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Sport

ITV extends Prem Rugby FTA TV deal until 2028

by Alex Carter - Sports Editor
written by Alex Carter - Sports Editor

how to Watch NHL Games: A Comprehensive Guide to Streaming, TV, and International Options

For hockey fans, staying connected to the fast-paced action of the National Hockey League is a priority. Whether you’re a devoted follower of a specific team or simply enjoy the thrill of the game, knowing your viewing options is crucial. this article provides a comprehensive overview of how to watch NHL games in 2024,covering streaming services,conventional television broadcasts,international availability,and free-to-air (FTA) options. We’ll delve into the details, ensuring you don’t miss a single moment of the season.

Streaming NHL Games: The Rise of Direct-to-Consumer Options

The way fans consume NHL content has dramatically shifted in recent years, with streaming services taking center stage.This offers increased adaptability and accessibility compared to traditional cable or satellite television.

ESPN+ and Hulu: A Dominant Duo in the US

In the United States, ESPN+ and Hulu are the primary streaming homes for NHL games. A significant agreement between the NHL and ESPN https://corporate.espn.com/news/story/?id=34699998 grants these platforms exclusive streaming rights to over 1,000 out-of-market games each season.

* ESPN+: Offers a wide range of NHL coverage, including live games, on-demand replays, and original programming. A subscription to ESPN+ is required to access this content.
* Hulu: Hulu + Live TV bundles ESPN+ and disney+ alongside live television channels, providing a comprehensive entertainment package. This is a good option for cord-cutters who still want access to traditional TV channels.

It’s vital to note that blackout restrictions apply to games broadcast on ESPN+, meaning local games may not be available in your area.

DAZN: Expanding Global Reach

DAZN https://sportspro.com/company/dazn/ has become a major player in sports streaming, and it distributes NHL.TV direct-to-consumer (DTC) service in certain regions. DAZN’s availability and NHL coverage vary by country, but it’s a key option for fans in Canada, Germany, and other international markets. DAZN frequently enough offers monthly or annual subscriptions, providing access to a wide range of live sports content.

NHL.TV: The League’s Official Streaming Service

NHL.TV (now rebranded as NHL Power Play) remains a viable option for dedicated fans, particularly those interested in following multiple teams or accessing archived games. NHL Power Play offers a variety of subscription packages, including single-team and league-wide access. Tho, it’s crucial to be aware of blackout restrictions, which can significantly limit the availability of games in your region.

Traditional Television: Still a Relevant Option

While streaming is gaining prominence, traditional television remains a popular way to watch NHL games, especially for those who prefer a more familiar viewing experience.

National Broadcast Partners

In the US,national NHL coverage is primarily provided by:

* TNT: TNT broadcasts a selection of high-profile games throughout the season,including playoff matchups.
* ABC: ABC typically airs select games, including the Stanley Cup Finals.
* NBC: While NBC’s coverage has decreased with the ESPN deal, they still occasionally broadcast games.

Regional Sports networks (RSNs)

Regional Sports Networks (RSNs) are essential for watching games involving your local team. These networks typically require a cable or satellite subscription and often offer streaming options through their own apps.However, the landscape of rsns is evolving, with some networks transitioning to streaming-only models.

International Viewing Options: A Global Game

The NHL’s popularity extends far beyond North America, and several international broadcasters carry games.

Canada: A Hockey Nation

In canada, Sportsnet and TSN are the primary broadcasters of NHL games.These networks offer comprehensive coverage, including national games, regional games, and playoff action. DAZN also plays a significant role in Canadian NHL coverage.

United Kingdom and europe: FTA and Subscription Services

NHL games were regularly transmitted FTA in the UK during the 2000s as part of Channel 5’s late night sports coverage. While FTA options are now more limited, Premier Sports broadcasts NHL games in the UK and Ireland. Across Europe, coverage varies by country, with some regions relying on subscription services like Viasat and DAZN.

Australia: Streaming and Delayed Broadcasts

in Australia, Fox Sports broadcasts NHL games, often on a delayed basis due to the time difference. Streaming options are also available through Foxtel Now.

