NHL announces TV and streaming deal with Disney, ESPN

The National Hockey League (NHL) announced Wednesday a new TV and streaming deal with the Walt Disney Co. and ESPN.

The NHL said the deal includes:

• Exclusive coverage of the Stanley Cup Final on ABC in four of the seven years of the agreement, with the ability to simulcast/megacast on ESPN+ and additional ESPN networks
• The return of live NHL action to ESPN networks with 25 exclusive national regular-season games on ABC or ESPN
• 75 national regular-season games per season produced by ESPN that will stream exclusively on both ESPN+ and Hulu
• Half of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on ABC and ESPN each season; and coverage annually of NHL’s Face-off (opening night games)
• The NHL All-Star Game and Skills Challenge, plus other NHL special events each season.

The NHL’s out-of-market streaming package will now be available for fans to stream only as part of an ESPN+ subscription.