Observed Signal · Jul 29, 2026 · Partnership · Source: Cord Cutters News · Impact: 4/5 · Sentiment: Positive
Connected TV (CTV) & OTT Market: Amazon Prime Video Secures 12-Year NHL Rights in Canada
Amazon’s Prime Video and Rogers Communications reached a 12-year agreement granting Prime members in Canada national NHL streaming rights beginning with the 2026–27 season. The deal provides Prime Video at least 26 national regular-season games per season, national Wednesday Night Hockey in English and French, and select Stanley Cup Playoff series at no additional cost to Prime members in Canada. Rogers and the NHL framed the pact as deepening their relationship and expanding premium hockey access. The agreement is Canada-specific and arrives amid broader shifts in North American hockey distribution — including the collapse of FanDuel Sports Network, teams seeking new local broadcast homes in the U.S., and existing U.S. national deals with ESPN/ABC and TNT Sports that run through 2027–28. The transaction underscores streaming services’ growing role in live sports rights and CTV distribution.
Major streaming platform (Amazon/Prime Video) secured a long-term national sports rights package from a leading broadcaster (Rogers), shifting live sports inventory toward streaming and affecting CTV advertising and future rights negotiations.
Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Amazon (Prime Video) and Rogers Communications agreed a 12-year NHL rights package in Canada starting 2026–27.
- Prime members in Canada will get national Wednesday Night Hockey (English and French), select Stanley Cup Playoff series, and at least 26 national regular-season NHL games per season at no additional cost.
- Rogers Communications and the NHL publicly supported the agreement; quotes included from Rogers CEO Tony Staffieri and NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman.
- The deal is Canada-only and coincides with broader distribution shifts in North America, including FanDuel Sports Network's collapse and U.S. national rights with ESPN/ABC and TNT Sports running through 2027–28.
- Jay Marine, Head of Global Sports at Prime Video, framed the agreement as expanding Prime’s premium live sports offering for Canadian members.
Connected Companies & Entities
4 Entities mappedNational Hockey League (NHL)
Professional ice hockey league monetising media, sponsorship, and rights.
““Over the past two years, Prime Video has been a valuable addition to the NHL’s media lineup in Canada, joining Rogers in bringing marquee N...”
Amazon
Global commerce, cloud, advertising and subscription platform company.
“On Tuesday, Amazon announced that Prime Video has secured a new long-term NHL rights package in Canada through a 12-year agreement with Roge...”
Rogers Communications
Media Owner / Publisher (Content)Canadian telecom and media operator with ad sales assets.
“On Tuesday, Amazon announced that Prime Video has secured a new long-term NHL rights package in Canada through a 12-year agreement with Roge...”
TNT Sports
Premium sports broadcaster for UK and Ireland audiences.
“ESPN/ABC and TNT Sports are under seven-year deals that run through the end of the 2027-28 season....”
Ontology Mapping & Concepts
Track Real-Time Market Signals & Shifts
Set up custom watchlists to receive automated, evidence-grounded executive digests whenever material signals or shifts occur across your tracked landscape.