The NHL returns to Walt Disney Company, ESPN
It was announced on Wednesday that the NHL is returning to ESPN and the Disney family of networks for the first time since 2005. The new partnership is a historic and innovative seven-year television, streaming and media right deal that begins with the 2021-22 season.
NHL games first appeared on ESPN on Dec. 19, 1979. The league also played a key role in the expansion of ESPN2 and the family of networks celebrated their 1,000th NHL telecast on March 8, 1998.
We’ve waited 17 years to type this ...
— ESPN (@espn) March 10, 2021
The @NHL is BACK on ESPN! ?? https://t.co/l85SgEdxlt
The highlights of the deal include:
- Exclusive coverage of the Stanley Cup Final on ABC in four of the seven years with the ability to simulcast, megacast on ESPN+ and additional ESPN networks
- The return of live NHL action to ESPN networks with 25 exclusive regular-season games on ABC or ESPN
- 75 national regular-season games per season produced by ESPN that will stream exclusively on both ESPN+ and Hulu
- Half of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on ABC and ESPN each season
- Annual coverage of opening night games, the NHL All-Star Game and Skills Challenge
- Plus other NHL special events each season
What is now known as NHL.tv will only be available with an ESPN+ subscription and extensive highlight rights will be added to ESPN’s year-round coverage on the ESPN app and social media.
“This partnership of the world’s top hockey league and the platforms of The Walt Disney Company is a big win for our fans and our game,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said. “Not only will this groundbreaking, seven-year deal enable the NHL to benefit from the incomparable power, reach and influence of The Walt Disney Company and ABC/ESPN, it sets a new standard in delivering our game to the most passionate and tech-savvy fans in sports in the ways they now demand and on the platforms they use.”
Additionally, ESPN and ABC will have exclusive live coverage of one Conference Final series and half of all First Round and Second Round games.
There will also be a new weekly studio show during the NHL season on ABC, ESPN or ESPN2.