The Anaheim Ducks are revolutionizing their broadcast strategy by transitioning their game coverage to a blend of direct-to-consumer streaming and traditional local broadcasts. This significant move promises to enhance accessibility for fans across the Ducks' extensive television market.
Starting next season, 65 of the Anaheim Ducks' games will be broadcast over the air on Channel 13 in Los Angeles. Additionally, each game will be regionally streamed on the Victory+ streaming service, allowing fans to tune in at no cost. The Victory+ platform, debuting in September, will be a free, ad-supported service available for download on smart TVs, tablets, and smartphones.
A Broader Reach for Ducks Fans
Ducks president Aaron Teats emphasized the motivation behind this strategic shift: “It is a significant organizational priority to connect Ducks fans with our entire market and for every fan in our region to have the opportunity to watch Ducks games without cost across multiple, accessible platforms.”
The Ducks' regional territory is expansive, covering Orange County, Los Angeles County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County, San Diego County, Imperial County, Santa Barbara County, and Ventura County, as well as extending to Hawaii. By leveraging both over-the-air broadcasts and the Victory+ streaming service, the Ducks aim to ensure that fans throughout this vast region can easily follow their favorite team.
Overhaul Following Diamond Sports Group Departure
The shift comes after the expiration of the Ducks' contract with Diamond Sports Group at the end of the 2023-24 season. Notably, Diamond Sports Group is currently embroiled in bankruptcy proceedings in Texas. Despite this, Diamond Sports Group will continue to carry games for eight NHL teams during the 2024-25 season. It also maintains agreements with the Los Angeles Angels (MLB) and the LA Clippers (NBA).
Maintaining Familiar Faces
Despite the broadcast overhaul, Ducks fans will not lose familiar voices. Brian Hayward and John Ahlers will remain as part of the Ducks' broadcast team, bringing their expert commentary and insights to the new platforms.
A Collaboration for the Future
This new broadcasting arrangement exemplifies the Ducks' strategic partnership with A Parent Media, aimed at broadening fan engagement and accessibility. Jason Walsh, the chief operating officer for A Parent Media, remarked on the Ducks' existing expertise in content coordination: “The Ducks are already a significant content coordinator and have a team president with a broadcasting background.”
Additionally, the Florida Panthers have aligned their local broadcasts with Scripps Sports, while the Dallas Stars plan to stream their games regionally on the Victory+ platform. These moves underscore a broader trend among sports teams to explore innovative broadcasting strategies that cater to the evolving preferences of their fanbases.
Free Access for All
Teats further highlighted the inclusive nature of this new arrangement: “We are so pleased to announce that fans in our entire television market, via stream or traditional television (cable or over-the-air) will see locally broadcast games free of charge.”
Ultimately, the Ducks’ decision to embrace a dual approach of streaming and traditional broadcasts marks a significant milestone in sports broadcasting. It promises to deliver an unprecedented level of accessibility and engagement for fans across their regional territory, ensuring that the excitement of Ducks hockey is available to everyone, free of charge.