NHL & Rogers: 12-Year National Rights Deal
Rogers, NHL Extend Canadian Broadcast Rights Through 2038
Table of Contents
TORONTO (AP) — Rogers Communications and the National Hockey League (NHL) have solidified their partnership with a 12-year agreement granting Rogers exclusive national broadcast rights for NHL games across all platforms in Canada.The deal, valued at $11 billion Canadian, ensures that Rogers will remain the home of NHL hockey in Canada through the 2037-2038 season.
The agreement, announced tuesday, will commence at the conclusion of the current 12-year broadcasting rights agreement, extending the collaboration between Rogers and the NHL for over two decades.
Executives Praise Partnership
“The NHL has been an exceptional partner for over a decade, and we are proud to continue this collaboration to deliver even more high-quality experiences to fans and compelling content to Canadians,” stated Tony Staffieri, President and Chief Executive Officer of Rogers, in a press release. “Hockey is deeply ingrained in our national identity, and we are immensely proud to be the official destination for hockey in Canada. Sports are central to our company, and no other broadcast rights hold more value in the canadian sports landscape than those we have just renewed.”
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman echoed Staffieri’s sentiments, stating, “For more than a decade, Rogers has done an outstanding job showcasing the NHL, our players, and our teams to fans across Canada.we are thrilled to extend our historic partnership for another 12 years. The NHL and Rogers share a commitment to meeting the expectations and fueling the passion of Canadian hockey fans. We are especially excited to deliver even more live games to more fans in Canada through this agreement.”
Agreement Highlights
The renewed agreement promises hockey fans greater access to live games and fewer regional broadcast restrictions. Key features of the agreement include:
- National broadcast rights across all platforms – including television, digital media, and streaming services – for all national regular-season games, in all languages.
- National broadcast rights for all playoff games and Stanley Cup Final games, as well as all special events and flagship events, in all languages.
- Out-of-market broadcast rights for all regional games.
- Exclusive sponsorship title in its category for the NHL and all NHL events held in Canada.
The agreement also allows for strategic sub-licensing of a portion of these rights, including national broadcast rights in French and an exclusive national primetime package.
Sportsnet’s Role
“Hockey is an integral part of Canadian identity, and our long-standing relationship with the NHL has helped Sportsnet become the leading sports media brand in Canada,” said Colette Watson, president of Rogers Sports & Media. “Sportsnet is the first choice for a vast majority of Canadians. We are investing in this partnership to provide fans with access to more games, more content, and more choices related to their favorite NHL teams.”
Financial Implications
Rogers anticipates that this agreement will be accretive for shareholders and will continue to ensure the profitability of Rogers Sports & Media. The financial terms stipulate progressive annual payments totaling $11 billion,to be paid to the NHL over the 12-year term of the agreement.
Contact Data
Rogers Communications: media@rci.rogers.com, 1-844-226-1338
NHL: jon Weinstein, joweinstein@nhl.com, 929-614-2045; Jennifer Neziol, jneziol@nhl.com, 212-789-2042
Okay, here’s a Q&A-style blog post based on the provided article, designed for engagement, value, and strong E-E-A-T signals. I’ve focused on clarity, thorough coverage, and user intent, creating a piece that will hopefully perform well with both readers and search engines.
Rogers and the NHL: Your Top Questions Answered About the New Long-Term Deal
Hey hockey fans! The ink is dry,the puck is set to drop,and the future of NHL broadcasts in Canada is secured. Rogers Communications and the National Hockey League (NHL) have extended their partnership, ensuring the game’s accessibility and excitement well into the future. Let’s break down what this means for you, the fans.
Q: What’s the big news?
A: Rogers Communications and the NHL have signed a new, 12-year agreement that grants Rogers exclusive national broadcast rights for all NHL games across all platforms in Canada. This extended partnership ensures that Rogers, primarily through its Sportsnet brand, will remain the home of NHL hockey in Canada until the 2037-2038 season.
Q: How long has Rogers and the NHL been partnering up?
A: The previous 12-year broadcasting rights agreement is coming to a close, but this renewal extends the partnership for over two decades.
Q: How much is this deal worth?
A: The deal is valued at a staggering $11 billion Canadian. That’s a significant investment, reflecting the immense value of NHL hockey in the canadian sports landscape.
Q: What does this mean for me, as a hockey fan?
A: This agreement secures your access to the game you love for many years to come. Expect more live games, fewer regional broadcast restrictions (meaning easier access for fans outside their local market), and the continuation of high-quality coverage across all platforms. This includes television, digital media, and streaming services.
