GoPro has inked a partnership with the National Hockey League (NHL) and the National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA) that'll see the league utilize the action camera maker's equipment to capture footage for live broadcast on television and across various social media platforms.
It's a move that both Go Pro and the NHL believe will bring fans closer than ever to the action that unfolds on the ice. And they won't have to wait long to get their taste of game action as the cameras will be deployed during Saturday's NHL All-Star Skills Competition and on Sunday during the actual game.
Normally, GoPro footage is captured and recorded onto a memory card within the camera but during a live game, that simply isn't feasible. To overcome this, GoPro worked with video technology company Vislink to create a small transmitter for each camera capable of wirelessly beaming HD footage to the control room for immediate playback during a telecast.
The All-Star weekend is being used a proving ground for the technology according to Paul Crandell, GoPro's vice president of marketing. Moving forward, they'll work with the NHL and players to tweak things so that everyone is comfortable with the use of the cameras during regular games.
The deal is the first of its kind for GoPro and among the first in which a live broadcast will use GoPro footage. If successful, it could open the doors for other leagues to bring GoPro cameras to their world which will no doubt appease investors.