Written with the help of artificial-intelligence tools and checked by automated controls.
This content was machine-translated from the French version.
Amazon is getting its hands on one of the most-watched nights on the NHL calendar. Prime Video will exclusively broadcast Wednesday night games in Canada for the next twelve seasons, in both English and French. The agreement, announced on July 28 by Rogers Communications and the streaming platform, takes effect as of the 2026-2027 season and also covers two first-round series and one second-round series of the playoffs each year.
A sub-license backed by the mega Rogers-NHL deal
The agreement between Prime Video and Rogers falls under the $11 billion national rights contract signed between Rogers and the NHL.
The agreement between Prime Video and Rogers falls under the $11 billion national rights contract signed between Rogers and the NHL. This pact, which runs from 2026-2027 to 2037-2038, covers all platforms in Canada. Rogers retains the majority of it but chooses to sub-license the Wednesday slot to Amazon to expand the digital offering.
The streaming giant is not entering unfamiliar territory. It has already been broadcasting Monday night games in Canada for two seasons, an experience that has clearly convinced both parties to go much further. The 12-year deal anchors Prime Video as a lasting player in the Canadian hockey landscape, alongside historic broadcasters such as CBC and Sportsnet.
What changes for fans
In practical terms, a hockey fan will now have to juggle multiple services to follow their team's entire season. Monday and Wednesday nights fall under Prime Video's umbrella, while Rogers keeps the other nights on Sportsnet and CBC. Amazon's platform had already proven its ability to produce quality hockey with the "Coast to Coast" show on Mondays, hosted by familiar faces in Canadian hockey.
French-language broadcasting is a key point of the agreement. Prime Video commits to offering a distinct production for French-speaking audiences, a must in a market where the Montreal Canadiens and Quebec fans carry significant weight. Details of the French broadcast team have not yet been unveiled, but Rogers and Amazon promise coverage that meets expectations.
For the playoffs, Prime Video gets two full first-round series and one second-round series each year. These rights include production, broadcasting, and editorial coverage. This offers subscribers a top-tier spring appointment, at a time when hockey viewership peaks.
Amazon strengthens its sports catalog
This investment is part of a broader Amazon strategy in live sports. The platform already streams NFL Thursday Night Football in the United States, part of the NBA, the English Premier League, and the French Open in France. Canadian hockey, however, represents a different bet: it is not just one sport among others, but the national sport, followed with almost religious intensity from Halifax to Vancouver.
The amount of the transaction between Rogers and Prime Video has not been made public. But given the $11 billion framework contract and the length of the commitment, analysts estimate Amazon's investment at several hundred million dollars per year. A price the e-commerce giant seems willing to pay to strengthen Prime as a must-have subscription in Canadian households.
One question remains: will the arrival of a 100% digital broadcaster on such a high-profile slot accelerate the migration of linear audiences to streaming? The first two seasons of Monday nights on Prime Video have shown that the audience follows when the product is good. With twelve years ahead, the platform has time to make Wednesday night a habit for millions of fans.
