HockeyTV, the subscription streaming arm of the ice hockey technology and analytics company HockeyTech, has acquired exclusive rights in North America to top-tier ice hockey leagues in four European countries from the Spring Media agency.
The rights agreement, which was announced today (Tuesday), will allow HockeyTV to broadcast matches from the Czech Republic’s Tipsport Extraliga, Slovakia’s Tipsport Liga, Latvia’s Optibet Liga and France’s Ligue Magnus. Rights to France’s second-tier Division 1 are also included.
The live and on-demand rights agreement will add around 1,500 matches to HockeyTV’s portfolio. The 2019-20 editions of the different leagues were cut short because of the outbreak of Covid-19.
HockeyTV holds rights to over 50 leagues but has been hit by the Covid-19 shutdown that has curtailed various seasons.
The American Hockey League, the National Hockey League’s top minor league affiliate and one of the main draws on HockeyTV, this week cancelled the remainder of the 2019-20 season, including the playoffs. The Southern Professional Hockey League, another property broadcast by HockeyTV, was cut short in March before the planned end to the 2019-20 season.
HockeyTech chief executive Stu Siegel said: “While we have broadcast many European games on HockeyTV on behalf of USA Hockey and Hockey Canada, this is the first time we will be streaming full seasons for European professional hockey leagues.”
Tobias Osmund, Spring Media’s chief executive, added: “HockeyTech has an impressive track record when it comes to ice hockey leagues live streaming in North America and we believe they will be the perfect partner in the region to reach a new audience and offer top professional ice hockey action to the fans.”
Ice hockey fans will be able to watch the matches by subscribing to a monthly or annual plan at HockeyTV.com or via the Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire, iOS and Android apps.