The Ducks have entered into a new broadcast agreement with Victory+ and KCOP Channel 13 that will stream all of their local games and broadcast 65 of their 82 regular-season contests on local television, as confirmed by the team and both networks Tuesday.
Apart from any nationally televised games – the Ducks had four last year and will likely have a similar number this season – every game will be available at no cost on the Victory+ app for all internet-enabled devices. Additionally, 65 games will be broadcast on KCOP, also known as Fox 11 Plus.
The Ducks joined a number of franchises who have eschewed traditional relationships with regional sports networks – like the one the Ducks had with Bally Sports and its various iterations across a quarter century – in favor of forward-facing initiatives in the changing landscape of cable, streaming and broadcast media. The Dallas Stars also partnered with Victory+ and its overseer, A Parent Media Co., for a similar arrangement that will also begin in the upcoming season.
Where deals with RSN entities centered on contracts with largely set values, these arrangements tend toward baseline revenue guarantees with opportunities to share in net ad revenue once a specific threshold is reached. Both the potential for targeted digital ads and the effective 100% market penetration – something that had become a significant issue for viewers and teams alike as platforms proliferated and the NHL itself made new national multi-platform deals with two different networks – should raise the ceiling for the Ducks.
“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,” Ducks President Aaron Teats said in a concerted news release. “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.”
He added: “We want to thank Diamond Sports Group and Bally Sports, and the personnel who have been incredible partners over the last 25 years who brought Ducks hockey to our region and fans.”
The Ducks, who had already innovated in the online radio space with Ducks Stream, will be producing “ancillary content” that will supplement game-night coverage and give fans multiple ways to follow the team on a constant basis.
“Welcoming the Anaheim Ducks to Victory+ signifies our ongoing commitment to providing accessible and high-quality sports content to our viewers,” said Neil Gruninger, president CEO of APMC. “The Anaheim Ducks have a forward-thinking approach to bringing new viewers into the fanbase and will make an excellent addition to the Victory+ lineup.”
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Much like the Stars, whose television market encompasses at least four entire states, the Ducks’ market comprises a considerable expanse from the southern border to Santa Barbara County within California as well as the state of Hawaii.
“We are proud to be the home of the Anaheim Ducks by offering a free over-the-air option for their fans,” said Steve Carlston, senior vice president of FOX 11 and KCOP 13. “Broadcasting the Ducks on FOX 11 Plus is a natural addition to our station’s lineup of robust sports coverage, and we look forward to using this partnership as an opportunity to expand their visibility in our region.”
