Rogers customers to experience biggest NHL innovation since the replay

Exclusive for Rogers customers - GamePlus puts fans right on the ice with unique camera feeds and multiple camera replays

Beta version will launch in time for puck drop on October 8

TORONTO, Oct. 6, 2014 /CNW/ - Hockey fans, it's like nothing you've ever seen before. Rogers today unveiled GamePlus™, an awesome new experience within Rogers™ NHL GameCentre LIVE™ that includes revolutionary camera angles, more interviews and analysis exclusively for Rogers customers on their mobiles and tablets.

"GamePlus is a game changer.  It combines the latest in broadcast technology together with mobile app technology and we've invested more than $10 million to create this outstanding experience. We've secretly tested a number of high tech cameras since early summer to make sure fans get a completely new and unique way to watch the game on mobiles and tablets," said Keith Pelley, President, Rogers Media.  "It puts customers in control and gives them access to angles they've never had before on any screen.  Fans who disagree with a ref's call can now see the game exactly as the ref sees it. They can also watch multiple replay angles of the main plays in the game."

GamePlus features the following innovative cameras and angles, which will be used in different combinations at different games:

• Sky Cam sits at the 200 level in the Air Canada Centre and follows the puck red line to red line at six metres per second;
• Ref Cam is on the referee's helmet and puts fans on the ice to get in on face offs, breakaways and goals;
• POV Cam spotlights the hustle from inside the blue lines and for the first time inside the players' benches;
• Star Cam tracks a single player throughout the game no matter where the puck goes;
• Goal Line Cam provides a top-down view of the ice, directly above the offensive action;
• MyReplay lets fans select multiple replay angles to analyze key plays during the game, including goals, power plays, penalty kills, and the ref's tough calls.

In pre-season testing last week, the Rogers crew was able to create up to eight camera replay angles of major plays and have them available on mobiles and tablets in less than three minutes after the action happened.  "We are using so much cutting-edge technology here that it will be fascinating to see how fans want to use it," said Pelley.

GamePlus creates an exclusive second-screen hockey experience.  Fans can watch the live game on TV while pulling up the Ref Cam, Sky Cam or a MyReplay on their mobiles or tablets.  GamePlus gives fans access to some of these unique camera angles for select NHL games each week plus select Stanley Cup® Playoff games, the NHL® All Star Game, and the 2015 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic®. 

"The new camera angles really bring you inside the game, and give you a feel for the speed and intensity the players experience.  Each camera gives the fan a different and unique perspective," said Mark Messier, NHL Hall of Famer and Rogers NHL Ambassador.  "The view from the ref's helmet makes me feel like I'm back on the ice."

More than just cameras and angles, GamePlus also brings fans exclusive interviews, analysis, previews, NHL news of the day, and original video-on-demand content produced throughout the season.

Rogers wireless, cable, Internet and home phone customers who subscribe to Rogers NHL GameCentre LIVE™ will have exclusive access to GamePlus. Available for download starting today, Rogers NHL GameCentre LIVE™ is an upgraded online destination for customers to live stream more than 50 per cent more NHL games this season, including the Stanley Cup® Final, on any screen. Rogers wireless data and Hi-Speed Internet customers will get a free subscription until December 31*.  For more information visit www.rogers.com/nhl.

*Standard data overage/roaming charges, blackouts, and other restrictions apply. See rogers.com/nhl for full details.

NHL, the NHL Shield, the word mark and image of the Stanley Cup and the word mark NHL Winter Classic are registered trademarks and NHL GameCentre LIVE, GameCentre LIVE, NHL Vault, NHL All-Star Game and NHL Centre Ice are trademarks of the National Hockey League.  NHL and NHL team marks are the property of the NHL and its teams.  © NHL 2014.  All Rights Reserved. Rogers, Rogers & Design, Sportsnet, Hometown Hockey, GamePlus, Share Everything and related brand names and logos are trademarks of Rogers Communications Inc. or an affiliate. ©2014

About Rogers Communications Inc.

Rogers Communications is a leading diversified public Canadian communications and media company. We are Canada's largest provider of wireless communications services and one of Canada's leading providers of cable television, high-speed Internet and telephony services to consumers and businesses. Through Rogers Media, we are engaged in radio and television broadcasting, televised shopping, magazines and trade publications, sports entertainment, and digital media.

We are publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: RCI.A and RCI.B) and on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: RCI).

SOURCE Rogers Communications Inc.

Image with caption: "The Ref Cam (pictured) puts fans right on the ice to get in on all action, including face offs, breakaways and goals. (CNW Group/Rogers Communications Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20141006_C1952_PHOTO_EN_6349.jpg

Image with caption: "The Sky Cam (pictured) sits at the 200 level at the Air Canada Centre, and follows the game action from red line to red line at 6 metres per second. (CNW Group/Rogers Communications Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20141006_C1952_PHOTO_EN_6350.jpg

Image with caption: "The POV Cam (pictured) spotlights the hustle from inside the blue lines and is also for the first time inside the players’ bench. (CNW Group/Rogers Communications Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20141006_C1952_PHOTO_EN_6351.jpg