Amazon’s Prime Video secures the exclusive rights to broadcast Wednesday night national NHL regular-season games in Canada in both English and French starting next season. This follows a new 12-year sub-licensing deal with Rogers Communications Inc. The agreement also includes select Stanley Cup playoff series, featuring two first-round matchups and one second-round game annually.
Under the terms of the deal, Prime Video will have the fourth and fifth picks among the eight first-round series and the third choice among the four second-round matchups. This move complements Rogers-owned Sportsnet, which will maintain the majority of national NHL games. Prime Video’s offerings will include a minimum of 26 national regular-season games, kicking off on September 30, and will be accessible to Prime members in Canada at no extra charge.
The partnership extends throughout the duration of Rogers’s 12-year agreement with the NHL for national media rights on all platforms in Canada until the 2037-38 season. Jay Marine, head of global sports at Prime Video, expressed excitement about the expanded collaboration, emphasizing the addition of premium live sports content for Canadian Prime members.
The announcement comes on the heels of the decision not to renew the sub-licensing agreement between Rogers, CBC, and Hockey Night in Canada beyond the 2025-26 season. Consequently, NHL games will no longer be available on free-to-air television, including Citytv. The shift towards streaming platforms aligns with the evolving landscape of sports broadcasting, as exemplified by the CFL’s upcoming streaming deal with DAZN and Major League Soccer’s venture with Apple TV.
Financial details of the Prime Video sub-licensing agreement remain undisclosed. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman commended the extended collaboration between Prime Video and Rogers, emphasizing the shared commitment to delivering premium NHL content to English and French-speaking hockey fans in Canada. Moshe Lander, a sports economist at Concordia University, noted that the deal presents an opportunity for Rogers to recoup some of the substantial investment made in securing NHL rights.
The fragmentation of the schedule may pose challenges for avid hockey fans, necessitating navigation between different viewing packages. However, the extended contract duration is seen as a factor contributing to potential labor stability within the league. The evolving nature of sports broadcasting, particularly the shift towards streaming services, underscores the changing landscape of viewer preferences and consumption habits.