Arizona Coyotes Partner with Scripps Sports to Air Games
The Arizona Coyotes have struck a four-year deal with Scripps Sports, making them the second NHL team to broadcast games over the air. In this agreement, Scripps will broadcast all non-national Coyotes games to approximately 3 million viewers in Arizona and Utah. The Vegas Golden Knights are currently the only other NHL team to have their games broadcast over the air.
Coyotes President and CEO Xavier Gutierrez expressed the importance of reaching a wider audience and capturing new fans through this regional sports model. The deal with Scripps comes after Diamond Sports Net Arizona ended its telecast rights agreement with the Coyotes. Diamond Sports has been undergoing Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings since March.
The Coyotes will have most of their games broadcast on ABC's Phoenix affiliate, both over the air and on cable. The exception is the December 21 game against San Jose, which will be shown on ESPN Plus. Additionally, the games will be aired on KGUN in Tucson and two stations in Salt Lake City, all owned by Scripps.
The Coyotes' broadcast team will remain intact, providing pregame and postgame coverage. The team is also working on a streaming option for fans to watch the games. With the media landscape experiencing disruption, the Coyotes were concerned about ensuring their games could be seen in the market.
The Arizona Coyotes will kick off their season on October 13th against the New Jersey Devils.
Implications of the Coyotes' Deal with Scripps Sports for New Businesses
The Arizona Coyotes' four-year deal with Scripps Sports signals a significant shift in the sports broadcasting landscape, and it's one that new businesses, particularly in the media and sports sectors, should pay attention to. This agreement, which will see Coyotes games broadcast to approximately 3 million viewers in Arizona and Utah, highlights the growing importance of reaching wider audiences and capturing new fans through innovative broadcasting models.
Adapting to a Disrupted Media Landscape
The Coyotes' move comes in the wake of Diamond Sports Net Arizona's bankruptcy proceedings, showing how businesses need to adapt to disruptions in the media landscape. This could serve as a lesson for new businesses to remain flexible and open to new partnerships and broadcasting methods.
Embracing New Technologies and Platforms
The Coyotes' plan to provide a streaming option for fans to watch their games reflects the growing trend of online streaming in the sports industry. For new businesses, this underscores the need to embrace new technologies and platforms to reach their target audience.
In conclusion, the Coyotes' deal with Scripps Sports is a testament to the evolving nature of the sports and media industries. As these sectors continue to change and grow, new businesses must stay ahead of the curve and adapt to these shifts to succeed.
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