Sinclair Broadcast Group has announced that its Diamond Sports Group unit has reached a renewal of its rights deal with the National Hockey League that covers the 12 teams whose games are on Sinclair’s Bally regional sports networks.
Sinclair has expressed an interest in direct-to-consumer sports content. According to the company, this deal gives its Bally RSNs permission to offer streaming content, including live games, on an authenticated and direct-to-consumer basis to the local territories of the 12 teams.
The agreement was expanded to allow post-game highlights on Sinclair’s digital news platforms, alternate feeds, and the use of the NHL’s puck and player tracking data in game broadcasts.
The 12 teams covered by the new agreement are the Anaheim Ducks, Arizona Coyotes, Carolina Hurricanes, Columbus Blue Jackets, Dallas Stars, Detroit Red Wings, Florida Panthers, Los Angeles Kings, Minnesota Wild, Nashville Predators, St. Louis Blues, and Tampa Bay Lightning.
“We are incredibly proud to continue to partner with the NHL, with which we have had a long and successful relationship, to bring the fast pace and excitement of hockey to local fans across the country,” said Sinclair CEO Chris Ripley. “Our announcement today signifies the importance that both parties place on the ability for sports viewers to consume content whenever and however they choose. The advent of a DTC model will further enhance flexibility for viewers, as well as offer them a highly-personalized and engaging experience, with functionality and interactivity well beyond what is offered today.”
This announcement is huge for Diamond Sports Network. More direct-to-consumer content is urgent for the entity because it is a significant amount of debt. This extension is believed to be the a step in the most profitable plan of action for Sinclair.
Ripley said last week during a conference that a deal could be on the horizon with the NBA as well, which could have even more direct-to-consumer content strategies involved.