Recent reports suggest that Amazon is considering acquiring Canadian NHL broadcasting rights from Rogers Communications before the current media rights deal expires. Citing insights from a sports media insider, the tech giant’s potential move is a strategic move to establish a strong presence in the sports broadcasting sphere.
“With deep ties to the NHL and a robust Prime platform, Amazon is positioning itself to compete head-to-head with industry giants like Walmart and Loblaws, particularly in the fiercely competitive grocery sector.” Siegel wrote on his YYZ Sports Media site.
Rogers Communications’ extensive 12-year Canadian broadcasting rights agreement with the NHL still has two years remaining, and discussions regarding a potential collaboration with Amazon have reportedly started.
According to Sports media insider Jonah Sigel, Rogers Communications is in talks to broadcast Monday night NHL games, including playoff games, for the upcoming two seasons via Amazon’s platform.
Despite making an initial investment of $5.2 billion in the 2014-15 season for exclusive national broadcasting rights to NHL games, the deal has faced challenges in subsequent years. Factors contributing to its diminishing returns are cord-cutting trends and the lack of playoff success from Canadian-based teams, notably the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Although the Montreal Canadians reached the Stanley Cup final during the second year of the agreement, their post-season success has not been sustainable. Also, not a single Canadian team qualified for the playoffs. The Leafs have advanced to the second round of the playoffs only once, while the Edmonton Oilers have collectively won four rounds. Against this backdrop, the NHL’s potential prioritization of streaming services in its next broadcasting agreement appears increasingly credible.
With just two years left in the current agreement, the possibility of Rogers Communications opting out of contract renewal is becoming increasingly apparent, potentially opening the door for alternative contenders such as TSN and various streaming services to seize the opportunity and fill the impending void.
“As anticipation builds for this year’s playoffs, there is news brewing about the upcoming NHL season, whispers in the sports world hint at a potential game-changing move: Amazon’s potential takeover of the entire Monday night package from Rogers.” While details remain scarce, the murmurs suggest that Rogers, burdened by the weight of the deal, may be looking to offload the Monday night games to the Seattle-based tech giant,” wrote Siegel.
In 2021 the league finalized a seven-year rights agreement valued at $625 million with the Walt Disney Company and Turner Sports. As part of this deal, viewers can stream upto 75 games per season on ESPN+ and Hulu, along with selected playoff games to simulcast on HBO Max.