An Exciting New Era for Anaheim Ducks Fans: Enhanced Accessibility and Free Viewing
The Anaheim Ducks are ushering in a new era of accessibility for their local game broadcasts by shifting to a combination of direct-to-consumer streaming and local broadcasts. This strategic move aims to ensure that fans across the Ducks' TV market can easily access and enjoy the games.
A Broader Reach with Over-the-Air Broadcasts
Starting next season, 65 of the Ducks' games will be broadcast on an over-the-air channel in Los Angeles, specifically Channel 13. This marks a significant shift from their previous broadcasting arrangement with Diamond Sports Group, whose contract expired at the end of the 2023-24 season. Diamond Sports Group is currently embroiled in bankruptcy proceedings in Texas, which undoubtedly factored into the Ducks' decision to move in a different direction.
Free Streaming on Victory+
Complementing the over-the-air broadcasts, all games will be regionally streamed on the Victory+ streaming service at no cost to viewers. Victory+ offers a free, ad-supported service and will be accessible on smart TVs, tablets, and smartphones starting in September. This ensures that fans, whether they're at home or on the go, can tune in to watch the Ducks play without incurring any charges.
“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,” said Ducks president Aaron Teats. “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.”
A Parent Media Partnership
The Ducks have partnered with A Parent Media to facilitate this new broadcasting arrangement. Jason Walsh, the chief operating officer for A Parent Media, highlighted the Ducks' existing expertise in content coordination, stating, “The Ducks are already a significant content coordinator and have a team president with a broadcasting background.”
The Broadcasting Team Remains Intact
Fans of the Ducks will be pleased to hear that their favorite broadcasting voices will remain unchanged. Brian Hayward and John Ahlers will continue to be part of the Ducks' broadcast team, providing the same insightful commentary and analysis that fans have come to appreciate over the years.
Regional Coverage
This new broadcasting arrangement covers the Ducks' extensive regional territory, including Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Imperial, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties, as well as Hawaii. This broad coverage ensures that fans from various locales can enjoy uninterrupted access to Ducks games.
Industry-Wide Changes
The Ducks are not alone in making significant changes to their broadcasting strategies. The Florida Panthers, for instance, are moving their local broadcasts to Scripps Sports, while the Dallas Stars plan to stream their games regionally on Victory+, similar to the Ducks' approach.
Interestingly, Diamond Sports Group still retains broadcasting agreements for eight NHL teams for the 2024-25 season and maintains deals with the Los Angeles Angels (MLB) and the LA Clippers (NBA). However, with the Ducks' departure from Diamond, it becomes evident that teams are exploring alternative broadcasting solutions to enhance fan engagement.
Conclusion
In summary, the Anaheim Ducks' strategic shift to a combination of over-the-air broadcasts and free streaming on Victory+ is a forward-thinking move designed to maximize accessibility and engagement for their fans. With trusted partners and the continued presence of beloved broadcasters, the Ducks are poised to provide an unparalleled viewing experience for their regional fanbase. This move not only reflects the changing dynamics of sports broadcasting but also reinforces the Ducks' commitment to their fans.