Gary Bettman announces new ways to make broadcasts more Inclusive for Rangers fans and all others
The NHL and Gary Bettman are finding new ways to capture new demographics through diverse broadcasting methods. The newest will debut on December 31st when the Chicago Blackhawks face off against the St. Louis Blues at Wrigley Field.
While the Blackhawks are dismal 1-5-0 in outdoor games, the NHL is looking to expand its horizons this winter. The NHL in ASL will debut at the event, which will be covered by Max in the US, and Sportsnet+ in Canada.
The goal for the NHL has been to grow the fanbase, and this time utilizing American Sign Language they hope to capture a wider range of audiences.
The CBC was the first network to utilize ASL when it covered the Stanley Cup Finals in the summer.
«Building off the tremendous success of our groundbreaking NHL in ASL broadcast for the 2024 Stanley Cup Final, we are proud to continue to demonstrate the League's commitment to providing a fully immersive and accessible viewing experience that specifically meets the needs of the Deaf community for our Legacy events as well, starting for the first time with this year's NHL Winter Classic,» said Steve Mayer, President, NHL Content and Events. «This is an NHL-led production for the Deaf by the Deaf, and we encourage all fans watching at home to tune-in to experience this special telecast.»
This is a great idea, as it broadens the scope of fans that the NHL is sorely lacking lately.
"This is a great first step of having representation, having deaf people on screen, having the Deaf community connect to people like them," said Brice Christianson, the founder and CEO of P-X-P, the company who will be doing the broadcast. "For the NHL to sign off on this and to believe in this, it's groundbreaking. It's truly historic and also they've doubled down and said that they want to continue to do this."
Not only will it increase the fanbase, but it will also increase revenue, and by that escrow for players. A verifiable win-win, and we should all be welcoming this new shift in direction.
"For us to be able to have this real-time coverage of play by play and colour commentary in American Sign Language being called directly as opposed to a re-interpretation is really what the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community want," said Kim Davis, the NHL's senior executive VP of social impact, growth initiatives and legislative affairs.
"It's what they deserve. That makes the game truly meaningful for them. It is not like you're re-interpreting for them basically from another language. They are hearing the game live in their own language and the way in which they understand it best."
"It's what they deserve. That makes the game truly meaningful for them. It is not like you're re-interpreting for them basically from another language. They are hearing the game live in their own language and the way in which they understand it best."
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 12 | 456 ANSWERS Gary Bettman announces new ways to make broadcasts more Inclusive for Rangers fans and all others Do you think NHL commissioner Gary Bettman is growing the fanbase correctly by introducing ASL at the Winter Classic? | ||
| Yes | 187 | 41 % |
| No | 269 | 59 % |
| List of polls | ||
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