The Anaheim Ducks organization announced that it will offer all of its local broadcasts to the entirety of the Los Angeles-Orange County area for free through a new partnership with A Parent Media Co. Inc. and FOX 11 Plus. Ducks regional broadcasts can be viewed on over-the-air television network KCOP Channel 13 and streamed live on the direct-to-consumer service Victory+ free of charge.
The Ducks previously aired games on Bally Sports SoCal, but its deal with the company expired following the 2023-24 NHL season. As a result, the team will now join the Dallas Stars in airing local games free of charge through the forthcoming Victory+ streaming service. Pertaining to the broadcast television arrangement, Ducks fans will be able to view 65 of the team’s games in the region, thus rendering about 13 contests exclusive to the streaming service.
KCOP and Victory+ have the capability to reach all 8 million people in the region, comprising one of the largest media markets in the United States. Although terms of the deals were not disclosed, Alex Silverman of Sports Business Journal reports that both agreements are for more than two years in length. A Parent Media Co. is reportedly responsible for the costs pertaining to the production infrastructure, while the Ducks retain control over the broadcasters on the air and editorial direction of the broadcasts. The team has not confirmed its commentator lineup for next season; however, play-by-play announcer John Ahlers and analyst Brian Hayward are expected to return.
“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,” Aaron Teats, president of the Anaheim Ducks, said in a statement. “It is a significant organizational priority to connect with 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. 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.”
Victory+ will be available for download this September across smart televisions, tablets and smartphones, granting fans within the team’s regional television territory access to games free of charge. Fans who are outside of the range will still be able to enjoy additional content that is provided by the team through the free ad-supported streaming service. Within the service is advertising technology that will permit direct and programmatic ads to ensure advertisers can reach their engaged audience base.
“Welcoming the Anaheim Ducks to Victory+ signifies our ongoing commitment to providing accessible and high-quality sports content to our viewers,” Neil Gruninger, president and chief executive officer of A Parent Media Co. Inc., said in a statement. “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.”
Fans within the regional television territory will also be able to access the Ducks games through KCOP Channel 13 through the agreement with FOX 11 Plus. The contract removes the impediments of both cost and distribution to fans amid hastened cord cutting and a declining pay TV penetration rate in recent years. The Ducks are expected to have approximately four games allocated to NHL national rights partners ESPN and TNT for telecasts.
Furthermore, Diamond Sports Group reached a deal with the NBA and NHL last week that retains media rights through at least the upcoming season. The Ducks join a growing list of teams abandoning the regional sports network model and offering games via new avenues of distribution, a cadre that includes the Florida Panthers, Dallas Stars and Vegas Golden Knights.
“We are proud to be the home of the Anaheim Ducks by offering a free over-the-air option for their fans,” Steve Carlston, senior vice president and general manager of KTTV FOX 11 and KCOP Channel 13, said in a statement. “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.”
