Viasat Scores NHL Games

July 16, 2009 World Screen

STOCKHOLM: Modern Times Group has acquired the live-broadcasting rights to National Hockey League (NHL) games for Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark from ESPN.

MTG’s coverage of the sport kicks off in October for the 2009-2010 season. The company acquired the rights through ESPN, which distributes NHL coverage in the Nordic region and the rest of Europe.

The matches will air on Viasat Hockey in Sweden, which launches this September; on Viasat Sport in Norway; and on Viasat channels in Finland and Denmark. The deal covers five exclusive games a week during the October to April regular season, news and highlights from all NHL matches and co-exclusive rights with ESPN America to all of the Stanley Cup Playoff games between April and June. The agreement also provides live online streaming rights to all NHL matches for Viasat OnDemand in conjunction with ESPN360, ESPN’s broadband service.