NHL Network (American TV Channel) - Wikipedia

Television sports channel This article is about the American cable channel. For the late 1970s syndicated package, see NHL Network (1975 TV program). For the defunct Canadian cable channel, see NHL Network (Canadian TV channel).

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.Find sources: "NHL Network" American TV channel – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (October 2021) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

Television channel NHL Network

Country	United States
Broadcast area	United States
Headquarters	Secaucus, New Jersey, U.S.
Programming
Language	English
Picture format	720p (HDTV)480i (SDTV)
Ownership
Owner	National Hockey League (84.4%)NBCUniversal (15.6%)[1]
Sister channels	Golf ChannelMLB Network
History
Launched	October 1, 2007; 18 years ago (2007-10-01)
Links
Website	[3]
Availability
Streaming media
DirecTV Stream	Internet Protocol Television
Sling TV	Internet Protocol Television
FuboTV	Internet Protocol Television

NHL Network is an American sports-oriented cable and satellite television network that is a joint venture between the National Hockey League (NHL), which owns a controlling 84.4% interest, and NBCUniversal, which owns the remaining 15.6%. Dedicated to providing broadcast coverage of ice hockey, the network features live game telecasts from the NHL and other professional and collegiate hockey leagues, as well as NHL-related content including analysis programs, specials and documentaries.

History

[edit]

Launched on October 1, 2007, the NHL Network was developed out of a joint venture between the NHL and cable provider Comcast, as part of a broadcast rights agreement that resulted in the NBC Sports Network (then known as Outdoor Life Network) acquiring partial cable television rights to regular season, and Stanley Cup playoff and finals games from the National Hockey League. It became the third sports-oriented cable network devoted to programming from and controlled by one of the Major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada, following the National Basketball Association-owned NBA TV (which launched in March 1999) and the National Football League-owned NFL Network (which launched in November 2003); Major League Baseball would launch its own sports channel, MLB Network, on January 1, 2009.[2]

On June 1, 2015, The Globe and Mail columnist David Shoalts reported that NHL Network in Canada would cease operations on September 1, 2015; national media rights to the NHL in Canada had been acquired by Rogers Communications beginning in the 2014–15 season, and the Bell Media employees who managed the network's Canadian arm on behalf of the NHL were laid off that July.[3][4]

In August 2015, it was announced that the NHL had reached a six-year deal with Major League Baseball Advanced Media (MLBAM) to take over the management of the NHL's digital properties, as well as NHL Network. Operations and production of NHL Network's programming was shifted from Toronto to the Secaucus, New Jersey facilities of MLB Network.[3][5] There has been minor talent sharing between the networks, and MLB Network cross-promoted an NHL Stadium Series game at Coors Field by building a scale hockey rink in its Studio 42 (which itself is designed to resemble a scaled baseball field).[6]

For much of the 2015–16 season, NHL Network studio programs originated from MLB Network's Studio 21 and Studio K, enabled by a lack of major overlap between the two leagues' regular seasons.[7][8] In April 2016, coinciding with the start of the playoffs, NHL Network moved to a permanent 1,200 square-foot studio near Studio 21 known as "The Rink".[8]

The network continues to operate under the league's new television contract consortium of ESPN and Turner Sports beginning with the 2021–22 season, continuing to air regional games and the NHL Network Showcase package.[9][10][11][12]

Carriage agreements

[edit]

Comcast, owners of the league's former cable partner NBCSN, is also the largest cable television provider in the United States. The company was contractually obligated to carry NHL Network on its systems by the summer of 2007 at the latest, so it would be available in time for the 2007–08 NHL season.[13] Both Comcast and the NHL had an option to terminate their contract after the 2006–07 season, which would have voided Comcast's obligation to launch a U.S. version of NHL Network, but opted to proceed with the launch.[14]

Since its official launch in the United States, the NHL Network announced on October 8, 2007 that it would begin being carried that month on Cablevision, Charter, Cox Communications, DirecTV, Dish Network, Xfinity and Time Warner Cable through carriage agreements that were struck with each of the providers.[15] DirecTV has aired NHL Network on channel 215 since October 31, 2007.[16][17]

