NHl Hockeyverse
01.
After the success of multiple standalone altcasts, The NHL challenged Beyond Sports to develop a concept that could derive greater value from NHL EDGE Positional Data and leverage partner IP from serialized content. The goal of the series was to create deeper engagement that encourages hockey fans of all ages to connect with NHL content through compelling storylines over a longer period of time. Powered by Beyond Sports’ cutting-edge technology, the technical challenge was to merge the real-time data from NHL EDGE Positional Data with Hawk-Eye Innovations' optical tracking to bring the action on the ice to life.
Objective
02.
Beyond Sports collaborated with the NHL to deliver all the action in The Hockeyverse, a virtual space where the NHL could broadcast serialized content for their fans. An ongoing concept “Matchup of the Week” brings fans into an animated world, creating avatars of NHL players, visualizing the on-ice action featuring fun facts, captivating stories and teenage commentators to give young fans and families a fresh way to experience the NHL. This first of its kind weekly TV show teleports viewers from the traditional stadium environment into the NHL Hockeyverse – an animated alternate universe in the Canadian outdoors.
The Hockeyverse also hosted various regional broadcasts, unlocking new growth opportunities for the League, Clubs, and partners through leveraging their IP. The expansion of these programs pushed the boundaries of creativity and technology, helping the NHL grow hockey fandom with new and existing audiences at the local, national, and international levels. Throughout the series we showcased the flexibility of our technology, with the series being fully operated by the NHL.
The solution
03.
Impact
The launch of the Hockeyverse has been a successful next step in showcasing the value of serialised virtual content, and how it provides viewers with an experience they can enjoy on a long term basis. The regional broadcasts were the perfect example of how The NHL can leverage IP, and expand its viewership. An example of this was the launch of the first non-English animated broadcast starring Dr Simi+, a leading health and wellness company in Latin America looking to expand into the U.S market.
The NHL were extremely satisfied with the results, stating "The scale of our projects required more coordination and effort than ever before, and we truly could not have achieved what we did without the amazing work and cooperation from the team at Beyond Sports."
