Less than a week into the new NBA regular season, the five teams whose broadcasts had been exclusively streaming on DAZN will now add linear distribution through DirecTV.
DAZN has reached a deal with DirecTV to grant access to its exclusive broadcasts of the NBA Cavaliers, Pacers, Grizzlies, Timberwolves and Spurs to users of the DirecTV streaming, satellite and U-verse plans, it was announced Monday. The multiyear pact provides DirecTV subscribers access to the games on DAZN for no additional fee.
DirecTV users will be able to use their login credentials on DAZN “[i]n the coming weeks.” In-market streaming users subscribed to the “Choice” plan or above will have access, while U-verse television customers need to have the U200 package or higher. The company also acquired distribution rights to these broadcasts for its DirecTV For Business service.
Each of the DAZN-exclusive deals already provided for select games to be available for free on the DAZN app and simulcast on local over-the-air affiliates. The DirecTV agreement covers all games, including those behind the DAZN paywall. DirecTV said in its announcement that it provides 28 of 29 U.S.-based NBA teams to its local customers, the exception being the Philadelphia 76ers. The distributor also added ClipperVision, which recently relaunched with linear distribution, to its selection of regional sports content prior to the regular season.
Shay Segev, CEO of DAZN Group, said in a statement that the partnership is “one of the ways we get games in front of the widest possible audience.” There had not been indications previously that DAZN would be open to distributing its exclusive content to vMVPDs, and it remains unknown if the company will look to reach more agreements moving forward.
In a previous interview with Sports Media Watch, DAZN CEO/growth markets Pete Oliver said that the streamer is paying its highest rights fees to teams whose broadcasts are fully exclusive to the company. DAZN also has several other deals in which it is the exclusive streaming home of teams who are also distributed on linear television via over-the-air platforms.
DAZN ultimately hopes to host the NBA’s centralized streaming solution, which would aggregate regional rights for various teams and is expected to launch ahead of next season. It has publicly confirmed interest in hosting the hub and is “absolutely” going to look at national rights deals as well.
Oliver said that the company would “love to grow the hockey portfolio” and is “in conversations with a number of those teams.” DAZN currently has an exclusive deal with the NHL Kings and its deals with MSG and Monumental have made it the exclusive streaming home of the Rangers, Islanders, Sabres, Devils and Capitals.
He also touted DAZN as a potential solution for Major League Baseball teams who use other streaming solutions outside of the league’s in-house local media department.
“If you find someone who watches boxing, they’ll tell you they know DAZN,” Oliver said. “So for me, it’s about finding the right sports and the right deals to have those communities follow you, and I personally think it will be a version of regional and local, and I’m very optimistic about where this is all going to go.”