NHL.com announced on January 12, 2009 that AT&T U-verse would begin carrying the channel.[18] This was followed on June 2, 2009 with the announcement that NHL Network and Comcast had reached an agreement to carry the channel on the provider's Digital Classic Tier, which increased subscribership of the channel from the then-estimated two million subscribers in its placement on the "Sports Entertainment" tier to over 10 million on its Digital Classic package.[19]

In 2016, Sling TV became the first over-the-top media service to offer NHL Network.[20]

Carriage disputes

[edit]

In 2011, AT&T U-verse refused to carry NHL Network over a planned increase in retransmission payments.[21]

Programming

[edit]

Hockey telecasts

[edit]

The NHL Network originally shared some programming with its now-defunct sister network in Canada, with the main differences in programming between the two networks being the carriage of domestically targeted commercials and live game telecasts. For those live NHL games aired throughout the season, they are primarily simulcasts of feeds from one of the team's regional rightsholders or Canadian rightsholder Sportsnet, including CBC-aired Hockey Night in Canada coverage on Saturday evenings. In 2021, the network introduced its first original broadcasts, the NHL Network Showcase, which is modeled after MLB Network's MLB Network Showcase, and air on weekend afternoons.[11][12]

NHL Network also carried selected first round games during the Stanley Cup playoffs until the 2021–22 season, when all playoff games were split between ESPN and TNT.[22]

NHL Network has also aired other hockey leagues and events, such as the American Hockey League,[23] college hockey,[24] and as official U.S. broadcaster for such IIHF events like the IIHF World Junior Championship.[25]

It is also the producer of the NHL International television service providing a global feed (both TV and online) for the All Star Game and the Stanley Cup Final.

Other programs

[edit]

This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources in this section. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (October 2021) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

• NHL Tonight (formerly NHL on the Fly) – NHL Network's signature show, which covers on- and off-ice NHL news with highlights, interviews and analysis.[26]
• NHL Now – A program that features interviews with NHL players and insight from NHL insiders. The program also shows viewers voicing their opinions from social media on noteworthy news from the day.[26]
• On the Fly – A program featuring highlights of the day's games; its current format is modeled after MLB Network's Quick Pitch.
• Top 10 – A countdown program focusing on hockey-related topics, from great performances to memorable moments.
• Frozen in Time – A retrospective program that features a look back at the greatest moments in the NHL from players, teams, and special events.
• Classic Series – A collection of highlights from a past Stanley Cup Playoff series.
• Vintage Games – NHL Network airs archived broadcasts of past NHL games in their entirety from the game's original broadcaster.
• Pioneers – A profile series in which NHL legends discuss their groundbreaking careers.
• Rink Reels – A movie program that airs hockey-related theatrical films.
• NHL Network also has the right to air various Stanley Cup films from the winning teams from different years.
• NHL Network Ice Time - A series designed for young people on the sport of hockey featuring instructions on the game and interviews with NHL Players and is hosted by Jackie Redmond.
• Breakdowns and Demos - A series featuring clips from NHL Tonight and On the Fly that go in-depth of the plays and players that make the NHL go.
• Hockeyverse Matchup of the Week — A youth-oriented program featuring highlights of a game rendered with 3D animated avatars using player and puck tracking.[27][28]

On-air staff

[edit]

Current on-air talent includes:[29]

• Bruce Boudreau - studio analyst
• Brian Boyle - studio analyst
• Jamison Coyle - studio host
• Jackie Redmond - reporter
• Ken Daneyko - studio analyst
• Jason Demers - studio analyst
• Devan Dubnyk - studio analyst
• Elliotte Friedman - network insider
• Lauren Gardner - studio host and reporter
• Steve Gelbs - studio host
• Stu Grimson - studio analyst
• Scott Hartnell - studio analyst
• Jamie Hersch - studio host
• Thomas Hickey - studio analyst
• Billy Jaffe - studio analyst
• Mike Johnson - studio analyst
• Mike Kelly - network insider
• Steve Konroyd - studio analyst
• Alexa Landestoy - studio host
• Bill Lindsay - studio analyst
• Tony Luftman - studio host
• Kelly Nash - studio host
• Dave Pagnotta - network insider
• Mark Parrish - studio analyst
• Dave Reid - studio analyst
• Mike Rupp - studio analyst
• Siera Santos - studio host
• Cory Schneider - studio analyst
• Kathryn Tappen - studio host
• Adnan Virk - studio host
• Erika Wachter - studio host
• Kevin Weekes - studio analyst

