National Lacrosse League Launches NLL+, a Direct-to-Consumer Streaming Service for International Fans

National Lacrosse League Launches NLL , a Direct-to-Consumer Streaming Service for International Fans League looks to tap into hype in advance of box lacrosse's appearance at Los Angeles 2028 By Brandon Costa, Director of Digital

Tuesday, November 19, 2024 - 11:29 am

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The National Lacrosse League (NLL) has announced the launch of the NLL direct-to-consumer streaming service. Via the platform, international fans in markets across Europe and Asia will be able to watch live all 126 regular-season games and the entirety of the playoffs.

We have a mandate to grow the NLL globally, says Joel Feld, EVP, broadcast and content, NLL. Launching NLL is a huge step forward toward achieving that goal. For the first time, our games, replays, highlights, and original content will be available to consumers or fans outside of North America.

Fans in the U.S. can access NLL to watch highlights, full-game replays, and other content for free. All games are available to stream live on ESPN ; throughout the season, ESPN carried a minimum of 10 games on one of its linear channels. Canadian fans can stream live for free on NLL any game that's not broadcast on a linear channel by TSN.

NLL SVP, Technology and Broadcast Operations, Edward Derse estimates that the league looked at more than 10 vendors before partnering with Infront Labs on development and servicing of NLL . Infront is known globally for its support of international sports rightsholders and governing bodies, such as FIFA, FIS (International Ski and Snowboard Federation), and the governing bodies for many Olympic sports. Under the deal, the NLL will also work with WSC Sports to help produce and distribute automated highlights to appear on the service.

The NLL's move to further grow its international audience follows a successful 2024 postseason, when games were distributed to more countries than ever. Additionally, the 2024 World Lacrosse Box Championships helped advance a sport looking to generate hype heading into the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, where an NLL-style sixes lacrosse will return as a medal sport.

Our mission is steadfast in growing consumption of our league and introducing box lacrosse to an expansive global audience, says NLL Commissioner Brett Frood in an official release. With the launch of NLL , we're taking a major step toward achieving that goal. Lacrosse is experiencing rapid growth internationally, and we can now ensure that existing and new fans around the world will have even more access to our games, bringing them closer to their favorite NLL teams and players.

Beginning today, fans can create a free account at www.nll.com/plus to gain free access to the platform's content.

On the production side, the NLL continues to use its hybrid-REMI production model to produce its catalog of live games. Deploying solutions from BitFire, the NLL uses three centralized-production partners: Freedom Broadcast Studios (in Clifton, NJ) and Dragonfli Media Technologies (Salt Lake City) serve as REMI production hubs; Dome Productions (Toronto) produces games in Canada via both a traditional model featuring onsite trucks for TSN's linear NLL Game of the Week and a remote-production facility in Toronto.

The National Lacrosse League season begins on Friday, Nov. 29.

LINK:	https://www.sportsvideo.org/2024/11/19/national-lacrosse-league-launch...
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