NHL Network lands on SES Americom IP-PRIME

The NHL’s 24-hour suite of hockey
in both HD and SD will be available to IP-PRIME operators across the
United States. NHL Network represents a key addition to IP-PRIME’s
bundle of more than 30 sports channels within its 300-plus SD and HD
television lineup.

“Signing this agreement with NHL Network just
after an exciting Stanley Cup Final is great
news for all fans of hockey,” said Bill
Squadron, President of IP-PRIME. “Our superb
HD video quality is ideally suited to the NHL Network programming; the
shape of the rink, the movement of the players and their sticks, and the
speed of the puck are all brilliantly captured in HD.”

“NHL Network provides fans across North
America the hockey programming they want in HD 24 hours a day, 365 days
a year. It is an important platform in the activation of our fans
year-round by providing all-inclusive coverage that they cannot get
anywhere else,” said Jody Shapiro, NHL Senior
Vice President of Distribution for NHL Network. “We
are pleased to be working with IP-PRIME to expand the distribution of
NHL Network.”

NHL Network is the first network dedicated to the National Hockey
League, giving fans unprecedented access to the most comprehensive
hockey coverage—both on and off the ice. In
addition to live NHL games, programming includes AHL, ECHL, and IIHF
World Junior hockey, post-game press conferences, special event
programming on-location from NHL events such as Winter Classic,
All-Star, Entry Draft and Stanley Cup Final and the signature daily live
highlight show – NHL on the Fly –
which airs nightly throughout the hockey season.

The transport agreement between the two companies ensures that NHL
Network will be available to all IP-PRIME operators throughout United
States. Each operator then will have to sign an individual carriage deal
with NHL Network in order to offer the Network to its subscribers.

Established as a division of SES AMERICOM, IP-PRIME is now delivering
television signals into communities in 21 states. IP-PRIME is a complete
turnkey IPTV solution that telecom carriers and cable operators can use
today to provide their subscribers with the content that they demand
including 32 channels of HD, plus another 275 SD channels; music and PPV
channels. IP-PRIME minimizes the risks associated with a complex
technical integration by simplifying program acquisition challenges and
lowering companies’ financial risks for
launching a TV service. In addition to being fully customizable to suit
the specific needs of its customers, IP-PRIME protects customers’
brands by allowing the television service to be marketed and sold under
each operator’s own brand.