Free-to-Air (FTA) Options: Limited but Available

While comprehensive FTA coverage of the NHL is rare, some opportunities exist.

* Occasional Broadcasts: Certain networks may occasionally broadcast NHL games as part of special events or promotional programming.
* Free Trials: Many streaming services offer free trials, allowing you to watch games for a limited time without a subscription.

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Sport

ITV Extends Free‑to‑Air Premiership Rugby Deal to 2028

by Alex Carter - Sports Editor
written by Alex Carter - Sports Editor

ITV and Premiership Rugby Extend Broadcast Partnership, Ensuring Continued Free-to-Air Access

ITV and Premiership Rugby have announced an extension to​ their broadcast partnership, guaranteeing free-to-air coverage of Gallagher Premiership Rugby matches for UK​ audiences.‍ The⁢ renewed deal, building on‌ a successful five-year ‍collaboration, will continue to showcase the league’s stars alongside coverage of the Six Nations Championship, ⁢broadening the reach of England’s top‌ flight of rugby union. https://www.sportindustry.biz/news/itv-and-premiership-rugby-extend-broadcast-deal/

This continuation of the partnership is significant for both organizations and,‌ crucially, for rugby fans across the united Kingdom. It‍ ensures that a substantial portion of‍ Premiership ‌Rugby remains accessible to a wide audience,‍ avoiding the fragmentation of coverage often seen in modern sports broadcasting.

The importance of Free-to-Air ‌Rugby

The‌ decision to maintain free-to-air coverage is a strategic one, recognizing the importance of accessibility in growing ⁢the sport’s fanbase. While subscription services have become increasingly dominant in sports broadcasting, free-to-air television still plays a vital role in introducing new audiences to rugby⁢ and maintaining its presence in‍ the national consciousness.

“Deal means ITV ⁤continues to deliver free-to-air rugby for audiences in the UK,​ adding to ⁣our already expanding rugby portfolio,” stated ⁣a representative ‌from ITV. This highlights ITV’s commitment to rugby as a whole,‍ complementing its existing coverage of international competitions like the ⁢six Nations.

The benefits of free-to-air broadcasting extend‍ beyond simply reaching a larger audience. It fosters a sense of community around‍ the sport,allowing families ⁢and friends to share in the excitement of ⁢live matches. It also provides ‍a platform for‌ showcasing the league’s talent and attracting potential sponsors.

A ‍Five-Year Partnership ​Built on Success

The‌ partnership between ITV and Premiership ⁤Rugby began in 2019, and has demonstrably increased ⁣the visibility⁢ of ​the league. Prior to ⁣this, ⁤coverage ​was more fragmented, relying heavily on subscription-based channels. ITV’s commitment has provided consistent​ exposure, ⁣contributing to increased attendance at matches and growing engagement with ‍the league’s digital platforms. https://www.premiershiprugby.com/news/itv-and-premiership-rugby-extend-broadcast-deal

Ollie Lewis, Head of Broadcast for Premiership rugby, emphasized‌ the value of the continued collaboration: “We are delighted to continue our partnership with ITV, which is now into‍ its fifth year.⁤ Giving fans of Gallagher Premiership Rugby free-to-air​ access across the season, alongside the Six Nations, is the perfect‌ blend to showcase ⁣the stars of our league to wider audiences.”

This “perfect ‌blend” is key. By aligning Premiership Rugby coverage with the‌ highly popular Six Nations Championship, ITV can leverage the existing interest in international rugby to draw viewers to the domestic league. This cross-promotion benefits ‍both competitions, creating a more robust and‍ engaged rugby audience.

What does This⁣ Mean ​for Fans?

