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NHL’s next TV deal will test the league’s strength while media companies prepare for NFL rights increase
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.
In short
- 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.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The NHL’s rising audiences and strong playoff viewership give broadcasters reason to value its rights more highly, especially if exclusive playoff games can attract loyal fans and help streaming services stand out. A larger deal could provide the league with resources to grow its reach and give media companies valuable live sport beyond an increasingly costly NFL package.
The case against
Audience growth does not guarantee that broadcasters will earn enough from a much more expensive deal, particularly as viewers and advertising remain divided across television and streaming. With NFL rights costs rising and competition for sports audiences intensifying, companies may reasonably limit their bids or prioritise other content rather than commit more money to hockey.
Explained simply
The National Hockey League is the top professional ice hockey competition in North America. In the United States, national TV rights let broadcasters show games to viewers across the country, while playoff rights cover the games that decide the championship.
ESPN, part of Disney, and TNT Sports currently share those US rights. The NHL is also in talks with Skydance, which owns Paramount, as it considers its next deal; the current agreement runs through the 2026–27 season.
A rights deal can bring the league substantial income and shape how easily fans can watch games. Broadcasters weigh that value against the cost of other sports, including NFL rights, and the challenge of attracting audiences on both television and streaming.