Wild, NHL unveil framework for new TV broadcasts, streaming plans

The Minnesota Wild will produce and distribute their own local television broadcasts in a collaborative partnership with the NHL after the demise of FanDuel Sports Network, with games expected to be available next season on cable, satellite, a paid streaming service and free over-the-air television. Many key details — including the exact streaming platform and that subscription price, plus cable and satellite channels and over-the-air partners — have yet to be finalized, said Mitch Helgerson, chief revenue officer and executive vice president, but those details will be announced as the NHL helps complete the negotiations of those carriage packages. Helgerson acknowledged the rollout is coming later than anyone would have preferred but said the organization wanted to give fans as much information as possible now rather than wait until every detail is finalized. Helgerson said the Wild are close to announcing their over-the-air television partner but have not determined how many games will air free. Roughly 70 locally produced games are expected to be available on cable, satellite and the streaming platform, with the remainder carried nationally by ESPN and TNT. “We’re really down to a couple (direct-to-consumer streaming platforms) that we’re still evaluating,” Helgerson said. “We’re hoping to have an announcement on what that platform is going to be (soon).” According to the NHL, the production partnership will initially include the Wild, the Carolina Hurricanes, the Columbus Blue Jackets and the St. Louis Blues, and additional clubs could join before the season. “Our Emmy Award-winning production team has a long track record of delivering world-class content and unforgettable fan experiences,” said Steve Mayer, the NHL’s president of events and content. “Adding live production capabilities is a natural next step, allowing us to introduce groundbreaking technologies, innovative graphics and bold creative concepts that will bring fans even closer to the NHL.” As far as the Wild’s on-air talent, Helgerson says the “band’s back,” meaning the return of play-by-play man Anthony LaPanta, color analysts Ryan Carter, Alex Stalock and Lou Nanne, studio host Katie Storm, studio analyst Wes Walz and sideline reporter Kevin Gorg. Perhaps the biggest change won’t be visible to viewers. Instead of receiving a rights fee from a regional sports network, the Wild will now help operate the business themselves — selling advertising, sharing production costs with the NHL and taking a far more active role in distributing their broadcasts. “As the regional media landscape continues to evolve, clubs need flexibility to maximize distribution and revenue from their local broadcast model,” said David Proper, the NHL’s chief media officer and senior executive vice president. “This new model strengthens the value of regional media rights by expanding the pool of potential distribution partners, reducing dependence on outside production providers and allowing clubs to manage production investments more effectively. At the same time, it provides a foundation for the next generation of NHL production technologies and broadcast innovations.” The league’s help with production is expected to facilitate expanded storytelling through player features, more use of the NHL’s EDGE analytical content and integrated digital and sponsorship opportunities. It also includes premium game production featuring state-of-the-art graphics packages, enhanced replay capabilities and expanded camera deployments, including hand-held, robotic and point-of-view cameras. “We want this to be a top-notch, A1 production,” Helgerson said. “The league’s work with the other teams will hopefully provide us some scale … to have that higher quality production that maybe we couldn’t do on our own.” The Wild are used to getting good ratings on their broadcasts, and Helgerson said the team’s direct-to-consumer streaming metrics last season showed them more people are getting comfortable with that as the new norm. Though this won’t mirror the Minnesota Twins, Helgerson said the viewing experience should resemble the Twins’ local television model. Over the past few years, it has become harder to watch Wild games unless viewers are willing to pay for cable or satellite. At a minimum, the team hopes this will get more eyeballs on the product, with every game streamed and some free over the air. Plus, the years of regional TV network drama and bankruptcy issues will be a thing of the past. “We’re out from the shadow of the uncertainty,” Helgerson said. “I’m proud of us to do this and try to take this on. It’s a lot of work. It’s a ton of work, but we’re really excited about it. We’re blessed in Minnesota to have such great production people here that we’ve worked with for years and years and years. “And I don’t know if we would have taken this on if we didn’t have such strong folks that have worked with FanDuel forever. We’re having a lot of folks that were FanDuel employees that are coming over to work for us, and we’re keeping all the talent together. So I am really excited about it. I think where we end up is going to be exciting for fans.”