Amazon’s Prime Video has secured the exclusive rights to broadcast national NHL regular-season games on Wednesday nights in Canada in both English and French starting next season. This comes as part of a new 12-year sub-licensing agreement with Rogers Communications Inc. The deal, announced on Tuesday, will also see Prime Video carrying select Stanley Cup playoff series, including two first-round series and one second-round matchup each year.
Under the agreement, Prime Video is set to air at least 26 national regular-season games beginning on September 30. These games will be accessible to Prime members in Canada at no extra charge, while Sportsnet, owned by Rogers, will continue to hold the majority of national NHL games.
The deal extends throughout the entirety of Rogers’s 12-year NHL national media rights deal for all platforms in Canada until the 2037-38 season. Jay Marine, head of global sports at Prime Video, expressed excitement about the expanded partnership, bringing top-notch live sports content to Prime members in Canada.
Following the announcement, it was revealed that Rogers and CBC would not be renewing their sub-licensing agreement, spelling the end of “Hockey Night in Canada” on the public broadcaster after the 2025-26 season. Additionally, Rogers-owned Citytv will no longer broadcast national games, marking the end of NHL broadcasts on free-to-air television.
The move towards streaming platforms for NHL content has been evident, with Prime Video already streaming Monday night games over the past two seasons. This shift aligns with the broader trend towards streaming sports content, as highlighted by partnerships such as the CFL’s agreement with DAZN and Major League Soccer’s collaboration with Apple TV.
Financial details of the Prime Video sub-licensing deal were not disclosed. The prolonged 12-year agreement is seen as a step towards securing long-term stability in the league and ensuring labor peace. The deal is expected to help Rogers recover a portion of the $11 billion it paid last year for the rights.
Despite the benefits for broadcasters, the fragmentation of the schedule may pose challenges for viewers, particularly avid fans who will need to navigate between different streaming packages. The evolving landscape of sports broadcasting is emblematic of the changing preferences towards streaming services over traditional cable subscriptions.