GoPro is trying to change the way people view sports on TV and it’s starting with hockey fans.
As part of a partnership with the National Hockey League (NHL) and the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) — the action-cam maker’s first with a major pro sports league — GoPro cameras will be worn by players throughout the 2015 NHL All-Star Weekend being held January 23-25 in Columbus, Ohio.
The cameras will wirelessly deliver live, real-time HD video from the players during the skills competition on Saturday as well as other views from the ice during the NHL All-Star Game on Sunday. Both days of competition can be seen on NBCSN, CBC and TVA Sports starting at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday and 5 p.m. ET on Sunday.
Making the live-streaming possible is a wireless transmitter GoPro developed with video broadcast technology provider Vislink for GoPro’s Professional Broadcast Solution. Vislink says the transmitter is the smallest and lightest made for professional broadcasting while consuming the least power. (If you want an idea of its size, head to about the 1:30 mark of this clip of Colten Moore winning gold at the X Games Aspen 2015 and you can see it on his helmet.)
GoPro cameras will be used in NHL games beyond the All-Star Game and, as part of the agreement, you’ll be able to watch NHL video content on GoPro’s dedicated YouTube channel. In return, you can expect GoPro’s brand to be highly visible throughout the NHL’s broadcasts, website and social media presence.