NHL Launches Centralized Production Operation for Regional Broadcasts; Four Teams Aboard To Start

In a time of disarray in regional sports broadcasting, the league will provide clubs with programming, technical, and infrastructure support

The NHL and its in-house media/content arm, NHL Productions, are launching a centralized-production model for club local broadcasts, supplying comprehensive production services: studio and show programming, game production, graphics and replay capabilities, and technical and engineering support.

Starting with the 2026-27 NHL regular season, NHL Productions will provide centralized production services for the Carolina Hurricanes, Columbus Blue Jackets, Minnesota Wild, and St. Louis Blues. Additional clubs may be added prior to the start of the 2026-27 season. The move comes following the closure of the Main Street Sports Group-operated FanDuel Sports Network RSNs that previously carried their games. The Anaheim Ducks, who are without a local streaming partner after cutting ties with Victory+, are also a candidate to come aboard.

Former MLB Network President Rob McGlarry is joining the league as general manager of local media to oversee the new Centralized Production Group, which will also provide strategic support for distribution and monetization of club regional game broadcasts. In addition to bringing on McGlarry, NHL President, Events and Content, Steve Mayer and Chief Media Officer David Proper have spearheaded the build-out of the operation.

The centralized-production model resembles MLB Local Media, which launched in 2023 with the Padres and now manages broadcasts for 14 clubs. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has said he expects his league to launch a centralized streaming hub for local broadcasts by the 2027-28 season.

Our Emmy Award-winning production team has a long track record of delivering world-class content and unforgettable fan experiences, says Mayer. 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.

The centralized-production offering will provide game production featuring full graphics packages, enhanced replay capabilities, and expanded (handheld, robotic, POV) camera deployments. The NHL will also provide operational infrastructure: mobile production units, experienced technical crews, engineering support, and full integration with league and arena operations.

Among expanded capabilities, pre/postgame and intermission programming will be supported by dedicated producers and onsite hosts for both home and road games. Clubs will also have access to expanded storytelling through player features, NHL EDGE content, and integrated digital and sponsorship opportunities.

As the regional-media landscape continues to evolve, says Proper, clubs need flexibility to maximize distribution and revenue from their local-broadcast model. 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.

According to SBJ, the launch is supported by a high-seven- to low-eight-figure investment in NHL Productions over the next three seasons. SBJ also reports that teams will pay the league to cover the baseline production costs of their local telecasts while retaining all revenue from distribution and advertising inventory they control. The league will fund buildout of shared production infrastructure - personnel, technology, innovation - that can be deployed across markets.

LINK:	https://www.sportsvideo.org/2026/07/21/nhl-launches-new-centralized-pr...
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