in individual leagues or you can start your own league with friends and find out which of you really is the most knowledgeable fan. Users will find NHL Hat Trick Challenge a good app if you just want to keep up all season with the NHL. The app provides a link to NHL.com and a full complement of information about the NHL, individual teams and players, including game previews, team schedules, league and player statistics, a fantasy game, video highlights, photo galleries, and more. But it also offers an opportunity to test just how much you know about the NHL. So if you are a more competitive fan, download NHL Hat Trick Challenge and test yourself each day of the season.
NHL preps for hockey season with redesigned apps
With the beginning of a new season a mere couple of days away, The National Hockey League is putting the final touches on how it's going to deliver digital content to fans worldwide. Accordingly, NHL today released a redesigned version of its mobile app for iOS and Android, featuring an overhauled scoreboard view, more integration with social networks and the addition of real-time video/audio highlights. The NHL application, previously known as NHL GameCenter, also brings redesigned menus that let you view more stuff with less taps, such as breaking news or other popular stories.
Be prepared for the new NHL season with NHL GameCenter
The 2014-2015 National Hockey League season begins in less than a week. One of the best ways to stay up to date with all the news and scores is with NHL GameCenter. This free universal app requires iOS 5.0 or later to run. NHL Game Center is really a multi-level app. The app itself is free and offers just about all the essential information a user will need to follow his or her favorite team and the NHL in general. You will find schedules, scores, stats, news, standings, league leaders, and even a place to buy merchandise to support your favorite team. Additionally you can get live audio feeds of every NHL game plus live video of those same games but each of those require an annual subscription. More on those in a minute. Users will find a team page for each of the NHL clubs. On this page you can get info on schedules, where to buy tickets, the current roster, latest team stats, plus access to the team fan gear. The roster page shows all of the current players and allows users to go into detail on each player with another individual page listing background information, how the player did in his last five games plus season and career statistics. The league leaders page breaks out eight stats, four for offensive players and four for goaltenders. You will see who has the most points, goal, assists, and the highest plus/minus ratings. The goaltenders stats include wins, goals against average, shutouts, and save percentage. In each stat area, head shots of the top two leaders are shown. Plus a simple tap in any of the eight sections brings up a list with the Top-30 players in that specific area. Users will find loads of useful information in NHL-Game Center. You can also access a video archive full of league videos broken into a number of areas including Glorious Goals, Super Saves, A Day with the Stanley Cup, Classic Bloopers, Funny Fans and more. All of these videos are free but are preceded by a 15-second commercial announcement. However, if you want live coverage of games you need to buy an annual subscription. The NHL sells a live video subscription for US$159 that gives users access to live game coverage from both the home and away teams, DVR functions, and game replays. Users of NHL GameCenter won't receive all of the games. Any national broadcast or game shown on TV locally will be blacked out. You can also purchase NHL GameCenter Premium for US$9.99 and gain access to live radio broadcasts of the games plus in-game highlights. Similar blackout rules are in effect. Verizon customers with smart phone LTE service can get the Premium content free of charge. I believe the NHL GameCenter app is worth downloading just to access the free information and videos available to users. If you are really a fan and want access to all the out of market games on your phone or iPad, then buy one of the paid subscriptions.
Find out what channel the game is on with Bleacher Buddy
We are entering one of the busiest times of the year for sporting events. Baseball playoffs are starting while both college football and the NFL are in full swing as is soccer world-wide. Plus the NBA and NHL start their seasons in the next couple of weeks. In addition to tracking all these games, you have to go through hundreds of cable and satellite channels. So where is my game being televised? Now Bleacher Buddy offers a one-stop app that will not only provide the channel and time but will also alert you in advance if you choose. This is a free universal app that needs iOS 4.3 or later. First with Bleacher Buddy you enter your zip code. This brings up a list of the local cable and satellite providers in your area. Choose the one you use and you are all set. Now once you select the sport or game you want to watch, the app gives you the local channel and start time. It is as simple as that. Just about every sport is available: MLB, NFL, NHL, NBA, MLS, EPL, WNBA, NCAA football and basketball, golf and even lacrosse. Once you select the sport you get a list of the specific leagues available like in the photo below, basketball is broken out to include the NBA, College Basketball, and the WNBA and Women's College Basketball. Users select the one they want and they receive a list of the games being played that day. They can then go forward to see games in the upcoming days. After you select the game you want, Bleacher Buddy brings up a game page that includes the local TV channels where the game can be viewed, the local start time, and other info such as odds, a chat area, and a place for you to make a prediction on the outcome of the game. Another feature included in Bleacher Buddy is an area where users can set up favorite teams so they can receive alerts on the start of the game and score updates. Each sport also has a "locker room" area so users can chat amongst themselves and "talk" sports and about the game itself. This app works for all zip codes so if you are away from home working or for some other reason, just enter the local zip code and get the local channel listings for your game. Bleacher Buddy takes all the guessing and searching out of finding the game you want to watch on TV.
