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Press Release: Sport 24 renews pact with NHL to broadcast live games

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Press Release hub banner blue with title in red white and blueSport 24, the first and only live sports channel that’s available on airlines and cruise lines around the world, has renewed its agreement with the National Hockey League (NHL) to provide in-flight and in-ship broadcast coverage through the 2024-25 season.

As part of the agreement, Sport 24 — which is owned and operated by IMG — will broadcast 250 live games each season, including the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Stanley Cup Final, NHL Winter Classic and NHL All-Star Game. Sport 24 has been the international inflight home for the NHL since 2016.

The NHL opened the 2022-23 regular season overseas with the 2022 NHL Global Series featuring the Nashville Predators and San Jose Sharks facing off in a pair of games in Prague, Czechia. The NHL returned to Europe in November with the 2022 Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche in back-to-back games against the Columbus Blue Jackets in Tampere, Finland.

Richard Wise, SVP, Content and Channels at IMG Media, said: “The NHL is one of the most prestigious global sport organisations. This deal is another example of our commitment to North American sports to better serve our airline and cruise ship partners across this market. We’re delighted to bolster our international portfolio and continue to deliver thrilling live action from some of the best ice-hockey teams in the world to fans across the skies and seas.”

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“NHL fans never want to miss their favorite teams or players,” added Jaka Lednik, NHL Senior Vice President of International.  “We are pleased to renew our partnership with Sport 24 and continue offering live games to hockey fans to enjoy while flying or on a cruise.”

Sport 24 is available across more than 840 planes and 170 cruise ships around the world via Panasonic’s market-leading live television service – including Emirates, Etihad Airways, JetBlue, and Singapore Airlines, and P&O, Royal Caribbean, Virgin Voyages, Princess Cruises, and Fred Olsen Cruise Lines to name a few.

Launched in 2012, both Sport 24 and Sport 24 Extra are produced from IMG’s production HQ at Stockley Park, near London’s Heathrow Airport. Sport 24 also shows live action from the – Premier League, UEFA Champions & Europa League, NBA, NHL, NFL (Inflight Only), golf’s Majors, tennis’ Grand Slams and more.

About IMG

IMG is a global leader in sports, fashion, events and media. The company manages some of the world’s greatest athletes and fashion icons; owns and operates hundreds of live events annually; and is a leading independent producer and distributor of sports and entertainment media. IMG also specializes in licensing, sports training and league development. IMG is a subsidiary of Endeavor, a global sports and entertainment company.

About the NHL

The National Hockey League (NHL®), founded in 1917, consists of 32 Member Clubs. Each team roster reflects the League’s international makeup with players from more than 20 countries represented, all vying for the most cherished and historic trophy in professional sports – the Stanley Cup®. Every year, the NHL entertains more than 670 million fans in-arena and through its partners on national television and radio; more than 191 million followers – league, team and player accounts combined – across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube; and more than 100 million fans online at NHL.com. The League broadcasts games in more than 160 countries and territories through its rightsholders including ESPN, WBD Sports and NHL Network in the U.S.; Sportsnet and TVA Sports in Canada; Viaplay in the Nordics, Baltics and Poland; YLE in Finland; Nova in Czech Republic and Slovakia; Sky Sports and ProSieben in Germany; MySports in Switzerland; and CCTV5+ in China; and reaches fans worldwide with games available to stream in every country. Fans are engaged across the League’s digital assets on mobile devices via the free NHL® App; across nine social media platforms; on SiriusXM NHL Network Radio™; and on NHL.com, available in eight languages and featuring unprecedented access to player and team statistics as well as every regular-season and playoff game box score dating back to the League’s inception, powered by SAP. NHL Original Productions and NHL Studios produce compelling original programming featuring unprecedented access to players, coaches and League and team personnel for distribution across the NHL’s social and digital platforms.

The NHL is committed to building healthy and vibrant communities using the sport of hockey to celebrate fans of every race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, and socio-economic status. The NHL’s Hockey Is For Everyone™ initiative reinforces that the official policy of the sport is one of inclusion on the ice, in locker rooms, boardrooms and stands. The NHL is expanding access and opportunity for people of all backgrounds and abilities to play hockey, fostering more inclusive environments and growing the game through a greater diversity of participants. To date, the NHL has invested more than $100 million in youth hockey and grassroots programs, with a commitment to invest an additional $5 million for diversity and inclusion programs over the next year.

Featured image credited to istock.com/JakeOlimb