Comcast Secures NHL Telecast Rights, Boosting Outdoor Life Network

Strategic Insights -

Comcast, the Philadelphia-based cable giant, has struck a deal with the National Hockey League (NHL) to televise games on its Outdoor Life Network (OLN), which it owns. Under the agreement, at least 58 regular season games will be broadcast, along with exclusive rights to the league's All-Star game, conference championship games, and the first two games of the Stanley Cup championship. Comcast also plans to create a digital library of hockey highlights and broadcast additional games on its regional SportsNet channels nationwide.

Key Takeaways:

  • Comcast's deal with the NHL will bring hockey back to its Outdoor Life Network, which has previously focused on fishing and big game hunting programs.
  • The arrangement comes as DirecTV, a rival satellite provider, is at the height of its annual marketing push for the NFL Sunday Ticket package, highlighting the importance of sports content in the battle for subscribers.
  • Sports programming is critical for pay television providers, as fans tend to be loyal to their favorite teams and are willing to pay extra for services.
  • Comcast's digital video recorder (DVR) add-on and DirecTV's SuperFan package, which accompanies Sunday Ticket, are examples of how sports programming can facilitate upgrades and retention.
  • The deal could be particularly bothersome for satellite rivals DirecTV and DISH Network, which don't have access to Comcast SportsNet in Philadelphia, preventing satellite subscribers from watching games featuring the Philadelphia 76ers and Flyers.

Statistics:

  • Comcast will broadcast at least 58 regular season NHL games under the agreement.
  • The league's All-Star game, conference championship games, and the first two games of the Stanley Cup championship will be exclusive to Outdoor Life Network.
  • Comcast plans to create a digital library of hockey highlights.
  • Comcast's deal with the NHL is part of a larger push for sports content, which is valuated at a quarter of its customer base as rabid sports fans, watching sports-related content on a frequent basis.
  • DirecTV paid $3.5 billion last year for the rights to Sunday Ticket, a package that includes regular season NFL games through 2010.

Sources:

  • The Boston Globe - Keith Reed, Aug. 19
  • The Yankee Group - Adi Kishore, director of media and entertainment strategies
  • Comcast Corporation
  • DirecTV
  • National Hockey League