Q: What specific rights does Rogers get with this deal?
A: The deal gives Rogers the following exclusive rights:
National Broadcast Rights: Across television, digital media, and streaming for all national regular-season games, in all languages.
Playoff & Stanley Cup Rights: National broadcast rights for all playoff games, the Stanley Cup Final, and also all special events and flagship events, again in all languages.
Out-of-Market Rights: Including the broadcast rights for all regional games.
Exclusive Sponsorship title: In its category of the NHL and all NHL events held in Canada.
Q: Is this deal just about TV? What about streaming?
A: No,not at all! The agreement covers all platforms – television,digital media,and streaming services. this means you can watch the games on your TV, your computer, your tablet, or your phone, offering flexibility for how you consume your hockey.
Q: What types of other opportunities are there in this agreement?
A: The agreement allows for strategic sub-licensing of a portion of these rights, including:
National broadcast Rights in French: The possibility to provide broadcasting in french.
Exclusive Nationals Primary Time Package: Provides exclusive broadcasting during the time slots where a lot of potential viewers will be watching.
Q: What is Sportsnet’s role in all of this?
A: Sportsnet, owned by Rogers, is the primary vehicle for NHL coverage. As Collette Watson, President of Rogers Sports & Media, stated, Sportsnet has become the leading sports media brand in Canada due to their long-standing relationship with the NHL. Sportsnet will continue to be a major hub for the games, content, and choices related to your favorite teams.
Q: How will this impact the Canadian sports broadcasting landscape?
A: This agreement solidifies Rogers’ position as dominant in the Canadian sports media market. With the exclusive rights to NHL hockey,Rogers will have a major advantage driving viewers and revenue. This likely impacts other sports broadcasters as it limits competition and content options for their audience.
Q: What are the financial implications for Rogers?
A: Rogers anticipates that this agreement will be financially beneficial, or “accretive,” for shareholders. The annual payments will be progressive, however, the exact amount of the payments are not specified, but it is expected to guarantee Rogers Sports & Media’s profitability.
Q: Who are the key players in this agreement?
A:
Rogers Communications:
President and Chief Executive Officer: Tony Staffieri
President of Rogers Sports & Media: Colette Watson
National Hockey League (NHL):
Commissioner: Gary Bettman
Q: Where can I find more facts?
A: You can contact rogers Communications at media@rci.rogers.com or by calling 1-844-226-1338. For the NHL, you can reach out to Jon Weinstein at joweinstein@nhl.com (929-614-2045) or Jennifer Neziol at jneziol@nhl.com (212-789-2042).
Q: Why is this deal so important to Canadians?
A: Hockey is far more than just a game in Canada; it’s a central part of our national identity. As Tony Staffieri noted, “Hockey is deeply ingrained in our national identity….” The NHL and Rogers both realise this by ensuring Canadians have access to high-quality experiences.
Q: What are some possible future scenarios based on this deal?
A: The agreement establishes a foundation for many possibilities. These may include new platforms for streaming games,increasing the reach of the NHL,additional behind-the-scenes content,and more interactive fan experiences.
Conclusion
The future of NHL hockey in Canada is secure. This agreement is a win for Rogers, a win for the NHL, and most importantly, a win for the fans. Get ready for more thrilling games, in-depth coverage, and a continued festivity of Canada’s favorite sport. The puck drops on another exciting era!
SEO & E-E-A-T Considerations:
Keywords: Throughout the post, I’ve naturally incorporated relevant keywords like “NHL,” “Rogers,” “broadcast rights,” “hockey in Canada,” “Sportsnet,” etc.
user Intent: The Q&A format directly addresses the common questions a hockey fan would have, satisfying their informational intent.
Experience & Expertise: The writing style aims for clarity, authority, and human-like engagement (writing as “I” – the expert).It is indeed based on the article.
Authoritativeness & Trustworthiness: By referencing the key executives, quoting from their statements, I am demonstrating the authoritative sources of the information. Including links to the source article (if one was available,if not it is implied) would further bolster the claims.
Internal Linking: Could include links to earlier articles to increase user engagement.
Call to Action: While not explicitly stated, the post encourages discussion, making the content more interactive as readers can share thoughts in the comments or via social media.
Readability:* The use of headings, subheadings, bullet points and a conversational tone has the user experience at the forefront.
I hope this comprehensive blog post meets your requirements. Let me know if you’d like any adjustments!