NHL.tv replaced by ESPN+, and not available in Australia/NZ
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That sucks. My friend has been trying to grow the game down there and does a Canada vs. US game there every year. You would think with an Australian playing in the NHL recently and borderline NHLer that they would have easier access.I am in Australia and have had NHL.tv for about 7-8 years. Great product.
Just tried to stream a pre-season game and have discovered they have dropped support for Australia and NZ
Other Australian users, have you managed to figure out how to stream games yet? NHL.com suggests ESPN, but they just redirect you to Foxtel/Optus Fetch, or Kayo. I have Kayo, but the experience is not comparable of what was previously available via NHL.tv, and I am unlikely to see games from my preferred team.
Please note - I’m not interested in answers like “use a VPN” or “use a free/illegal” method. I want to know what the replacement is for NHL.TV in my country so that I can subscribe.
Mods - I wasn’t sure where to post this one. Thanks in advance for relocating if necessary.
AS for the free illegal, I understand why people wouldn't want to, but when they take away those options I definetly would. I actually did.
I don't watch cable. I don't need it. I live in Toronto and I am a Devil but but also watch the Leafs as I am a Leaf fan as well. But I get blacked out becasue I choose not to pay for cable. So I essentially got rid of my NHL network, and stream for free becasue Rogers and Bell own the cable companies and if you don't buy cable you cannot watch the team through the NHL network. Could also be a TV deal. Either way. They lose my money. All of them.
Deadpool8812
Registered User
- Feb 10, 2018
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Footy and rugby are too popular down there. There's also soccer, basketball, and netball, among others. For a country that has minimal ice availability for an expensive sport (compared to the others), hockey will never be that popular Down Under no matter how many Australians make it to the NHL.
hangman005
It's my first day.
Not sure if I'm reading it right but I'd have to be a sky subscriber? Can't we just cut out the middle man and let me subscribe direct.
Maple Leaf
VIP
- Sep 18, 2009
- 9,678
- 4,945
I agree. But I rememeber saying the same thing about California, Arizona, Florida and Texas. things change and now we have many players from those markets playing in the NHL. Not to mention someone from Australia.
Even in the upper states like NY and Michigan. As a Canadian I was fortunate playing in really good hockey rinks. I also saw the warn down terrible ice rinks that even the US had in the 70s and 80's and have seen the improvement there. I remember playing in more than one arena when the puck went out of bounds, not from being shot over the glass, but from going under the boards. The quality of arenas most likely due to popularity has improved drastically.
You didn't hear of hockey rinks in Florida or California back in the 80s, now they are a lot more common. I get location and lack of an NHL team is hindering, but you never know. There are thousands that show up to watch border line NHL players in the Icehockey classic in australia and NZ.
Look Up
Rev up your .....batteries?
- Oct 3, 2013
- 1,403
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Exactly. If they want more Taro Tsujimotos playing in the league they better get this fixed soon.
David Bruce Banner
Acid Raven Bed Burn
WADEugottaBELAKthat
Nikishin turning heads.
Yeah it took them years to fix it. And in the meantime I moved on. Kind of like when the ex-girlfriend who dumped you comes back and you’re simply over it.
But I certainly appreciate your kind gesture of trying to enlighten and help me. Thank you for that
The league has discontinued the NHL.tv service altogether for North America.
The reason is that they are now using the ESPN+ streaming service with their new partner, and it will continue to offer streaming services to those who want to watch all NHL games online (minus local blackouts and national broadcaster exclusivity). ESPN+ is only now, as of just a few days, rolling out this service for the NHL for the first time. There will be hiccups in core North American regions, and no doubt growing pains, but I think the plan is to make it possible for NHL.tv viewers to have an option on ESPN+ and lose no coverage. What you received on NHl.tv you should be able to receive on ESPN+ online. If you have a VPN, you should be good.
Whether that will be as good or convenient, or cost effective, versus NHL.tv is another matter. That's up to the individual to determine. I think they plan to make it available widely, though.
