Minnesota Wild to launch new multimedia television network
Wild takes control of broadcast operations
The Minnesota Wild announced the upcoming launch of its own multimedia television network, set to debut this season. This new platform will be owned and operated by the team, managing all aspects of production, distribution, sales, and marketing for its broadcasts in collaboration with NHL Productions. The initiative aims to provide fans with reliable and direct access to games, similar to previous seasons.
Fans will have various options to watch Wild games, including cable, satellite, streaming services, and over-the-air broadcasts. Further details regarding availability, channel locations, and pricing for a direct-to-consumer streaming option, which will include both annual and monthly subscriptions, are expected before the regular season begins.
The Wild’s new network will serve as the official television home for the team, producing all regular season games not nationally televised by the NHL‘s exclusive broadcast partners, such as ABC, ESPN, ESPN+/Hulu, and TNT. For fans outside the Wild’s local television market, games will be accessible via ESPN+ through the NHL Power Play.
This expansion builds upon the team’s existing multimedia presence, which includes the Minnesota Wild Audio Network, described as the largest network in the NHL. Other components of their platform are the Wild on 7th Podcast, @MNWildAudio, original behind-the-scenes programming, and a significant following across the organization’s social media platforms.
The NHL has expanded the capabilities of NHL Productions to include centralized production services for local broadcasts of select clubs, including the Minnesota Wild, starting with the 2026-27 season. These comprehensive services will encompass studio and show programming, game production, advanced graphics, replay capabilities, and technical support.
Enhancing the fan experience and revenue streams
The league-wide effort to centralize local production was partly influenced by changes in the traditional local broadcast model. However, NHL executives believe this new approach will enhance telecasts and enable teams to monetize them more effectively by giving clubs increased control over advertising inventory.
Mitch Helgerson, the Wild’s Chief Revenue Officer and Executive Vice President, emphasized the benefits of controlling all aspects of production and sales, stating that it significantly improves the ability to market, promote, and sell. The Wild has already hired two dedicated representatives to manage advertising sales across its local television and radio broadcasts.
The NHL’s centralized production model requires teams to cover the baseline costs of producing their local telecasts while allowing them to retain all revenue generated from distribution and advertising. The league will fund the development of the shared production infrastructure, including personnel, technology, and innovations that can be utilized across various markets.
The NHL’s production support is flexible, not tied to any specific distribution model. This means that even teams maintaining existing regional sports networks could potentially leverage the league’s production capabilities. For clubs like the Wild, the NHL is assisting in developing market-specific distribution plans, which include negotiating direct agreements with pay-TV providers for linear availability and pursuing partnerships for streaming and over-the-air options.
The Blue Jackets, Blues, Hurricanes, and Wild are among the teams utilizing the NHL’s new centralized production arm for their local telecasts. These teams are prioritizing agreements with pay-TV providers as their main distribution method, while also planning to offer a streaming option. Executives from the Blues and Wild anticipate making some games available over the air.
The NHL’s President of Events and Content, Steve Mayer, believes that NHL-produced telecasts will improve the viewing experience for fans. These local broadcasts are expected to more consistently integrate technology seen in national telecasts, such as NHL Edge puck- and player-tracking data. The league-produced telecasts will also feature a uniform graphics package, new music, and additional camera angles, including handheld, robotic, and point-of-view cameras.
The Wild’s broadcast team will include Anthony LaPanta as play-by-play announcer, Ryan Carter as lead analyst, and Kevin Gorg as rink-side reporter. Katie Storm and Wes Walz will serve as primary hosts for the pre- and postgame shows, with Alex Stalock and Lou Nanne also contributing as analysts for select games.
During the 2025-26 regular season, the Minnesota Wild was among the top ten U.S.-based NHL teams in household rating and viewership. Following the acquisition of Quinn Hughes, the team’s television ratings saw a 41% increase. The Wild also ranked as one of the two biggest national television draws during the opening weekend of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, attracting 1.9 million viewers, and set a cable record for a Second Round Game 1 audience with 2.22 million viewers.
KFAN FM 100.3 and iHeart Radio are entering their 16th season as the audio home of the Minnesota Wild, with all games also available on the station’s website and the iHeartRadio App.
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Source: nhl.com