NHL 2K faces off on iOS, Android today [Update: Nope, it's delayed]
Update: This just in from 2K - "The global launch of NHL 2K is being delayed to ensure we are able to offer our fans the best gaming experience possible, on all compatible mobile devices. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience, but will keep you updated on the title's expected availability as it is confirmed." The mobile return of NHL 2K takes center ice today on iOS and Android, 2K confirmed to Joystiq. Announced last month, the game is the first in 2K Sports' hockey series to launch in four years since NHL 2K11 for Wii and iOS. The "complete and portable All-Star NHL experience" costs $7.99 and will receive live roster updates as the hockey season carries on. Developed by Visual Concepts and Virtuos, NHL 2K includes 2K's trademark multi-season My Career mode (which WWE 2K15 will also feature in its own way) as well as a quick Mini-Rink three-on-three mode. Players can also participate in asynchronous turn-based shootouts with one another or take their favorite teams through a full NHL season. NHL 2K also includes a Winter Classic outdoor arena as well as a Free Skate mode for players to practice their skills. [Image: 2K Sports]
NHL 2K series returns to mobile this fall
2K announced the return of its NHL 2K hockey video game brand today with the aptly-named NHL 2K. The game is in development for iOS and Android devices as a "premium mobile game" slated to launch this fall for $7.99. Players will take to the ice in classic NHL Winter Classic, Free Skate and Shootout modes, a three-on-three Mini-Rink mode, a "detailed" My Career mode and turn-based multiplayer shootouts. NHL 2K is the first entry in the series to surface in four years, the last being 2010's NHL 2K11 for Wii and iOS. The latest game is the result of a cooperative effort between NBA 2K developer Visual Concepts and Virtuos Games, the same studio that lent a hand to Square Enix with Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster in January. NHL 2K will include iCloud support on iOS devices, NHL GameCenter Live connectivity and MFi controller support. [Image: 2K]
120 Sports launches its free internet sports news network today
Whether you're a cord-cutter looking for a way to keep up with sports news or just need an alternative to the cable sports networks, it's time to give 120 Sports a try. Launching today on the web and iOS (Android coming July 14th), it's promising eight hours of live sports coverage every day (from 6PM to 2AM ET today), broken into two-minute clips (also available as video on-demand), hence the name. The lights turned on at 6PM ET today with some live coverage of Tim Lincecum's attempt at a no-hitter, and you'll notice familiar faces like former SportsCenter host Michael Kim and former NBA player Antoine Walker in the mix. The best part? Trying it won't cost you anything except other than some time.
NHL 15 checks first screenshot, pre-order bonuses
EA Sports offered a first still image of the next entry in its hockey series today, NHL 15, spotlighting San Jose Sharks center Joe Thornton in striking detail. The game was announced near the beginning of May as the first in the series for next-gen systems, and will include character models with three layers that behave independently: the athlete's body, their equipment and their jerseys. Thornton's jersey certainly seems to be wrapping well to his pads in the screenshot. EA also recently announced the game's retailer-specific pre-order bonuses. Those heavily invested in the game's Ultimate Team mode will want to pre-order their copy through either EB Games or GameStop, as they will receive $24 in Hockey Ultimate Team gold-level card packs, amounting to one pack per week for 24 weeks. All other retailers will include a similar offer, though limited to $15 in Ultimate Team card packs instead. NHL 15 will launch this fall for Xbox One, PS4, Xbox 360 and PS3. [Image: EA Sports]
NHL 15 skating to PS4, Xbox One this fall
Now that the NHL playoffs are in full swing, EA decided it's the perfect time to offer the first details for its next hockey game, NHL 15. As the first game in the series to grace Xbox One and PS4 this fall, much of its features focus on its visuals and physics. For starters, next-gen versions of the game will feature "12 player NHL collision physics" as well as rebuilt puck physics, the former governing all actions by every player on the ice (like when they slam into each other) with "real-world physics."
MLB, NBA, NHL and NASCAR team up on 120 Sports, a 24-hour streaming video channel
Not to be outdone by the NFL, other major sports leagues in the US are combining efforts to launch a digital network of their own. Dubbed 120 Sports, the newly announced channel is a collaboration between the MLB, NBA, NHL, NASCAR and Time Inc., with the general goal being to deliver video content to fans in a speedy manner and all day long. Unlike the NFL's Now network, 120 Sports' bread and butter will be two-minute segments, which it plans to use for news, highlights and analysis as well as original stories -- sorry, no live games (one day!). Along with being able to stream from the desktop site, there will also be apps for smartphones, tablets and more "connected devices." But here's the best news: Once 120 Sports launches this spring, you won't need a pay-TV subscription to access it.
