ESPN and Disney Team Up for Second Annual NHL Big City Greens Classic Animated Broadcast

ESPN and Disney are teaming up once again to bring fans a unique and engaging viewing experience with the second-annual NHL Big City Greens Classic alternative broadcast. This time, the action on the ice will be replicated through animated characters from Disney Channel’s Big City Greens skating alongside NHL players.

The broadcast will feature cutting-edge technology, including Meta VR headsets for announcers to provide facial and upper-body motion capture, immersing them in the animated environment of “Times Circle.” The addition of Hawk-Eye optical tracking will enhance player and character movement, creating a more dynamic visual experience.

Commentators will wear Meta Quest Pro VR headsets to call the action from a studio in Bristol, allowing them to stand anywhere inside the virtual environment and provide a more immersive view of the game. The production workflow will be led by a team of experts coordinating the live animated feed with a 22-second delay from the traditional broadcast.

Disney Branded Television and ESPN Creative Studio collaborated closely on the production, with Disney leading the development of the storyline and theme, and ESPN handling the production of 3D animated elements in-house. Viewers can expect more frequent appearances of Big City Greens characters, including surprise cameos and original segments to advance the narrative.

The broadcast will be available on ESPN+, Disney Channel, Disney XD, and Disney+, with the traditional telecast airing on ABC and ESPN+. International viewers can catch the NHL Big City Greens Classic on Disney+ in selected countries.

With a team of experts and the power of Disney’s IP, ESPN and Disney are set to deliver a one-of-a-kind viewing experience that combines technology and storytelling in a unique and compelling way. Don’t miss out on the action as Cricket, Tilly, and the Green family hit the ice once again in this animated alternative broadcast.