Josh posted a good piece this morning about the NHL pursuing fantasy sports as a great marketing opportunity. I have a feeling, however, that the "next big thing" for the NHL is going to be HDTV, and they can't afford to miss this golden opportunity. In 2009, the FCC is flipping the switch, making HDTV the broadcast standard, supplanting the current "square" NTSC format.The impact that this should have on sports like hockey and soccer is huge. Everyone knows just how exciting a hockey game is, when you're at the game. Hockey is a hard sport to watch on NTSC-TV. Most of the time, you're not able to see a play fully develop. With HDTV, you're able to watch the entire play, including longer passes, big hits that set up a breakaway opportunity, and substitutions. Besides that, HDTV is sharper, with brighter colors - and NHL uniforms are sharp, colorful, bold - it's a perfect match.
The NHL should invest a majority of their marketing dollars in promoting the "new" NHL, in widescreen format. Unlike other sports, where they change the rules to improve the game (see, defense in basketball, penalties in football, etc) - hockey can just focus on people being able to see the game. It's an awakening. A new beginning. And this is coming from a Whalers fan.
3 comments:
Um, didn't the NHL have one full season of HD before the lockout? Anyway, I've watched NHL games in HD and it is certainly an improvement. Now if they could just invent some technology to make it look more like football....
Bob - everyone is going to be forced to watch the games in widescreen format in 2009 - which is a good thing.
Wait -- everyone is going to be forced to watch hockey?! I thought this was America, dammit!
Post a Comment