For fans, the extended partnership⁢ means ⁤continued ‍access to live Premiership Rugby matches on ⁣ITV’s channels – including ITV, ⁣ITV2, ITV3, and ITV4 – ⁣and its streaming service, ITVX. The specific schedule of matches‌ to⁣ be broadcast will be announced in due course, but fans can expect a selection ​of​ key fixtures throughout the season.

the availability of matches on ITVX is particularly significant, as it allows viewers to watch live or ​on-demand, providing greater flexibility⁣ and convenience.⁢ ITVX is‍ a rapidly growing streaming platform, and its inclusion in the broadcast deal demonstrates ‌ITV’s commitment to ‍reaching audiences⁢ through a variety ‍of channels.

The Broader Landscape of Rugby Broadcasting

The ITV-Premiership Rugby deal takes place within‍ a complex and evolving⁢ landscape of sports broadcasting rights. Other major rugby competitions, such‌ as the United Rugby Championship (URC) and Super Rugby Pacific, are broadcast‌ on different platforms, often requiring​ subscriptions to services like TNT Sports (formerly BT ⁤Sport).

The fragmentation of broadcasting ⁤rights can ⁣be frustrating for⁤ fans,forcing them to subscribe to ⁢multiple services to follow all of⁤ their favorite competitions. ​ however,it‍ also reflects the increasing competition for sports broadcasting rights,driven by the growing demand for live sports content.

The decision by Premiership Rugby to prioritize free-to-air⁤ coverage with⁢ ITV is thus a notable ​one, demonstrating a commitment ​to accessibility and‍ a recognition of the importance of reaching a broad ‌audience. It‌ also positions ⁢the ⁢league well in⁤ a market were fans are increasingly‌ seeking value for money and convenience.

Looking Ahead: Growth and Innovation in rugby Broadcasting

The future of rugby​ broadcasting is likely to⁢ be shaped by⁣ several key trends, including the continued growth of streaming services, the increasing use of data analytics to enhance ⁢the viewing experience, and the​ progress of new technologies ⁣such as virtual reality and ‍augmented reality.

ITV ‍and Premiership Rugby are well-positioned ‍to capitalize on these trends. ITV’s investment in

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News

Professional Rugby Collapse: The Jenga Effect Explained

by Emma Walker – News Editor
written by Emma Walker – News Editor

Okay, here’s a breakdown of the HTML provided, focusing on its structure and content. I’ll categorize it for clarity. This is a long piece of content,so I’ll be fairly detailed.

1. Styles (Within <style> tags)

This section contains CSS rules that style elements on the page. Here’s a summary:

* .newsletter-banner-content a:hover: Underlines links within the newsletter banner when hovered over.
* .newsletter-banner-content img: Sets the maximum width of images in the newsletter banner to 100% of their container, maintains aspect ratio (height: auto), and adds 10px of margin above and below.
* #mc_embed_signup #mce-success-response: Styles the success message for a Mailchimp signup form. It’s initially hidden, colored blue, and has some margin and width settings.
* #mc_embed_signup div#mce-responses: Styles the container for responses from the Mailchimp signup form. It’s floated left, positioned slightly above, has no padding, overflow hidden, 100% width, no margin, and clears both floats.

2. Article Structure & Content

This is the main body of the article.

* Heading 1 (<h2>): “Professional rugby on the slide?”
* Paragraphs (<p>): The core of the article. It’s a long-form piece arguing that professional rugby is facing a structural crisis. The central metaphor is a game of Jenga,where removing supports has weakened the entire structure,and collapse is inevitable. Key points:
* Value has been extracted from domestic leagues and centralized.
* Repeated “reforms” have been superficial and haven’t addressed the underlying issues.
* The shock absorbers are gone, leaving the game exposed.
* International rugby has already consolidated and is no longer at risk.
* Franchising and contraction are the last attempts to save the system,but they’re happening under unsustainable conditions.
* The author argues that survival is being mistaken for success.
* The problem isn’t a lack of passion or interest, but a flawed economic architecture.
* “Read More” Sections (<aside class="read-more">): These are promotional blocks linking to other articles on the same website (City A.M.). Each includes:
* <h5> (Read more label)
* <h4> (Title of the linked article)
* <a> (Link to the article with target="_blank" and rel="noopener noreferrer" for opening in a new tab)
* Heading 2 (<h2>): “The future”
* More Paragraphs (<p>): Continues the Jenga metaphor, arguing that international rugby is simply the layer that hasn’t triggered the collapse yet. It criticizes the idea of choosing between different rugby products (sevens, Premiership, etc.) because they all share the same flawed foundation.
* Article Footer (<footer>): Contains tags/categories for the article.
* <h2> (screen-reader-text)
* <nav class="tags"> sections for:
* Sections
* Categories
* People & Organisations
* Related Topics
* Twitter Widget Script: <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> This script loads the Twitter widgets, likely to display share buttons or embedded tweets.

