What's Happening?
DAZN, an international sports streaming service, has become the exclusive direct-to-consumer (DTC) streaming home for the Los Angeles Kings NHL ice hockey franchise. This partnership with Angels Broadcast Television (ABTV) will allow DAZN to stream available
local Kings games starting with the 2026-27 season. The agreement provides live and on-demand access to locally-broadcast regular-season games and first-round Stanley Cup playoff coverage within the team's local television territory, which includes Southern California and Hawaii. Nationally exclusive games will not be part of this streaming package. ABTV will continue to offer local coverage through traditional cable, satellite, and streaming TV providers. This move by DAZN follows its strategy to acquire local sports rights in North America, particularly after the winding down of FanDuel Sports Network.
Why It's Important?
This development is significant for U.S. sports broadcasting and consumers, particularly hockey fans in Southern California and Hawaii. It offers an alternative viewing option for those without traditional television subscriptions, potentially increasing accessibility to Los Angeles Kings games. The shift towards DTC streaming services like DAZN reflects a broader trend in the media industry, where sports content is increasingly moving away from traditional cable packages. This could lead to more flexible and potentially more affordable viewing options for fans, but also fragments the viewing landscape. For DAZN, securing these rights strengthens its position in the competitive U.S. sports streaming market, expanding its portfolio beyond its recent acquisitions of NBA teams' local rights.
What's Next?
Starting with the 2026-27 NHL season, Los Angeles Kings fans in the designated local territory will be able to subscribe to DAZN for $19.99 monthly or $129.99 for a season package to stream games. Select games are also expected to be available over-the-air. This new distribution model will likely be closely watched by other sports franchises and streaming platforms as the landscape of local sports broadcasting continues to evolve. DAZN's continued expansion into local sports rights suggests a future where more teams may opt for similar direct-to-consumer streaming partnerships, potentially reshaping how fans consume live sports content and impacting traditional broadcast networks.
Beyond the Headlines
This deal highlights the ongoing disruption in the sports media landscape, driven by changing consumer habits and the decline of traditional cable television. The move by DAZN to secure local rights directly with teams, rather than through large regional sports networks, could empower franchises with more control over their content distribution and potentially open new revenue streams. However, it also raises questions about the potential for increased fragmentation, where fans might need multiple subscriptions to follow all their favorite teams. The ethical implications of accessibility and affordability for fans who may not be able to afford multiple streaming services, or who prefer traditional viewing methods, will also be a continuing discussion point as this trend progresses.
