Five-Year Collaboration Includes Re-Launch of FIH OTT platform Watch.Hockey
The International Hockey Federation (FIH) and Endeavor Streaming have announced a five-year strategic partnership to launch a re-imagined version of FIH’s global streaming service, Watch.Hockey, and drive enhanced digital engagement and fan experience opportunities for the sport. The partnership will create a global content destination for hockey fans to access live action from all FIH competitions and other events from the global hockey community, throughout the year.
Launching ahead of a packed calendar of FIH events including the FIH Hockey Pro League, the FIH Hockey Nations Cup and the FIH Hockey Nations Cup 2, the enhanced service will stream more than 600 events live to fans around the world, including the FIH Hockey World Cup, the FIH Hockey Pro League, the FIH Hockey Nations Cup, the FIH Hockey Nations Cup 2, the FIH Hockey Junior World Cup, the FIH Hockey5s World Cup and the FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup. Fans will also be able to watch highlights and historical events from the FIH archive on Watch. Hockey, which will be available to access across web, smart TVs, iOS and Android mobile devices.
Under the partnership, Endeavor Streaming will support and develop the FIH’s D2C strategy to drive long-term digital reach and support its content engagement strategy, through business advisory, audience development, technical deployment, content operations, and end user customer service. Watch.Hockey will be powered by Endeavor Streaming’s Vesper Platform, a complete end-to-end streaming solution that enables teams, leagues, and federations to build upon and deliver highly profitable direct-to-consumer streaming experiences for their fans.
FIH President Tayyab Ikram said: “Developing and promoting the game is at the very top of the FIH mission. In this regard, the new version of our streaming platform, Watch.Hockey shall play an even bigger role than ever before in enhancing the visibility of hockey worldwide. By partnering with Endeavor Streaming, I’m delighted that we could win a true leader in this field to help us achieve this major objective for us, and reach the next level. We look forward to a successful partnership and a great outcome for all hockey fans around the world!”
Fred Santarpia, President at Endeavor Streaming said: “This partnership combines our world-class streaming technology and digital strategy capabilities to deliver sustained commercial growth for international hockey. Through our long-term collaboration, we’re not only creating a global destination for hockey fans, but helping FIH acquire, engage and grow its digital audience around the world.”
The partnership leverages Endeavor Streaming’s experience in delivering innovative direct-to-consumer streaming offerings and digital strategy for some of the world’s biggest sports leagues and federations, including the Union of European Football Association (UEFA), the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), Ligue 1 McDonald’s, World Rugby, and International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS).
