SportBusiness.com

XM Radio ramps up NHL coverage

XM Radio is expanding its NHL play-by-play channels from six to nine in order to offer comprehensive coverage of the NHL season, which starts this weekend.

In addition to carrying the full schedule of NHL games, XM is the exclusive carrier of the 24-hour hockey talk radio channel NHL Home Ice, which offers the hockey news, commentary, call-in shows, interviews, and other special programming.

"For the first time, NHL fans can hear every game for every team on satellite radio," said Eric Logan, executive vice president of programming, XM Satellite Radio. "You can listen to your games all season long on XM, even if you live far away from your favorite team."

The 2007-2008 NHL season is XM's third season to carry NHL games, and its first as the exclusive satellite radio network of the league. XM and
the NHL have a long-term broadcast partnership that extends through 2015.