Root Sports, Penguins Reach TV Rights Agreement Through '28-29 Season

Root Sports and the Penguins yesterday announced that they have reached an agreement on a new TV rights deal through the '28-29 NHL season. Root Sports, owned and operated by DirecTV, will be the exclusive rightsholder for Penguins regional telecasts and will televise a minimum of 70 regular-season games every season. The network also will have the option to carry preseason and Stanley Cup Playoff games (DirecTV). In Pittsburgh, Rob Rossi notes financial terms were not disclosed, but this is a "new contract for next season and it is the longest TV rights deal in franchise history." This is "the 25th year of a partnership between the Penguins and the region`s dominant sports network." There were three years remaining on the previous deal (Pittsburgh TRIBUNE-REVIEW, 4/28). Ratings for Penguins games on Root Sports "have led the NHL's local TV ratings in the United States for four seasons in a row." This season, Penguins games on Root "achieved a record with an average rating of 8.68" (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 4/28).