I am trying to get back into watching hockey again, but the digital rink board ads are making it surprisingly difficult. When they slide or flicker my eyes snap to them instead of the play, and I end up losing sight of the puck, especially when it goes behind the net.

I cannot tell if this is an attention or sensory issue on my end or if the broadcasts have simply become more visually aggressive.

For people who watch regularly: Do the shifting digital ads distract you too, or do you barely notice them anymore?

I am genuinely trying to enjoy hockey again but my focus gets pulled away every few seconds and I am wondering how others experience this.

  • Christian@lemmy.mlEnglish
    17·
    1 month ago

    I did get used to them because I was already into hockey, but they are an abomination and will absolutely drive off potential new fans.

    • 🇾 🇪 🇿 🇿 🇪 🇾@lemmy.caOP
      6·
      1 month ago

      They need to bring in the glowing puck again. I thought it was stupid before but it makes sense now. Ironically I think this was brought in so Americans could see the puck easier. I could be wrong tho.

      • howrar@lemmy.ca
        9·
        1 month ago

        Unacceptable. If your attention is on the puck, then you’re not looking at the ads. This will lead to an arms race where the puck continues to glow increasingly brighter while ads also try to match in how stimulating they are.

      • everett@lemmy.ml
        7·
        1 month ago

        They should bring back the glowing puck technology but only for times when the puck is hidden from view behind the lower boards. X-ray vision please.

  • forrgott@lemmy.zip
    6·
    1 month ago

    I’m not into sports myself, but that sounds infuriating. I have no doubt they designed these ads specifically to cause the issues you’re describing. Do you watch in a browser? If so, have you tried Firefox? I actually wouldn’t be surprised if the broadcast is not compatible, but if it is you might try searching Firefox extensions for something to block the ads…

  • ryathal@sh.itjust.works
    6·
    1 month ago

    I’ve gotten used to the ads now. They’ve also been better about keeping them off the bottom of the boards. When they first launched, it would cover a puck and even legs when the puck was close to the board.

  • Denjin@feddit.uk
    5·
    1 month ago

    I’ve largely managed to tune them out, they are still occasionally very distracting but they’re unfortunately not going anywhere. If anything they’re likely to get worse.

  • higgsboson@piefed.socialEnglish
    3·
    1 month ago

    I used to watch a ton of hockey (TV and in person) but I have vision issues with the ads on TV too. My brain refuses to process it as “normal” and it interferes with watching the gameplay to the point where the ads just takeover the whole experience. Fuck those ads.