from Greg Wyshynski of ESPN,
Wachtel confirmed that the NHL made two changes to the technology during the 2022-23 season: tweaking the brightness of the ads and applying some motion-blurring to them so they would better blend in during play.
He said the system uses artificial intelligence rendering to improve the look of the ads from game to game.
"We were able to do some things that we thought would enhance the viewing of the game. We still think that the viewing of the broadcast with DED is significantly better than the old static [ads] way," Wachtel said. "We continue to tweak it so that we make sure the viewing experience is as optimal as we can make it."
One of those tweaks might involve ads that include moving elements, which some fans found disorienting.
"Yes, there is the occasional funny meme of the car going one way and the player skating another way. Very infrequent, when you look at the totality of how many ads are running. We limit [the movement] to a few seconds," Wachtel said. "What we are doing, though, is continuing to look at what the motion is. At this point, we're not making any big changes, but we are looking at ways to perhaps tweak it -- to look at where and how these ads appear versus where the players and the puck might be at that moment on the ice."
Ads that move during play suck.
Right? It's a blatant demonstration of how little they care about the fans, the players, or the sport. Who are all these people who like the moving digital ads, outside of the corporate board rooms? Gary needs to talk to a fan once.
While the NHL is contemplating some of those critiques, the league said it believes most viewers have grown comfortable with the digital ad boards. The NHL said it has heard feedback that the technology actually makes hockey easier to watch on television.
"It was certainly the vocal minority. There's plenty of folks that think it's a much better viewing experience to watch the game," said Keith Wachtel, the NHL's chief business officer and executive vice president of global partnerships.
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What nonsense is this. Who actually said "it's easier to watch with digital ads" or "it's a much better viewing experience with these ads".
Quit trying to tell us how great it is for the fans. It's only great for those cashing in, the broadcasters and the league. They love the revenue stream and therefore it isn't going anywhere.
Next they are going to tell us how much the fans like the new advertising patches and are clamoring for more.
Just wait until they start putting 'prop bets' on the boards.
Just remove all of them. I know it will never happen.
Yeah, I just love crap distracting me while Im following the puck/watching a play. Just when is enough, enough?
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