How to Turn a Live Boston Bruins Hockey Broadcast Into a Cartoon

Tuesday night’s NHL hockey game between the Boston Bruins and Florida Panthers won’t just be a unique viewing experience for many young fans. It will also be a window into the rapidly evolving future of digitally enhanced sports broadcasting. Termed the “Best Snow Day Ever” by organizers, Tuesday’s showcase on the New England Sports Network is the latest in a growing trend of alternative broadcasts (or “altcasts”) across sports. It comes with a special twist: A fusion of STEM concepts with hockey, using a fully animated game telecast and various interactive features to turn foundational math concepts into fun, game-based exercises. It’s earned the moniker “STEMcast” as a result, a play on other altcast titles like the NFL’s “ManningCast.” This particular combination of animation and data-based broadcast elements is aimed primarily at younger viewers, who have demonstrated a growing interest in hockey. (For viewers who prefer the traditional broadcast, NESN will also make that availab ... Read full article.