Network to Introduce Puck-Tracking and Telestrator Technology in NHL Telecasts

VERSUS OPENS 2008-09 NHL REGULAR SEASON IN NORTH AMERICA
ON OCTOBER 9 WITH DOUBLE-HEADER, INLCUDING STANLEY CUP CHAMPION RED WINGS HOME OPENER

Versus

NEW YORK, NY (October 7, 2008)—VERSUS, the network that celebrates real competition and the exclusive cable television home of the National Hockey League (NHL), will air a double-header on Thursday, October 9, featuring the 2008 Stanley Cup Champion Detroit Red Wings on home ice as they take on the Toronto Maple Leafs at 7:00 p.m. ET followed by a 10:00 p.m. ET clash between the Colorado Avalanche and Boston Bruins. The U.S. opening night of the 2008-09 NHL season follows VERSUS’ coverage of an international double-header on October 5 when the New York Rangers defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning, 2-1, to sweep the two-games series in Prague and the Ottawa Senators beat the Pittsburgh Penguins, 3-1, to split the two-games in Stockholm.

Each NHL season, VERSUS seeks to institute new production enhancements to provide a better viewing experience for fans. This year VERSUS is rolling out a new puck-tracking system that will digitally track the puck and allow viewers to follow the play with greater ease when analysts are discussing puck movement and its importance to specific highlights. Puck-tracking will only be used during the network’s Hockey Central studio show and during intermissions to emphasize highlights and will not be used during live game play. The virtual telestrator utilized in this year’s NHL telecasts, first introduced in the network’s college football coverage and Tour de France telecasts, allows analysts to highlight and break down plays in a more vibrant and visually engaging way.

VERSUS is entering the 2008-09 NHL season with tremendous momentum based on double-digit ratings and viewership growth last year in the regular season and through each round of the playoffs, including the first two games of the Stanley Cup Final. Most notably, the Conference Final round of the 2008 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs and Games 1 and 2 of the 2008 NHL Stanley Cup Final were the highest-rated and most-watched NHL postseason games on cable since 2002, while Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final was the most watched telecast in network history.

“After a hugely successful 2007-08 season and a great international opening weekend, we’re eagerly anticipating the stateside season opener as the Red Wings raise their Stanley Cup banner on home ice,” said Marc Fein, Executive Vice President of Programming, Production and Business Operations for VERSUS.

“VERSUS prides itself on super-serving fans and, with production enhancements such as puck-tracking and the virtual telestrator, we will be able to give hard-core fans more in-depth analysis and bring a greater understanding of the game to the casual viewer.”

All of the members of VERSUS’ stellar announce team will return for the 2008-09 season. On October 9, Mike ‘Doc’ Emrick, Eddie Olczyk and Bob Harwood will serve as the in-arena team in Detroit, while Joe Beninati, Andy Brickley and Christine Simpson will be on-site in Colorado. The network will, as always, wrap up each night of its NHL coverage with its NHL studio show, Hockey Central, with host Bill Patrick and analysts Keith Jones and Brian Engblom. Ratings for Hockey Central last season also saw significant viewership gains during both the regular season (up 30%) and playoffs (up 77%) compared to the 2006-07 season.

Among the regular segments on Hockey Central are the following:
• Keith Jones’ Odd Man Rush, Keith’s unique look at the plays and players who have put themselves in the spotlight, whether for good or bad
• Brian Engblom’s Reality Check, Brian’s personal opinion on NHL issues
• Highlights from games not airing on VERSUS, as well as Plays of the Week
• Parting Shots; where Engblom and Jones debate topics in rapid-fire fashion
• Live-Look-Ins wherever possible, bringing viewers live action from games being played concurrently during VERSUS’ telecast
• Features on NHL players away from the ice

As part of the network’s October 9, game coverage VERSUS will air portions of the NHL Face-Off Rocks 2008; an opening day spectacular starring multi-platinum selling rock band Def Leppard and Alanis Morissette. Def Leppard will perform their hockey-inspired hit single, “C’mon, C’mon” from Fox Theatre in Detroit and Grammy award-winning recording artist Alanis Morissette will perform via satellite from Montreal.

Source: A Versus Media Release