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What: The Mario Lemieux channel

When: Today, 4 p.m.

Where: “NHL Center Ice” on DirecTV and digital cable

Sports television technology reaches another plateau today when one channel will be devoted to one superstar--Mario Lemieux.

Lemieux’s Pittsburgh Penguins play at Boston, and the game is available only as part of the “NHL Center Ice” out-of-market package on DirecTV and digital cable systems that have iNDEMAND.

The game, the fifth of Lemieux’s remarkable comeback, can be seen on Channel 740 on DirecTV. The twist here is that Channel 741 will be devoted totally to Lemieux and every move he makes. A camera will be isolated on him at all times.

An added plus for DirecTV subscribers is that this is a free preview week for “NHL Center Ice,” meaning the package is free and available to all subscribers.

The two channels on digital cable will vary from system to system. The free preview is only for DirecTV subscribers, but iNDEMAND has one planned for Feb. 6-11.

The Lemieux channel, or Iso channel as the NHL is calling it, will feature all his statistics, including ice time, number of shifts, power-play shifts, shots on goal, goals, assists and hits.

When Lemieux is on the ice, a separate box will show his every move while the game action continues.

“This is a perfect example of opportunities for sports broadcasting presented by new and emerging technologies,” said Doug Perlam, NHL vice president in charge of media ventures. “The Iso channel broadcast will give fans more control over their viewing.”