Key Takeaways:
- Prime Video acquires exclusive Wednesday Night Hockey rights for 12 years
- Deal includes at least 26 regular-season games plus three playoff series
- Sportsnet retains 500-plus national games with fewer blackouts
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Prime Video lands 26-game NHL package in 12-year Rogers deal
Prime Video will become the exclusive Canadian home of Wednesday Night Hockey under a 12-year sublicensing agreement with Rogers Communications, adding at least 26 regular-season games to its streaming lineup starting Sept. 30.
"Our partnership with Prime Video builds on the strong foundation we have established together and reinforces NHL hockey as the most valuable sports content in Canada," Tony Staffieri, president and chief executive officer of Rogers, said.
The deal grants Prime Video exclusive rights to two First Round Stanley Cup Playoff series and one Second Round series annually, with broadcasts available in English and French. Sportsnet, which owns rights to more than 500 national games per season including Monday and Saturday nights, will continue as Canada's primary NHL broadcaster with fewer regional blackouts.
The agreement extends a relationship that began two years ago when Prime Video first joined the NHL's Canadian media lineup, and follows the 12-year national rights deal Rogers signed with the league last year covering all platforms through the 2037-38 season. For Amazon, the deal deepens its live sports portfolio in Canada, which already includes the PWHL and Premier Boxing Champions, while providing Rogers with a recurring sublicensing revenue stream.
Financial terms of the sublicensing agreement were not disclosed. The deal reflects the growing competition between technology platforms and traditional broadcasters for live sports rights, which drive subscriber acquisition and retention for streaming services. Prime Video's global sports lineup now spans the NBA, NFL Thursday Night Football, UEFA Champions League, and Roland-Garros, among other properties.
"We're thrilled to expand our partnership with the NHL and Rogers in this landmark agreement, which brings even more premium live sports to Prime members in Canada," Jay Marine, head of global sports at Prime Video, said. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman called the deal a reflection of "our shared commitment to serving English and French-language hockey fans across Canada."
The first Wednesday Night Hockey broadcast on Prime Video is scheduled for Sept. 30, with production and talent details to be announced at a later date. The agreement runs through the 2037-38 season, aligning with Rogers' broader national media rights deal with the NHL.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.