Key Observations & Purpose

* Analytical/Opinion Piece: This is a strongly worded opinion piece, not a news report. It’s a critical analysis of the state of professional rugby.
* Metaphor-Driven: The Jenga metaphor is central to the argument and is used consistently throughout the article.
* Website Integration: The “Read More” sections and tag navigation are designed to keep users engaged on the City A.M. website.
* Target Audience: The article is likely aimed at people interested in sports business, rugby, and financial analysis.
* Mailchimp Integration: The CSS styles suggest the page includes a Mailchimp newsletter signup form (though the form itself isn’t present in this snippet).

this HTML represents a well-structured, long-form article presenting a critical viewpoint on the financial and structural problems facing professional rugby.

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Sport

Prem Rugby to Launch Ring‑Fenced Franchise League in 2029/30

by Alex Carter - Sports Editor
written by Alex Carter - Sports Editor
  • Franchise competition would start in 2029/30 with Prem’s ten clubs, plus expansion teams
  • Expressions of interest from expansion clubs could be invited in 2027
  • Promotion and relegation still currently in place but reportedly unlikely to be implemented

England’s top-flight Prem Rugby could become a ring-fenced league from 2029, according to The Times.

Radical changes to the rugby union competition have been discussed for years, including possibly adopting a franchise model similar to cricket’s Indian Premier league (IPL) and the Hundred.

Bruce craig, owner of Prem Rugby champions Bath Rugby, has backed moving to a franchise league, warning that the elite English club game is “out of step with modern accomplished rugby governance”.

The Times reported last September that plans to suspend relegation from Prem Rugby and expand the English top flight from ten to 12 clubs over the next two years had been agreed in principle.

Now, the newspaper reports that Prem rugby, the second-tier Champ Rugby and the Rugby Football Union (RFU) are working towards launching the top division as a standalone ‘expansion’ league for the 2029/30 season.

A ring-fenced league would provide greater security for investors who fear the impact of relegation on a club. A franchise model also typically leads to centralizing commercial operations.

Once the new format is agreed,Prem Rugby clubs will reportedly explore additional external investment. city AM reported last June that Prem rugby had tapped raine Group and Deloitte to manage potential investment in the league or its teams.

Prem Rugby sold a 27 per cent stake to private equity giant CVC Capital Partners in a UK£200 million (US$270 million) deal at the end of 2018.

Exeter Chiefs, whose holding company announced an after-tax loss of UK£10.3 million (US$13.9 million) this week, is one club hopeful of securing a new investor this year.

A study released in November by corporate recovery and insolvency firm Leonard Curtis revealed that not a single Prem Rugby club made a profit for the third successive year.

Prem Rugby’s ten existing clubs would feature in the franchise competition, with expansion sides selected strategically based on their business and commercial case – mirroring the approach taken in US major leagues.

Work is underway to agree on the optimum entry criteria and finalize a mechanism for removing underperforming clubs from the top flight.

Expressions of interest from expansion clubs could be invited in 2027, giving teams time to prepare. Birmingham, Kent and Yorkshire have been touted as options, while the return of Wasps, Worcester Warriors and London Irish – who all went into administration earlier in the decade – could also be considered.

The current promotion and relegation system technically remains in place, but according to The Times, is unlikely to be implemented.

Champ Rugby has previously opposed scrapping promotion and relegation but is now reportedly working with Prem Rugby and the RFU to find a solution.

