[News] ESPN reaches 7 year ~$2.8-billion US broadcast deal with NHL

[GordonBlue]

I'm going to guess between $300 & 400M per year.
Can't see any world where a deal would go to 1 billion per year.
Hockey isn't that popular.

[calgarygeologist]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

ESPN+ or ESPN 8: The Ocho here we come!

The Ocho is the best. I wish it was available more.

[Sidney Crosby's Hat]

Originally Posted by GordonBlue

I'm going to guess between $300 & 400M per year.
Can't see any world where a deal would go to 1 billion per year.
Hockey isn't that popular.

I think this half package (ESPN) could be worth the upper end of that ($400-410) million and since they get 4 Cup Finals in 7 years, the other package may be worth about $300 million for a total of $700 million. That would be a really good improvement over the $200 million per year they were getting from NBC for the whole package.

If you combine that with the $400 million or so that Sportsnet gives the NHL each year, for the first time, NHL TV rights might exceed a billion dollars.

One key thing about this deal is it's seven years in length, which is pretty much the length of the CBA. This means that more of this money is going to end up in the owners' pockets as they try to claw back to 50/50.

As for what the other package might be, I wonder. I think NBC really wanted to continue with the NFL but word is that the NFL is asking for double their asking price which would mean almost $2 billion a year for their Sunday night package.

Maybe CBS might be an option. They've been really pushing their Paramount+ Streaming platform and this could be a good anchor for it. Not to mention, CBS Sports Network. Or maybe Turner/TNT as they've flirted in the past with an NHL deal. I guess we'll see.

[sureLoss]

Kypreos on twitter says that Bettman more than doubled the expiring deal with NBC.

[nfotiu]

I wonder if they'll put all out of market games on ESPN+ and ditch nhl.tv. I could see that being seen as a strong driver to ESPN+ subscribers. A game of the week on and ESPN linear isn't really worth much on its own. Playoffs and a strong streaming draw are probably where the money is.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

Bring the theme song back!

Bring the Nordiques back!

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Kypreos on twitter says that Bettman more than doubled the expiring deal with NBC.

NBC deqal was $200 million I believe, ofr exclusive rights. If this is just tsreaming and SC, then that is pretty good.

Yeah I really hope we see all games on ESPN+. I get that included in my wireless plan along with Disney + and Hulu.

[Lil Pedro]

Friedman said on the Fan last week that before COVID, the NHL was looking at getting in the neighbourhood of $600 million/season, but now are looking more in the 350-450 million range

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Lil Pedro

Friedman said on the Fan last week that before COVID, the NHL was looking at getting in the neighbourhood of $600 million/season, but now are looking more in the 350-450 million range

That would be disappointing if that's an all-in number for all US media rights. Take what yu can get I guess.

[FanIn80]

Originally Posted by Lil Pedro

Friedman said on the Fan last week that before COVID, the NHL was looking at getting in the neighbourhood of $600 million/season, but now are looking more in the 350-450 million range

If that's the case, why would they sign a 7 year deal? Is it the bridge vs term argument? Bridge now for better numbers, but risk losing long term by not getting a second contract vs give up on numbers to get long term exposure?

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by nfotiu

I wonder if they'll put all out of market games on ESPN+ and ditch nhl.tv. I could see that being seen as a strong driver to ESPN+ subscribers. A game of the week on and ESPN linear isn't really worth much on its own. Playoffs and a strong streaming draw are probably where the money is.

Wouldn't abandoning nhl.tv kill the European market?

[dissentowner]

Bring the ESPN hockey games!!! EA needs the push so they don't keep releasing the same crap product.

[nfotiu]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

Wouldn't abandoning nhl.tv kill the European market?

I meant the American version.

[nfotiu]

A lot more information here. nhl.tv is moving to espn+, but it sounds like it would be an add on to the base package, or maybe it is part of it?

https://www.cordcuttersnews.com/disn...n/?source=home

Having all out of market games available for all espn+ subscribers would be pretty good marketing for the NHL. That, combined with the national exclusive games on espn and espn+ makes for a pretty solid presence on the ESPN platforms, I would think. If NBC stays on board, I would think they would have a much more slimmed down package than they currently have.

[getbak]

Here's the ESPN press release: https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-r...erm-agreement/


It definitely sounds like the full streaming package will be included with a basic ESPN+ subscription. That's pretty massive for hockey fans in the States.



I wonder when we'll hear about the other half of the deal?

[Johnny Makarov]

Yay! and now that Disney is involved get ready for body checking to be banned from the game.

[Toonage]

Originally Posted by Johnny Makarov

Yay! and now that Disney is involved get ready for body checking to be banned from the game.

Nah, with Disney involved all I'd expect are dirty words hidden in the board ads.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by getbak

Here's the ESPN press release: https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-r...erm-agreement/


It definitely sounds like the full streaming package will be included with a basic ESPN+ subscription. That's pretty massive for hockey fans in the States.



I wonder when we'll hear about the other half of the deal?

Home. Run.

Not only will this save me money as an existing espn+ subscriber, I'm just a big fan of their streaming platform. Last two weeks I've been watching the Scotties and Brier. My daughter plays high school volleyball and she is always able to find women's college volleyball games to watch and it has helped her game and interest level. Lots of European soccer games too.

They just have tremendous amounts of content. No doubt the price will start to creep up, but bundling with other Disney streaming platforms makes this a must have service.

[iggy_oi]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

Home. Run.

Not only will this save me money as an existing espn+ subscriber, I'm just a big fan of their streaming platform. Last two weeks I've been watching the Scotties and Brier. My daughter plays high school volleyball and she is always able to find women's college volleyball games to watch and it has helped her game and interest level. Lots of European soccer games too.

They just have tremendous amounts of content. No doubt the price will start to creep up, but bundling with other Disney streaming platforms makes this a must have service.

Are you in Canada or the states? I doubt this will be available in Canada.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Originally Posted by Toonage

Nah, with Disney involved all I'd expect are dirty words hidden in the board ads.

Nah, every game is going to be MCU against Star Wars.