In a significant move within the regional sports landscape, Prime Video has secured exclusive local streaming rights for six National Hockey League (NHL) teams. This agreement will see the streaming service become the go-to platform for fans of the Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes, Anaheim Ducks, Columbus Blue Jackets, Dallas Stars, Minnesota Wild, and St. Louis Blues, starting with the 2026-27 season on September 29, 2026.
The Ducks and Stars are making a notable transition from the struggling streaming service Victory+, which has faced numerous financial challenges over the past year. Meanwhile, the other four teams were initially part of a plan where the NHL would centralize production for local broadcasts. This shift comes as regional sports networks have increasingly struggled to maintain their traditional business models.
Charlie Neiman, who leads sports partnerships for Prime Video, expressed enthusiasm about the new agreement, stating, "We’re excited to build upon our strong relationship with the NHL and provide fans with more ways to connect with the local teams they love." Neiman emphasized Prime Video's commitment to being a primary destination for sports, aiming to enhance the accessibility and reach of live games for fans.
As the start of the new streaming arrangement approaches, each of the six teams will determine their subscription pricing and other details related to their streaming packages. This flexibility is designed to cater to the evolving demands of fans who seek convenient ways to follow their favorite teams.
David Proper, the NHL’s chief media officer and senior executive vice president, highlighted the importance of this partnership, stating, "Fans want an easy way to find and follow their favorite teams, and this agreement with Prime Video gives clubs the flexibility to meet that demand as the market evolves." Proper also praised Amazon as a valuable partner to the NHL, noting the potential for expanding their collaborative efforts as Prime Video continues to grow its NHL offerings.
Prime Video is not new to NHL streaming; it already has a similar arrangement with the Seattle Kraken, whose games are available to local subscribers. Additionally, the platform offers a variety of regional sports networks to Amazon account holders, further solidifying its position in the sports streaming market.
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