NHL Cracks Down on Live Streaming at Its Hockey Games
By social media editor Melony Roy
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- As the popularity of live video-streaming apps such as Periscope and Meerkat continue to grow, one professional sports league is cracking down on live streaming at its venues.
The National Hockey League says it doesn't want fans or news organizations to live-stream hockey action before, during, or after games.
NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly sent a memo to team presidents and credentialed media reiterating the league's policy on streaming footage.
"NHL media credentials prohibit any 'unauthorized use of any transmission, picture or other depiction or description of game action, game information, player interview or other arena activity… without prior written approval of' NHL or the team as applicable. Without limiting the generality of the credential language, any streaming of footage in violation of the NHL's Broadcast Guidelines (including, for example, live streaming inside the arena less than 30 minutes before the start of the game) and Media Access Policy is expressly prohibited," it said in part.
Basically, fans and reporters aren't allowed to live-stream the action from inside an arena with a smartphone apps such as Meerkat or Periscope.
The NHL already has its own Periscope account with more than 20,000 followers. As the tech site Mashable notes, there's a wealth of branding opportunities -- like rinkside live streams of team warmups and exclusive interviews with players and coaches.
Don't be surprised if other professional sports leagues follow in NHL footsteps, restricting the use of live-streaming apps.