Just days ahead of returning to the ice on Aug. 1, the NHL announced they teamed up with Twitter and Disney Streaming Services (formerly Major League Baseball Advanced Media) in order to create new ways for fans to interact with the game.
The partnership offers fans in the U.S. live look-ins of select games via Twitter during the 2020 Stanley Cup qualifiers and playoffs. Fans will cast their votes on Twitter polls to choose the games that will have the live look-ins.
“NHL fans are fiercely passionate and are among the most engaged sports fans on social media,” said Heidi Browning, NHL Senior EVP and chief marketing officer.
“Everything our fans do shows us they want to have deeper connections with the League and our teams, and this exciting partnership with Twitter and Disney Streaming Services – especially during this unprecedented time of social distancing – provides the perfect platform to facilitate fan interaction and conversation, as well as drive broadcast tune-in.”
The new format aims to bring more viewers to live sporting events on NBC Sports, regional sports networks and NHL Network. The NHL will choose two game nights that will feature the live look-ins on a weekly basis during qualifying play and the first two rounds of the playoffs. Once the conference finals begin, the frequency will ramp up to a minimum of five games and then during every game of the Stanley Cup Finals.
The partnership will also bring video highlights, Twitter Moments, top tweets and specially designed Stanley Cup and team emojis to fans as part of the initiative.
Photo credit: NHL Facebook page