#USA #Sports #El Segundo #DIRECTV #NHL

DIRECTV Expands Coverage for NHL Fans

DIRECTV, a leading satellite television provider, has made a significant move to enhance local coverage for hockey fans with a multi-year agreement with the National Hockey League (NHL). This new arrangement will allow DIRECTV to offer regional channels dedicated to four prominent NHL teams: the Carolina Hurricanes, Columbus Blue Jackets, Minnesota Wild, and St. Louis Blues.

The channels, namely Hurricanes Hockey Network, Blue Jackets Hockey Network, Wild+, and Blue Note+, will be available to both streaming and satellite customers within each team's designated home territory. Fans who subscribe to the Choice package or higher will now have access to live coverage, including pregame and postgame services, as well as in-game action.

DIRECTV's commitment to supporting sports is evident as it secures distribution rights for these teams to be viewed in numerous commercial settings, including sports bars and fitness clubs. With this agreement, DIRECTV now boasts local broadcasting rights for 76 of the 81 franchises in major leagues like the NHL, NBA, and MLB in the United States, which includes multi-year agreements for 23 NHL teams.

Rob Thun, Chief Content Officer at DIRECTV, remarked on the importance of staying connected with local fans, stating, “We are committed to keeping fans connected to their favorite teams and giving them more choice and flexibility in how they watch and what they pay.” He also emphasized the evolution of local sports distribution, and how this agreement simplifies access for hockey fans.

Echoing Thun’s enthusiasm, David Proper, NHL Chief Media Officer, expressed his excitement regarding this development, noting that “this agreement puts our clubs in four passionate hockey markets in front of more of their fans, and that’s a win for everyone who loves the game.”

The specific channels designated for each team are as follows:

• - Carolina Hurricanes: View local games on channel 650 for streaming and satellite, with U-verse available on channels 1726/726.
• - Columbus Blue Jackets: Local game broadcasts available on channel 660 for streaming, channel 660-1 for satellite, and U-verse channels 1735/735.
• - Minnesota Wild: Tune in to channel 668 for streaming, 668-1 for satellite, and 1745/745 for U-verse.
• - St. Louis Blues: Available on channel 673 for both streaming and satellite, with U-verse offerings on channels 1747/747.

As the sports industry continuously adapts to new distribution strategies, this partnership indicates DIRECTV’s proactive approach in ensuring that fans can continue enjoying their favorite teams without barriers. The company is actively reshaping how fans experience sports broadcasting, reinforcing its role as a key player in the live sporting landscape.

Fans can now look forward to watching their local NHL games with ease, with DIRECTV serving as the bridge between the teams and their loyal supporters. The excitement generated by this expansion is bound to resonate within the hockey communities of these four regions, ensuring that fans remain engaged and connected to the sport they love.