Derek Lee and Patrick Present discuss the state of the Ducks in early-mid December After their contract with Bally Sports expired following the conclusion of the 2023-24 season, the Ducks sought to expand their media exposure in the midst of an expansive rebrand. Enter Victory+, a platform first utilized in the NHL by the Dallas Stars to stream their games and provide better regional broadcast coverage. Since its launch in September, Victory+ has surpassed 500,000+ downloads. The most marketable feature about Victory+ is that it is free to download and stream, meaning that fans can watch Ducks games without being tied to a paid subscription. “Victory+ is growing faster than we could’ve imagined, and we’re just getting started,” president and CEO of APMC (Victory+’s parent company) Neil Gruninger said in a written statement. “Since launching earlier this fall, we’ve surpassed 500,000 app downloads across all platforms and delivered a viewing experience that’s resonating with fans in ways that traditional TV hasn’t been able to in years. For the Anaheim Ducks, we’re seeing digital viewership that’s already four times higher than last season, which is a real testament to how much fans appreciate free, high-quality access to their favorite teams." The Ducks’ broadcast crew has also been tweaked with the departure of Kent French. John Ahlers and Brian Hayward continue to provide play-by-play and color commentary for the broadcast respectively while Aly Lozoff has entered a bigger role alongside Guy Hebert to provide insight for pregame, intermission and postgame reports. “Looking forward, our vision for Victory+ is to be a streaming service that includes not only access to live games, but expanding to a platform where fans can engage with their teams on a deeper level—whether that’s through exclusive behind-the-scenes content, player features, contests or engaged social features that complements the live broadcasts.” There is always room for improvement and as Victory+ continues to grow, the quality of their product should increase as well. With more and more teams opting for direct-to-consumer platforms to provide viewing access to their games, the partnership between the Ducks and Victory+ could not have come at a more opportune time. “One of the most exciting opportunities we see is in creating a sense of community among fans,” Gruninger said. “Whether it’s the Stars, Ducks, or future partners, Victory+ is about enhancing that shared experience that comes from cheering for your team with an easy, seamless way to tune in. And as we approach the back half of the NHL season, we’re confident viewership will continue to grow as fans tune in to see their teams make their playoff pushes. “The feedback we’ve received from Ducks fans has been incredible, and we’re just scratching the surface. This is only the beginning of Victory+, and we’re looking forward to continuing to innovate, expand, and redefine how fans experience sports."