References

[edit]

1. ^ "Comcast" (PDF). Comcast.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 4, 2011.
2. ^ [1] [dead link]
3. ^ a b "The NHL/MLBAM deal is worth $1.2 billion over six years, involves equity, NHL Network shift". Awful Announcing. Retrieved August 4, 2015.
4. ^ Shoalts, David [@dshoalts] (June 1, 2015). "Bad news last week for about 20 staffers at NHL Network Canada. They were told league is closing Canadian operation Sept. 1" (Tweet). Retrieved July 17, 2015 – via Twitter.
5. ^ "What we know about the NHL on TV, radio and streaming media in 2015-16". Awful Announcing. Retrieved October 8, 2015.
6. ^ "MLB and NHL Networks to cross-promote this weekend's NHL Stadium Series game in Denver". Awful Announcing. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
7. ^ Fang, Ken (October 7, 2015). "What we know about the NHL on TV, radio and streaming media in 2015-16". Awful Announcing. Retrieved January 14, 2025.
8. ^ a b "NHL Network unveils new hockey-themed set "The Rink"". Awful Announcing. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
9. ^ "NHL, Turner Sports reach deal for games on TNT, TBS" (Press release). NHL.com. April 27, 2021. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
10. ^ "A viewing guide on how to watch NHL hockey on American television or streaming platforms". The Athletic. September 30, 2021.
11. ^ a b "Devils' postponement leads to schedule change for NHL Network Showcase debut". Awful Announcing. February 3, 2021. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
12. ^ a b "The NHL is shifting weekend games to afternoon timeslots to attract more European fans". Awful Announcing. October 31, 2018. Retrieved October 31, 2018.
13. ^ "Media Week". Mediaweek.com.
14. ^ "Sports Business Journal". Sportsbusinessdaily.com.
15. ^ [2] [dead link]
16. ^ "Packages". Dishnetwork.com.
17. ^ "CenterIce Package". DishNetwork.com.
18. ^ "AT&T U-Verse TV channel lineup scores NHL Network and NHL Network HD". NHL.com. January 12, 2009. Retrieved January 19, 2009.
19. ^ Comcast to Carry NHL Network on Digital Classic Tier, Broadcasting & Cable, June 2, 2009
20. ^ "Sling TV First Over-The-Top Provider To Offer NHL Network" (Press release). October 19, 2016.
21. ^ The Puck Stops Here: NHL Net Goes Dark On U-Verse Multichannel News October 1, 2011
22. ^ "NHL playoff games today: Full TV schedule to watch 2021 Stanley Cup playoff games". Sporting News. July 6, 2021.
23. ^ "NHL Network to air live AHL action this season". nhl.com. October 16, 2019.
24. ^ "NHL Network best place to watch college hockey". nhl.com. December 16, 2009.
25. ^ "NHL Network to air every game of 2021 World Junior Championship". nhl.com. December 16, 2020.
26. ^ a b "NHL Network Shows". nhl.com. October 2, 2021.
27. ^ Barnes, Mike (January 30, 2025). "NHL Bringing an Animated Game to Saturday Morning TV". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 8, 2025.
28. ^ Winslow, George (February 5, 2025). "Boston Bruins, NESN, NHL to Offer First Real-Time Animated Regional NHL Game". TVTechnology. Retrieved February 8, 2025.
29. ^ "NHL Network On-Air Talent". nhl.com. Retrieved October 2, 2021.

External links

[edit] Wikimedia Commons has media related to NHL Network (U.S. TV network).

