The NHL has brought animated streaming to its game with its alternate «NHL Big City Greens Classic» telecast of the New York Rangers-Washington Capitals matchup on Tuesday night.
It is a fully animated broadcast that uses live, real-time animations of players on the ice modeled after the Disney children’s series, «Big City Greens.»
The broadcast has received some surprise reactions on social media as many cannot believe what they are seeing.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Mika Zibanejad #93 of the New York Rangers scores at 4:09 of the first period against the Washington Capitals at Madison Square Garden on March 14, 2023 in New York City. (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
«This might be the most hilariously insane thing I’ve ever seen in televised sports,» wrote one Twitter user. «…For random rarities, you can’t beat it.»
«More people need to see Disney’s Big City Greens version of the Rangers and Capitals. It’s amazing and they need to do a LOT more of these to appeal to the younger fans,» another user said.
HURRICANE STAR EXTREME TO MISS REST OF SEASON AFTER RECEIVING NEWS OF HORRIBLE INJURIES
That’s exactly the league’s goal with its partnership with ESPN and Disney to bring this alternate broadcast.
«Working with the Disney Channel and the NHL, we are producing a broadcast that will reach a new and different audience and help grow the hockey fan base even further,» said Ilan Ben-Hanan, ESPN’s senior vice president of Programming and Acquisitions. an official statement in transmission. «‘Big City Greens’ has a strong following in a younger audience that we’re excited to tap into by offering a fun and creative way to enjoy the game on Disney platforms.»
Nicolas Aube-Kubel #96 of the Washington Capitals celebrates after scoring a goal in the first period against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on March 14, 2023 in New York City. (Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images)
The broadcast is using positioning data from NHL Edge, which is its puck and player tracking, to recreate actual Madison Square Garden action on the ice using characters from «Big City Greens.» ESPN commentators and the voices of the show’s characters are also used during the broadcast.
MAPLE LEAFS FANS PRACTICE US NATIONAL ANTHEM IN TORONTO AFTER SINGER’S MIC CUTS OUT
All of the professional sports leagues continue to look at different ways to grow their respective games, and the NHL is certainly thinking outside the box with this one.
New York Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin (31) is pictured during the first period of the National Hockey League game between the Washington Capitals and the New York Rangers on March 14, 2023 at Madison Square Garden from New York, NY. (Joshua Sarner/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
It’s the first broadcast of its kind that is clearly drawing interest among hockey fans.