NEW YORK — Australia-headquartered global telecom company Telstra announced today it has signed a five-year agreement with the National Hockey League to distribute up to 1,400 NHL games per year to viewers around the world using Telstra’s Global Media Network (GMN).
“Telstra’s GMN is a purpose-built video contribution and distribution network supporting permanent and occasional use services for point-to-point and point-to-multipoint on a consumptive-based business model across traditional broadcast, IP video standards and cloud connectivity,” explains a press release.
The NHL hockey games will be distributed by Telstra via subsea fibre cables, satellite and IP broadcast. Telstra will support the delivery of the NHL content through its broadcast operations centres in Pittsburgh, Sydney and London. (Pictured above is one of Telstra’s broadcast operations centres.)
“These centers provide 24/7 monitoring of Telstra’s Global Media Network, ensuring continuous stable and reliable connectivity to provide fans with the highest-quality viewing experience,” the press release says.
“With their Global Media Network, Telstra offers a level of flexibility, creativity and commitment that allow us to provide tailored, custom delivery solutions on a market-by-market basis,” said Dan Kim, NHL senior vice-president of media and international distribution and strategy, in the release.
“We will continue to share the excitement of live hockey with avid fans around the world and look forward to building audiences in new markets this season and beyond,” Kim said.
“This exciting new partnership coincides perfectly with Telstra’s ongoing commitment to invest in its networks and offer new, innovative content delivery and distribution solutions to customers around the world,” said Adam Day, Telstra Americas vice-president of enterprise, technology and broadcast sales, in the release.
“We look forward to helping the NHL expand its reach and showcase the spirit and excitement of the game to more sports fans globally.”
Telstra did not disclose the financial terms of its deal with the NHL in its press release.
When contacted by Cartt.ca, Day responded via email, saying: “Due to our agreement we can’t disclose financial terms over the five years, but can say that we are seeing a trend where forward-looking organizations are looking to extend their content into new countries and regions, and the distribution flexibility the Telstra Global Media Network delivers provides substantial advantages.”
While right now the deal will see NHL games delivered to rights-holders in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, there are plans to expand to other markets around the world.
Asked about which markets will be added in the future, Day said: “As we continue to build out Telstra’s Global Media Network, we are effectively opening up new regions, countries and continents for content providers to build collaborative relationships with content distributors, broadcasters and cable operators in those areas.
“We will continue to focus our investment in areas our customers want us to be, and we’ll soon be able to share some more details about extending our media network into Canada which we are super-excited about,” Day said.
“The flexibility of Telstra’s Global Media Network provides quick and seamless expansion into areas to jumpstart discussions between content owners and new rights-holders to drive discussions, business development, and new fan bases.”
Photo provided by Telstra.