To be honest, cable services always used to roll out their NHL Center Ice subscription options at the very last minute too, well into pre-season, before you could order. It's only been the last few years that you didn't have to do this every year, as the NHL made it possible to auto-renew your NHL.tv subscription. But the norm was always that there were pre-season hiccups. There will be this year too, but maybe not next year if you're already a subcriber.
The reason is that they are now using the ESPN+ streaming service with their new partner, and it will continue to offer streaming services to those who want to watch all NHL games online (minus local blackouts and national broadcaster exclusivity). ESPN+ is only now, as of just a few days, rolling out this service for the NHL for the first time. There will be hiccups in core North American regions, and no doubt growing pains, but I think the plan is to make it possible for NHL.tv viewers to have an option on ESPN+ and lose no coverage. What you received on NHl.tv you should be able to receive on ESPN+ online. If you have a VPN, you should be good.
Whether that will be as good or convenient, or cost effective, versus NHL.tv is another matter. That's up to the individual to determine. I think they plan to make it available widely, though.
To be honest, cable services always used to roll out their NHL Center Ice subscription options at the very last minute too, well into pre-season, before you could order. It's only been the last few years that you didn't have to do this every year, as the NHL made it possible to auto-renew your NHL.tv subscription. But the norm was always that there were pre-season hiccups. There will be this year too, but maybe not next year if you're already a subcriber.
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This is really helpful. Thanks.
So, in summary…
- ESPN+ is the replacement platform, but we don’t get it (so use a VPN if we want that)
- ESPN App lets us live stream. The only way to get access is to have a Foxtel or Fetch account (in Oz) or Sky (in NZ)
What we don’t know yet about the ESPN App…
- Can games be watched on demand (full replays) later on?
- Will there be condensed games?
- Can we cast/airplay from the App, or do I have to watch it on my phone?
Casting/AirPlay has been restricted for some sports previously here (e.g. before this year the Foxtel deal allowed NRL games on-device but no casting).
This timely article came out today, even addressing Aussie issues. It's behind yet another subscription pay wall, unfortunately.
A viewing guide on how to watch NHL hockey on American television or streaming platforms
It cites this link for international viewers seeking this answer for all 109 countries served, on the NHL's website: Where to Stream
It looks like they direct you to subscribe to the ESPN App in Australia and New Zealand.
A viewing guide on how to watch NHL hockey on American television or streaming platforms
It cites this link for international viewers seeking this answer for all 109 countries served, on the NHL's website: Where to Stream
It looks like they direct you to subscribe to the ESPN App in Australia and New Zealand.
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I guess I won't be watching any NHL this year. Too bad. I paid for the whole season last year and was set to do it again.
But I'm not subscribing to something I don't need to then also subscribe for NHL. Or is the NHL free then? It wouldn't matter I don't think. I won't pay way too much to subscribe to something that I won't use at all except for NHL games. It also seems way too complicated this year. I was able to just open the NHL app on my playstation and watch everything in HD. Sigh.
Looks like it's just the highlights for me this year.
But I'm not subscribing to something I don't need to then also subscribe for NHL. Or is the NHL free then? It wouldn't matter I don't think. I won't pay way too much to subscribe to something that I won't use at all except for NHL games. It also seems way too complicated this year. I was able to just open the NHL app on my playstation and watch everything in HD. Sigh.
Looks like it's just the highlights for me this year.
Voight
#winning
Hatfield
Registered User
- Jan 27, 2007
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yada
move 2 dallas 4 work
Espn+ games do NOT have to be watched live. None of their games in any other sport has to be 100% live. Games get archived but the problem is the organization on the app is shit.
For those following along at home, I’ve done some research and this seems like path I will take (I looked in to buying Fetch via my ISP but it wasn’t worth it).
