On the Wings

Update (5:50 PM): The press release:

NEW YORK (March 12, 2007)—The National Hockey League (NHL) today announced that NHL Center Ice, the League’s out-of-market subscription package, will now be available to fans in the U.S. and Canada on NHL.com. NHL Center Ice Online provides fans the opportunity to watch up to 40 games per week through a broadband connection on their personal computer or laptop.

NHL Center Ice Online features comprehensive game coverage through the regular-season finale on April 8, plus select games from the Stanley Cup Quarterfinal and Semifinal Rounds (all games subject to local blackout). Current NHL Center Ice television subscribers can purchase NHL Center Ice Online for half price with proof of television package purchase.

“This is another step in the League’s effort to make its content available, across multiple platforms and screens, while preserving the critical relationships between our clubs and local rights-holders,” said Keith Ritter, President, NHL Interactive Cyber Enterprises. “Other than being at the game, there is nothing of greater interest to our fans than seeing broadcasts of live game action.”

Fans wishing to purchase NHL Center Ice Online can log on to NHL.com or CenterIce.NHL.tv to register. NHL Center Ice Online is a portable service; once registered from a home location, the service can be accessed remotely throughout the U.S. and Canada.

The NHL has chosen Akamai Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: AKAM), the leading global service provider for accelerating content and business processes online, to be the technology provider for its NHL Center ICE online service.

“We are excited to support the NHL’s launch of its first Internet TV experience to hockey fans in the U.S. and Canada,” said Bill Wheaton, Vice President, Digital Media Solutions, Akamai. “For a growing number of consumers, the Internet is becoming their main source for the most up-to-date content on sports, news and music programming. Akamai provides sophisticated online media delivery solutions, enabling forward-thinking companies such as the NHL to address the increasing interest in Internet TV content and programming.”

NHL Center Ice is currently available in the U.S. and Canada on the following League cable and satellite distributors: DirecTV, Dish Network, iNDEMAND, Bell Express Vu, Rogers, Cogeco, Access, Eastlink and others.

- Matt

The package is $119. Just go to centerice.nhl.tv to sign up to watch up to 40 games a week online, if you have broadband internet.

With the NHL Network’s “NHL On the Fly” also now available online, that’s two big video announcements today by the League.