Any change to the structure of the English club game would require approval from the RFU council. A proposal will be brought forward once a broad agreement is reached, potentially as early as next month’s council meeting.

Saracens chief executive Charlie beall told SportsPro at the start of the 2025/26 Prem Rugby season that he would support a franchise model with certain assurances.

“The definition of a franchise league is still being contested, but in theory if you didn’t have relegation I think that would make the league and the teams more investable, which would then give you the possibility to attract new capital partners,” said Beall.

“If a franchise model meant that you could grow the league over time by carefully selecting who would get access to promotion into that league, you could carefully grow it in a sustainable way.

“If those were the fundamentals that went into a franchise model, speaking from a personal outlook, I’d welcome that.” 

Combining richer content, in-depth data and exclusive community benefits, SportsPro+ is yoru VIP pass into the global sports industry. Discover more here.

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Business

Tony Rowe Urges Rugby to Americanise in Britain

by Priya Shah – Business Editor
written by Priya Shah – Business Editor


 |  Updated: 

I never thought I would say it but rugby needs to learn from Formula E.

I never thought I would say it but rugby needs to learn from Formula E if it is to survive long into the future.

Because the all-electric racing series, despite being a country mile behind Formula 1, has innovated throughout its decade-long existence.

Formula E, until 2022, had a Fan Boost feature, where supporters could vote online for a driver they wanted to receive an engine power-up in the weekend’s race.

It is a leftfield idea, but the thought process behind getting spectators involved during a rugby match could be one that attracts casual fans.

Rugby fans are a cultural bunch, or they like to think they are, but a day out at one of Prem Rugby’s stadiums, or an international equivalent, needs to be Spursified; fans need to be encouraged to spend hours either side of play enjoying food, drink and experiences which enhance the coffers of the host team.

Imagine a food festival in conjunction with the council on the field next to Bath’s Rec, or making use of the historic clubhouse at Gloucester to stage intimate live music events post-match. Those family friendly experiences could generate income away from the traditional pasty-and-pint audience.

Rugby future needs sorting

“As we grow it, and franchise it, it should be played in 20-minute blocks,” Exeter Chiefs owner chairman Tony Rowe told the Telegraph recently. “Play four 20-minute quarters. And maybe you could have a squad of 30 with rolling replacements. The game has to appeal to younger people.”

He’s right. Rugby in the Prem needs to be Americanised, because the youth of today are the ones that will – hopefully – be buying season tickets for the next 50 years. And those youngsters are increasingly looking Stateside for their sporting fix, or for the conversations that happen around the pitch.

The balance must be struck between offering the current paying public a palatable product that doesn’t feel alien, while going to the moon and back for the next generation of fans. 

And of course that doesn’t all happen on the pitch; how rugby is broadcast and presented matters too. 

Take a look at CBS Sports Golazo for football’s Champions League coverage. The host and three guests are together week in, week out building relationships and storylines with the fans – I imagine some tune in for host Kate Scott’s weekly attack on former Manchester City player Micah Richards rather than the football itself.

Ch ch changes

All of this comes against a backdrop of a game that looks to be getting more and more complicated. Changes to line-outs, the dead ball zone, the television match official’s role and tackle heights have all taken away from the physical nature of a sport that on paper should be popular across the land.

New fans, young and old, need to be able to sit down and understand the majority – even if not all – of the game without needing to put their seat neighbour through a Mastermind-style specialist subject interrogation.

And that’s where fan participation comes in, much like Formula E did. Could the crowd ultimately decide where a conversion is taken from, the 10-minute period the front rows are changed over, or who kicks into the wind in the first half?

The point is this: rugby needs to get radical to ensure that those who cannot afford to watch England at Allianz Stadium at £150 a ticket do not completely ditch the sport because it is inaccessible.

And the only way to prove to that next generation that it is a great sport at a good price is at a game. The sport cannot sit down and take the financial beating it has done recently for much longer.

Former England Sevens captain Ollie Phillips is the founder of Optimist Performance and is rowing the Atlantic to raise money for MND charities. Donate and follow at World’s Toughest Row

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