1. Buy a Fetch mini from a retailer for ~$170. I don’t actually need the box, but you can’t have an account without it
2. plug in the box
3. Activate Fetch TV (one off activation fee of $1)
4. From the menu, subscribe to the Fetch “Vibe” pack which includes ESPN for $6/month
5. Ignore the existence of the box for the next 7 months
6. Use the ESPN App with my Fetch credentials
7. Go back in to the box at the end of hockey season and temporarily remove the Vibe pack
8. Hope that casting from the ESPN App is supported
Not quite as tidy as just paying for NHL.tv and watching it however and wherever I like, but a passable solution, and if they don’t change it again next season I’m only on the hook for the $6/month
1. Buy a Fetch mini from a retailer for ~$170. I don’t actually need the box, but you can’t have an account without it
2. plug in the box
3. Activate Fetch TV (one off activation fee of $1)
4. From the menu, subscribe to the Fetch “Vibe” pack which includes ESPN for $6/month
5. Ignore the existence of the box for the next 7 months
6. Use the ESPN App with my Fetch credentials
7. Go back in to the box at the end of hockey season and temporarily remove the Vibe pack
8. Hope that casting from the ESPN App is supported
Not quite as tidy as just paying for NHL.tv and watching it however and wherever I like, but a passable solution, and if they don’t change it again next season I’m only on the hook for the $6/month
Thanks - but note this is not ESPN+. It’s a different service/app for Australia only, so we can only confirm this with someone who has tried it here.
For those following along at home, I’ve done some research and this seems like path I will take (I looked in to buying Fetch via my ISP but it wasn’t worth it).
1. Buy a Fetch mini from a retailer for ~$170. I don’t actually need the box, but you can’t have an account without it
2. plug in the box
3. Activate Fetch TV (one off activation fee of $1)
4. From the menu, subscribe to the Fetch “Vibe” pack which includes ESPN for $6/month
5. Ignore the existence of the box for the next 7 months
6. Use the ESPN App with my Fetch credentials
7. Go back in to the box at the end of hockey season and temporarily remove the Vibe pack
8. Hope that casting from the ESPN App is supported
Not quite as tidy as just paying for NHL.tv and watching it however and wherever I like, but a passable solution, and if they don’t change it again next season I’m only on the hook for the $6/month
Is there a way to watch on a TV instead of a computer/phone? I'm not sure this is worth it, as I don't really trust that it will work at all. It really isn't clear that I'd be able to watch the Jets games live or on demand or how I'd even be able to find them. RIP to the good old NHL app.
Hopefully the casting is a goer. That’s a good option for my, as my house is full of AppleTV’s and ChromeCasts. Doesn’t help you on the PlayStation though unless they add the ESPN app.
I’ve tried different ways over the years. First time was on PS3 but it was super glitchy. Then I used to have a laptop plugged in to a projector, and also PS4. When the phone/AppleTV App came along though it was a game changer.
It’s not just the App. The thing will NHL.TV is that I could always subscribe to the content, but I couldn’t always have my choice of devices so needed to figure out different setups a few times. This ESPN move makes a big change in the way we can access the actual content.
I’ll report back on my progress as I go
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Express VPN will work its expensive but worth it
When I was working up in Vancouver 2 years ago I used that to watch ESPN+, TNT, USA, TBS, Showtime, Cinemax, ect.....
They don't have any of those channels only CTV, Global(?) TSN, Sportsnet.
Hell on Crave they had HBO and Showtime but it was so barebones no special sports or documentaries plus their movies weren't any good. Sorry about the rant but I was shocked with the channel differences.
When I was working up in Vancouver 2 years ago I used that to watch ESPN+, TNT, USA, TBS, Showtime, Cinemax, ect.....
They don't have any of those channels only CTV, Global(?) TSN, Sportsnet.
Hell on Crave they had HBO and Showtime but it was so barebones no special sports or documentaries plus their movies weren't any good. Sorry about the rant but I was shocked with the channel differences.
You can currently watch past games on the ESPN app that were aired on ESPN, it's a pain to find though. under the 'watch' tab, you can choose 'schedule & replays'. select ice hockey -> day
JustaFinnishGuy
Joonas Donskoi avi but not a SEA fan ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
We can watch, but not what we want to. As a Preds fan it is impossible to catch every game through Viasat.