• NHL Network official website

v t e National Hockey League on national television
Contract history	Sports television broadcast contracts (Canada) Sports television broadcast contracts United States By decade 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s
American network broadcasters	ABC CBS Fox NBC commentators Defunct networks Hughes RKO
Canadian network broadcasters	CBC Citytv CTV Global Radio-Canada
American cable/streaming carriers	ESPN/ESPN+ commentators TNT/Max USA Defunct channels HDNet SportsChannel America NBCSN
Canadian cable/streaming carriers	Sportsnet Amazon Prime Video commentators TSN French language channels RDS RDS Info TVA Sports Defunct channels Superchannel
NHL owned and operated	American NHL Center Ice NHL Network (1975–79) NHL Network (2007–present) Canadian NHL Centre Ice NHL Network
News television series	American NHL 2Night NHL Tonight The Point Canadian Hockey Central NHL Tonight That's Hockey
Specialty programming	American Hockey Weekend Across America NHL Game of the Week Hockey Saturday NHL Network Showcase Wednesday Night Hockey Wednesday Night Rivalry Sunday Night Hockey Canadian Hockey Day in Canada Hometown Hockey Making the Cut: Last Man Standing Oil Change Monday Night Hockey Scotiabank Wednesday Night Hockey
Broadcasters by event	All-Star Game Stadium Series, Winter and Heritage Classic Postseason Stanley Cup Final American Canadian
Local broadcasters	Current broadcasters Over-the-air broadcasters Individual networks Breakaway PPV Hawkvision Leafs Nation Network MSG Western New York (Sabres Hockey Network) Individual series Hockey Night Live! Pittsburgh Penguins Confidential
Ratings	Stanley Cup Final ABC NBC

