Release from 29.01.2021

ICE targets record media exposure

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The bet-at-home ICE Hockey League increased its media value by 13 percent season-on-season up to December. The return to linear television with the new free-TV partner PULS 24 and the expansion of the video streaming were among the key factors.

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The media value of the bet-at-home ICE Hockey League for the 20-21 season to the end of December is about 39 million Euros. Despite COVID-19 related challenges – late start of the season, an almost three-week break – season-on-season increase of 13 percent was achieved. The biggest increases were gained in the moving image (+11%) and online media (+16%) subsegments. The figures for the international TV partners from South Tyrol, Hungary and Slovakia are not yet available at present, which means that, in line with the trend, there will be an even bigger increase.

"It makes me proud that we have been able to achieve a significant increase in league media value during this challenging time. This confirms the professional work of our clubs, our partners and the league itself. With all have done one’s bit the bet-at-home ICE Hockey League successfully finds its way through the period marked by the pandemic," sums up League President Kommerzialrat Mag. Jochen Pildner-Steinburg.

Significant increase in moving image free-live
Together with the new free-TV partner PULS 24, the media value in the free-live area has been increased by more than a third (39%). "With our team of experts, the sports editorial team and a lot of passion, we are delighted to present hockey live and exclusively to the Austrian hockey community week after week on domestic free TV. A total of over 550.000 viewers have already watched the ICE on PULS 24, and in the playoffs, we are naturally looking forward to a further increase. By acquiring the NHL live rights, PULS 24 has finally been able to establish itself as the first port of call for hockey fans," sums up Mario Lenz, Director Group Sports Rights at PULS 24.

Streaming initiative brings record
The streaming initiative made possible by rights holder Sky Sport Austria – a total of 97 games were offered via online streaming by the end of December – led to a massive increase in live content in particular (+253%). The streaming offered on live.ice. hockey and various club homepages enabled almost 210 hours more live content to be offered. Through league/club streaming and linear free TV, the league achieved 29% more reach on PULS 24 game days via the screens than in the previous season, including viewers in the arenas.

"Rights holder Sky Sport Austria deserves a big thank you for granting the right for the period of the COVID-19 crisis to produce livestreams of those matches that are not exclusively shown on TV. The clubs immediately took advantage of this opportunity and within a very short time set up very good online productions of their home games. The quality of the broadcasts is already outstanding. This has enabled some streaming games alone to achieve a bigger reach than people sat in the arenas last year," knows ICE Managing Director Christian Feichtinger.

Rise in online media too
A strong increase of 16% was recorded for online media, and the figure achieved on mobile devices rose by almost a quarter (24%). Constant growth was also registered again on social medias (13% more followers overall). The average reach of posts was increased on both Facebook and Instagram. The figures in the print sector continue to be stable.

Schedule of upcoming TV games & streaming platforms
PULS24 | Sun, 31.01.2021, 4.30 pm: spusu Vienna Capitals – EC Red Bull Salzburg
SKY SPORT AUSTRIA | Fri, 29.01.2021, 7.15 pm: EC Red Bull Salzburg – EC-KAC
SKY SPORT AUSTRIA | Tue, 02.02.2021, 7.15 pm: Dornbirn Bulldogs – Hydro Fehérvár AV19
SKY SPORT AUSTRIA | Fri, 05.02.2021, 7.15 pm: spusu Vienna Capitals – EC-KAC
VB 33 | Sun, 31.01.2021, 4.30 pm: Moser Medical Graz99ers – HCB Südtirol Alperia
VB 33 | Tue, 02.02.2021, 7.45 pm: HCB Südtirol Alperia – EC-KAC
VB 33 | Fri, 05.02.2021, 7.15 pm: HCB Südtirol Alperia – EC GRAND Immo VSV
VB 33 | Sun, 07.02.2021, 5.30 pm: Steinbach Black Wings 1992 – HCB Südtirol Alperia

Home games of the spusu Vienna Capitals (pay-per-view) and EC Red Bull Salzburg (free) are streamed on the respective club websites, unless they are broadcast on TV. All other non-TV games are offered as pay-per-view stream on live.ice.hockey.


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