NHL Yanks Videos

Hey folks, I just got off the phone with someone at the NHL. Looks like the NHL wants you to see video recaps, but they don’t want anyone to spread the word. I’m not sure exactly when they flipped the switch, but as of right now the NHL is no longer letting anyone embed any of their YouTube videos on any other site.

Can someone explain this to me? Isn’t the whole point of YouTube to get more eyeballs on a video? I really thought that the NHL was doing a smart thing by pushing the envelope and embracing Web 2.0 to get more hockey in front of more people, (other than the once a month NBC game and All-Star game on Versus, of course), but it turns out they just don’t get it.

They’re putting their videos on YouTube, but they don’t understand why they’re putting their videos on YouTube.

So, for the time being, you’ll have to click on the video recap to go to YouTube’s site, and then watch the video there. Of course there won’t be any news, any way to know if the game is any good, or (god forbid!) the actual score of the game, but that’s how the NHL wants you to consume their product.

9 Responses to “NHL Yanks Videos”

  1. […] Check out this link to a YouTube video with no embed code. Phillip also talks more about his reactions on the company blog. […]

  2. […] The NHL has a substantial presence on YouTube. However, they told one person who was legally embedding these videos on his site to skate to the penalty box. They have recently banned the ability to embed videos on other sites – something that CBS, NBC and others who have vids on YouTube gladly support. (Note HTML code on the right hand side) […]

  3. […] See that blank space above? That’s supposed to be the Isles/Pens highlights via the official NHL Videos on YouTube. In a stoke of pure marketing stupidity, the NHL has decided to stop allowing blogs and other sites to embed their highlights. From the Are You Watching This Blog: Hey folks, I just got off the phone with someone at the NHL. Looks like the NHL wants you to see video recaps, but they don’t want anyone to spread the word. I’m not sure exactly when they flipped the switch, but as of right now the NHL is no longer letting anyone embed any of their YouTube videos on any other site. […]

  4. NHL Bans YouTube Video Embeds…

    If you don’t like people sticking their fingers in your food then don’t let them in your kitchen. Unfortunately, the National Hockey League didn’t get the message. The NHL has a substantial presence on YouTube. However, they told one person…

  5. […] According to NewTeeVee, the NHL is backing away from a widely-acclaimed policy of allowing the use of video clips on YouTube. Despite NHL commissioner Gary Bettman’s Don Quixote-like insistence that the NHL succeed in the U.S., the sport continues to struggle. In fact, attendance in many U.S. markets is down dramatically from last year (although the NHL claims attendance is up because it counts giveaways and freebies). As a Canadian who continues the NHL part of our culture, you shake your head sometimes by some of the decisions made out of the league offices in New York. You wonder if the Bettman and his gang really understand hockey. For more check out Areyouwatchingthis.com and Steve Rubel. […]

  6. I run a hockey blog and, although I’ve never imbeded any video from either site it still seems completely dumb to have them online and not expect people to share them. Guess we’ll have to find other media for our sites.

  7. NHL on YouTube Embeds: Game On…

    An update to my post from last night. Keith Ritter, who runs the NHL’s digital business, writes in that despite earlier reports, the National Hockey League has not asked YouTube to change the way it serves video. In other words,…

  8. The NHL needs to take note of what the NFL does and just follow suit. Both in terms of the product on the field/rink, and the media coverage.

  9. In fact, attendance in many U.S. markets is down dramatically from last year。And you shake your head sometimes by some of the decisions made out of the league offices in New York.

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