v t e National sports broadcasting in the United States
Sports broadcasting contracts in the United States
Broadcast	Major Networks CBS Sports CW Sports ESPN on ABC Fox Sports NBC Sports Other Scripps Sports Telemundo Deportes TUDN on Univision
Cable / Linear	General CBS Sports Network ESPN ESPN2 ESPNews ESPN Deportes FS1 FS2 Fox Deportes NBCSN TUDN (Univision Sports) Pro league affiliated MLB Network Extra InningsO Strike ZoneP NBA TV NBA League PassO NFL Network NFL RedZoneP NHL Network NHL Center IceO Occasional AXS TV CBS Sports: Nickelodeon NBC Sports: CNBC USA Network Universo TNT Sports: TBS TNT TruTV College specific ACC Network Big Ten Network ESPNU SEC Network Niche The Action Channel beIN SportsP beIN Sports en EspañolP The Cowboy Channel FanDuel TVP FanDuel RacingP Fox Soccer PlusP Golf Channel MAVTV Next Level Sports Outdoor Channel Sportsman Channel World Fishing Network Pursuit Channel Racetrack Television Network Tennis Channel TyC SportsP WillowP
Streaming	General CBS Sports HQ DAZN ESPN Flagship/ESPN+ FloSports Fox One NBC Sports NOW Red Bull TV Stadium Pro league affiliated MLB Network MLB.tvO MLS Season PassO NBA League PassO NFL+ (NFL RedZoneP) NFL Sunday TicketO NHL.TVO Occasional Apple TV+ Disney+ (ESPN) HBO Max (TNT Sports) Netflix Paramount+ (CBS Sports) Peacock (NBC Sports) Prime Video The Roku Channel Tubi (Fox Sports) Niche Cowboy Channel+ FanDuel TV+ Honor Club MyOutdoorTV T2 TrillerNet Triller TV+ TrillerPass TNA+ UFC Fight Pass
v t e Regional sports broadcasting in the United States FanDuel Sports Network Current: Detroit Miami Florida Sun Midwest Indiana Kansas City North Ohio Southeast South Southwest Oklahoma Los Angeles West SoCal Wisconsin YES Network (part-ownership) Former: Fox College Sports Arizona Carolinas Chicago Great Lakes Houston New Orleans San Diego Fenway Sports Group NESN SportsNet Pittsburgh MSG Entertainment MSG Network MSGSN MSG Western NY NBC Sports Regional Networks Current: Bay Area Boston California Philadelphia SportsNet New York (part ownership) Former: Chicago Northwest Sinclair Broadcast Group Nevada Sports Net Marquee Sports Network (part-ownership) Spectrum Sports Current: Hawaii Kansas City Los Angeles Spectrum SportsNet SportsNet LA SportsNet New York (part ownership) Former: Carolinas Florida New York Ohio Wisconsin Texas Gray Media Arizona's Family Sports Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network Matrix Midwest Palmetto Sports & Entertainment Peachtree Sports Network Rock Entertainment Sports Network (part ownership) Tennessee Valley Sports Entertainment Network Silver State Sports & Entertainment Network Independent Altitude Sports Buckeye Cable Sports BYU TV Sports Chicago Sports Network Cyclones.tv LFSN MASN MLB Local Media Monumental Sports Network Rangers Sports Network Root Sports Northwest Space City Home Network Midco Sports Scripps Sports (local broadcast) SWX Right Now Victory+ Defunct AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain Comcast/Charter Sports Southeast Comcast Entertainment Television Comcast Network Empire Sports Network MountainWest Sports Network Prime Sports La Cadena Deportiva Upper Midwest PRISM Pro-Am Sports System Root Sports Utah SportsChannel Cincinnati Los Angeles Philadelphia Sports Time Turner South Victory Sports One
v t e Defunct television sports networks in the United States National America One American Sports Classics American Sports Network Back9Network Baseball Network CNN/SI ESPN 3D ESPN Classic ESPN Goal Line & Bases Loaded ESPN Events Football Network Fox Soccer Lorimar Sports Network Mizlou NBCSN NHL Network (1975–1979) NewSport One World Sports ONTV Olympic Channel Speed SportsChannel America Stadium College Sports Sports Network Universal Sports Network Regional 4SD ACC RSN Arizona Sports Programming Network/Cox Sports AT&T SportsNet Root Sports Utah AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain Bally Sports Arizona New Orleans San Diego Carolinas SE Comcast SportsNet Southeast Southwest Cox Communications Cox Sports Cox Sports Television Empire Fox Sports Networks Carolinas Chicago Houston Tennessee GiantsVision Hawkvision MountainWest NBC Sports Chicago NBC Sports Northwest Oregon Sports Network Pac-12 Network PASS Sports Prime Sports Prime Sports Upper Midwest PRISM Royals Sports San Diego Cable Sports Network Spectrum Spectrum Sports Carolinas Florida New York Ohio Texas Wisconsin SportsChannel Cincinnati Los Angeles Philadelphia Sports Time Sportsvision Sportsvue Victory Sports One Syndication Raycom Sports (ACC Network) Big 12 Network SEC TV TVS Out-of-market ESPN College Extra ESPN Full Court ESPN GamePlan NCAA Mega March Madness MLS Direct Kick NASCAR Hot Pass
O. Out-of-market sports packages P. Premium channel

v t e NHL Network (1975–1979)
Related programs	Hockey Night in Canada NHL on Hughes
Related articles	NHL Network (Canada) NHL Network (United States) Hughes Television Network History of the NHL on United States television 1970s Stanley Cup Final television ratings Affiliates KCAL WPCH WSBK WTAF WOR
Commentators	All-Star Game Stanley Cup Final American television Historical NHL over-the-air television broadcasters
Key figures	Play-by-play announcers Marv Albert Fred Cusick Ted Darling Don Earle Jim Gordon Gene Hart Dan Kelly Jiggs McDonald Sam Nover Brad Palmer Tim Ryan Color commentators Don Awrey Curt Bennett Bill Chadwick Terry Crisp Gary Dornhoefer Phil Esposito John Ferguson Sr. Eddie Giacomin Bobby Hull Steve Jensen George Michael Stan Mikita Lou Nanne Bobby Orr Chico Resch Garry Unger Studio hosts/analysts Stan Fischler Dick Stockton Jim Simpson Scott Wahle CBC playoff feeds Bob Cole Gary Dornhoefer Danny Gallivan Dave Hodge Dick Irvin Jr. Jim Robson
Stanley Cup Final	1976 1977 1978 1979
All-Star Game	1976 1977 1978 1979
Super Series	1976 (Flyers–Red Army game)