# NHL’s next TV deal will test the league’s strength while media companies prepare for NFL rights increase

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/nhls-next-tv-deal-will-test-the-leagues-strength-while-media-companies-prepare-for-nfl-rights-increase/
- Published: 2026-11-13T15:04:10+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-13T22:54:01+00:00
- Original publisher: CNBC (publisher lean: Centre)
- Original article: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/11/13/nhls-next-media-deal-will-test-the-leagues-strength.html
- Topics: Business, Entertainment, TV

## Key points

- The NHL has started early renewal talks with Disney/ESPN and Skydance.
- Disney is interested in acquiring more playoff games.
- Rising audiences may strengthen the league’s negotiating position.

## Summary

The NHL is beginning preliminary talks with Disney/ESPN and Skydance about renewing its US national media rights deal, which expires after the 2026–27 season. The negotiations will test how much broadcasters value hockey as media companies face rising costs for NFL rights and compete for audiences across traditional television and streaming.

The current deal gives ESPN 100 exclusive games in 2026–27, while Disney and TNT Sports share the playoffs; Disney is particularly interested in showing more playoff games. NHL audiences have risen: last season’s playoffs averaged 1.8 million viewers per game, and regular-season broadcasts averaged 546,000, up 25% year on year. The article notes that the league’s prior rights deals in the US and Canada suggest it could secure a substantial increase, though today’s media market may be different.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.