Designing the Future of Sports Fan Engagement With 5G: Rogers, Sportsnet, and University of Waterloo Team Up for Hockey Hack...
November 16 2020 - 9:00AM
Rogers Communications, Sportsnet, and the University of Waterloo
today announced the launch of the Sportsnet Hockey Hack: Powered by
Rogers 5G. The virtual hackathon offers a unique opportunity for
students to design applications to enhance the fan experience for
Sportsnet viewers, using Rogers’s 5G technology and data from the
NHL’s Puck and Player Tracking system during the 2020 Stanley Cup
Playoffs.
The participating teams of students will also take
advantage of Intel technology, software tools and expertise,
including Intel Smart Edge and OpenVINO, to build applications
designed to create fun, immersive viewing experiences for Sportsnet
and NHL fans. Potential solutions may involve augmented reality and
second screen experiences, as well as fantasy and other gaming or
e-commerce applications.
“The next generation of sports fans will engage
with and experience our broadcasts in ways we can’t even imagine
today,” said Bart Yabsley, President, Sportsnet. “As Sportsnet
continues to be a leader in sports technology innovation, we are
excited to work with some of Canada’s top young minds at the
University of Waterloo to discover how Rogers 5G technology can
change the way millions of NHL fans watch and engage with the
sport.”
Today Rogers also announced a 5G program dedicated
to the research and development of sports and fan engagement. The
new program is included in its three-year partnership agreement
with the University of Waterloo to advance 5G research in the
Toronto-Waterloo tech corridor. In September, Rogers also lit up
the University of Waterloo’s 5G Smart Campus to support university
researchers testing 5G applications in a real-world setting such as
smart city infrastructure monitoring and alerting systems, asset
tracking technologies, and more.
“5G is at our doorstep and it’s poised to change
the world as we know it. Fan engagement is a very interesting
use-case and one that will really benefit from the ultra-low
latency of this next generation technology,” said Jorge Fernandes,
Chief Technology and Information Officer, Rogers Communications.
“Our work with the University of Waterloo focuses on bringing
together our country’s brightest minds to advance Canada’s 5G
roadmap and I’m excited to see what the students come up with at
this hackathon.”
With the guidance of experts, mentors, and feedback
from stakeholders, each student team will work throughout the week
to create a working prototype of their application and showcase
their idea to a panel of judges in hopes of earning prizes, job
placement opportunities, and potential funding to transform the
prototype into reality. The judges are Bart Yabsley (President,
Sportsnet), Mina Chan (VP Video and Entertainment Services, Rogers
Communications), Jonathan Kyle (Engineering Director, Intel), Grant
Nodine (Senior Vice President, Technology, NHL), and Marisa
Benjamin (Research Communications Officer, University of
Waterloo).
"The University of Waterloo is very proud to be
working with Rogers, Sportsnet, and the NHL to make the experience
of watching a game on TV more interesting and interactive for
hockey fans," said Bridget Moloney, Managing Director of Waterloo's
Gateway for Enterprises to Discover Innovation (GEDI).
"Waterloo has a proud tradition of student
innovation. This project will give our students the chance to
interact with cutting-edge 5G technology and will really showcase
how these bright young people will shape the future of corporate
Canada," said Carly Cameron, Manager of Entrepreneurship Experience
at Concept, the campus-focused entrepreneurship unit leading the
hackathon.
About University of WaterlooThe
University of Waterloo is at the forefront of innovation and is
home to transformational research and inspired learning. Located in
the heart of Canada's technology hub, Waterloo is growing a network
of global partnerships that will shape the future by working beyond
disciplines and building bridges with industry, institutions and
communities.
About RogersRogers is a proud
Canadian company dedicated to making more possible for Canadians
each and every day. Our founder, Ted Rogers, purchased his first
radio station, CHFI, in 1960. We have grown to become a leading
technology and media company that strives to provide the very best
in wireless, residential, sports, and media to Canadians and
Canadian businesses. Our shares are publicly traded on the Toronto
Stock Exchange (TSX: RCI.A and RCI.B) and on the New York Stock
Exchange (NYSE: RCI). If you want to find out more about us, visit
about.rogers.com.
About SportsnetSportsnet is Canada’s #1 sports
network. Uniting Canadians through sport, Sportsnet’s multimedia
offerings include Sportsnet (consisting of 4 regional channels:
East, Ontario, West, and Pacific), Sportsnet ONE, Sportsnet 360,
Sportsnet World, the Sportsnet Radio Network, Sportsnet.ca,
Sportsnet NOW, SN NOW+, the Sportsnet app, and podcasts. Sportsnet
is the official Canadian NHL national multiplatform rights holder,
and is the regional broadcaster for the Vancouver Canucks, Calgary
Flames, Edmonton Oilers, and Toronto Maple Leafs. Sportsnet also
has extensive coverage of the Toronto Blue Jays and Toronto
Raptors, as well as NBA, MLB, Grand Slam of Curling, Rogers Cup,
CHL, IndyCar, WWE, Super League Rugby, Premiership Rugby,
Bundesliga, FA WSL, and FA Cup. Sportsnet is part of Rogers Sports
& Media, which is a subsidiary of Rogers Communications Inc.
(TSX, NYSE: RCI). Visit Sportsnet.ca.
Media Contacts
Sportsnet: Jason Jackson,
jason.jackson1@rci.rogers.com, 416.602.4033Rogers
Communications: media@rci.rogers.com,
647.747.5118University of Waterloo: Rebecca
Elming, relming@uwaterloo.ca, 647.459.8313
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