Observed Signal · Oct 20, 2026 · Partnership · Source: State of Streaming · Impact: 4/5 · Sentiment: Positive
DAZN and Amazon Prime Video Expand Sports Streaming Rights
Streaming platforms are aggressively acquiring regional and national sports rights to fuel subscriber growth. DAZN secured exclusive direct-to-consumer rights for MSG and YES Networks, covering New York teams like the Yankees, Rangers, and Knicks starting in the 2026-27 season. It is also close to acquiring NBA rights for seven former FanDuel Sports Network teams, as well as DTC arrangements with the Orlando Magic and Charlotte Hornets. DAZN's acquisition of ViewLift strengthens its OTT distribution capabilities. Meanwhile, Amazon Prime Video locked in a 12-year Canadian NHL deal for Wednesday Night Hockey, working with Rogers Communications and Sportsnet to reduce blackouts. These moves reflect a strategy where platforms accept initial losses to capture high-value sports fans and convert them into long-term subscribers for their broader content ecosystems.
Major streaming platforms are reshaping sports media rights distribution, signaling a shift from traditional cable to DTC streaming, which impacts ad monetization and subscriber growth strategies.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- DAZN will become the exclusive direct-to-consumer streaming home of MSG and YES Networks starting in the 2026-27 season.
- DAZN is close to acquiring NBA rights for seven former FanDuel Sports Network teams, including the Minnesota Timberwolves and Cleveland Cavaliers.
- Amazon Prime Video signed a 12-year deal with the NHL to broadcast Wednesday Night Hockey in Canada starting in the 2026-27 season.
- DAZN acquired ViewLift, an OTT distribution platform, to support its sports rights acquisitions.
- Rogers Communications and Prime Video will collaborate with Sportsnet to deliver more national games with fewer blackouts.
Connected Companies & Entities
5 Entities mapped“Amazon Prime Video also locked in a 12-year deal with the NHL in Canada exclusively to broadcast Wednesday Night Hockey across the country s...”
“DAZN made headlines to land rights to MSG and YES Networks, two of the regional sports networks based in the New York City market.”
“Amazon Prime Video also locked in a 12-year deal with the NHL in Canada exclusively to broadcast Wednesday Night Hockey across the country s...”
“With DAZN's acquisition of ViewLift, it has given them a strong case to acquire broadcast and digital rights for a good portion of NBA and N...”
“Rogers Communications and Prime Video will work together with Sportsnet, Canada's top sports media brand, to 'deliver more national games wi...”
Ontology Mapping & Concepts
Related Market Signals & Shifts
Recent verified developments and strategic activity across this market segment.
DAZN Eyes Local NBA Streaming Rights for Up to 10 Teams
DAZN is reported to be the frontrunner to acquire digital streaming rights tied to MSG Networks and YES Network and is nearing agreements with multiple NBA teams. If completed, DAZN would become the streaming home for all non-national games for New York-area franchises and is close to exclusive local rights for several other teams, potentially covering up to ten NBA clubs. Reported deal structures may be short-term or include opt-outs to preserve flexibility ahead of a possible league-run local streaming hub for 2027-28. The moves would significantly expand DAZN’s U.S. sports footprint and mark a major shift in local sports distribution as regional sports networks decline.
Amazon Tops DAZN in Sports Streaming Spend
New research from Ampere Analysis indicates Amazon Prime Video will be the world’s largest spender on sports streaming rights in 2026, overtaking DAZN. Amazon’s position is driven largely by a new $1.8 billion-per-season NBA contract. DAZN’s 2025 lead was inflated by a one-off $1 billion deal for the FIFA Men’s Club World Cup, an event not taking place in 2026. The report notes general-entertainment streamers are increasing their share of rights spending (from 31% in 2025 to an estimated 44% in 2026), and that other platforms — notably Paramount+ with a new UFC contract reported at over $1 billion per year — are pushing into live sports. The trend positions live sports as a central battleground for streaming services seeking subscribers and premium CTV advertising inventory.
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.
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