DAZN has secured streaming rights for the Los Angeles Kings starting with the 2026-27 NHL season, targeting the vital Southern California market. Walker Jacobs, global head of revenue and president of DAZN USA, said the platform is expanding its regional North American hockey portfolio beyond traditional broadcasting limitations.
Fantasy & Market Impact
- Local Market Reach: LA Kings fans gain direct digital access via DAZN packages priced between $19.99 and $24.99 monthly, or season passes ranging from $129.99 to $149.99.
- Broadcast Continuity: Viewers retain traditional broadcast integrations, as DAZN directly retransmits the linear signal from Angels Broadcast Television (ABTV).
- National Blackouts Apply: Local subscription streams do not include high-profile matchups exclusively held by national networks like ESPN and TNT Sports.
Cracking the US Market Through Regional Hockey Rights
For a global streaming giant historically recognized in the United States for combat sports and boxing, breaking into major American legacy sports leagues has proved challenging. Escalating media rights fees and entrenched competition from tech titans like Apple, Amazon, YouTube, and Netflix have traditionally locked out digital-first platforms. But a unique shift in regional broadcasting rights opened a strategic corridor for DAZN ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.
Walker Jacobs, global head of revenue and president of DAZN USA, pointed to a clear conflux of events that finally cracked open the door. Rather than launching an expensive bidding war for tier-one national packages, the platform targeted regional distribution networks. The Kings deal serves as a strategic move, using Los Angeles's large population, strong sports culture, and history of interest in combat sports to expand the team's presence in the US.
Inside the ABTV Partnership and League-Wide Portfolio Expansion
The operational framework of the agreement relies on existing media structures in Southern California. ABTV—the rebranded network born after the Angels acquired FanDuel Sports Network West—maintains its multi-year local rights contract with the Kings. Rather than bypassing local gatekeepers, DAZN partnered directly with ABTV to license the linear feed.
This means subscribers will experience zero disruption in on-air personnel. The broadcast will preserve ABTV’s commentary teams, pre-game and post-game analysis shows, intermission coverage, and custom on-screen graphics. Subscribers can access the streams on mobile devices or cast them directly to connected living room hardware.
The Los Angeles agreement is part of a wider aggressive push into NHL regional markets. DAZN’s updated hockey portfolio now encompasses live streaming for the New York Rangers, New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders, and Buffalo Sabres, alongside a non-exclusive arrangement for the Washington Capitals. Because DAZN also operates as the international distributor for NHL.TV, the platform covers both local die-hards and expatriate fans travelling abroad.
| Subscription Tier | Pricing Structure | Inclusions & Exclusions |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Standard | $19.99 / month | All local Kings broadcasts; excludes national ESPN/TNT games. |
| Monthly Premium | $24.99 / month | Enhanced platform tiers; excludes national exclusive broadcasts. |
| Full Season Standard | $129.99 / season | Full local regular-season calendar coverage. |
| Full Season Premium | $149.99 / season | Complete local coverage with top-tier platform features. |
The Strategic Horizon for LA Sports Media
As the Kings prepare to drop the puck on their schedule—featuring early tests against Colorado and Florida encased in initial national broadcasts—the operational success of this regional rights model will face immediate scrutiny. While executives have yet to confirm plans for dedicated Spanish-language broadcasts to serve the region’s vast Latino demographic, the infrastructure is built for scale.
Securing Los Angeles establishes a critical foothold.
Disclaimer: The fantasy and market insights provided are for informational and entertainment purposes only and do not constitute financial or betting advice.
- Manchester City Guilty of 114 Financial Rule Breaches, Pochettino Describes ‘Period of Deception
- An Se-young Wins Asian Games Badminton Gold for South Korea
- Eloise Secures Third Trip to Augusta National Golf Club (news-usa.today)
- Korean Animation Studios Expand In-House Webtoon Movie Adaptations (archynewsy.com)
