SEATTLE — The company that appears to be nearing the finish line in its merger with Nexstar Media Group has secured a multi-year partnership extension with the National Hockey League franchise serving the Pacific Northwest, brining games to its twin broadcast TV stations in Seattle-Tacoma.
TEGNA Inc.‘s fresh agreement with the Seattle Kraken ensures games will continue to be seen in the market on the company’s KING-TV and KONG-TV.
The agreement’s extension comes two years after the launch of the Kraken Hockey Network, which has made games widely accessible on the TEGNA duo and partner stations, in addition to Prime Video.
“Since we launched the Kraken Hockey Network on TEGNA and Prime Video, viewership has increased exponentially,” said Jeff Webster, the Kraken’s Chief Commercial Officer. “This extended partnership with TEGNA ensures fans throughout our territory will continue to enjoy an exceptional broadcast at no cost, furthering our commitment to making Kraken hockey accessible to all.”
All non-nationally televised games will be broadcast on KONG-TV and Prime Video, with up to 20 games simulcast on TEGNA’s NBC affiliate, KING-TV.
TEGNA-owned KREM-TV and KSKN-TV in Spokane and KGW-TV in Portland, Ore., will also feature Kraken games, as TEGNA continues to work with other broadcast companies to expand free over-the-air broadcast access to other markets within the Kraken’s territory. This includes Alaska.
KING-TV, TEGNA, and the Kraken will lead advertising and sponsorship sales for all local games.
“We are thrilled to extend our outstanding partnership with the Seattle Kraken,” said TEGNA SVP and Head of Sport Rights Brad Ramsey. “We have done exactly what we set out to do, giving more fans, in more homes, access to more games than ever before. We are more committed than ever to serving local fans with the content they care most about, and our advertising partners with solutions that help them move the needle.”