DAZN has signed a multiyear agreement with DirecTV to distribute its exclusive NBA broadcasts of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Indiana Pacers, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves and San Antonio Spurs. Under the deal, subscribers to DirecTV’s streaming, satellite and U-verse television services will be able to watch the games through DAZN at no additional cost.
Announced less than a week into the NBA regular season, the agreement will allow eligible DirecTV customers to access DAZN using their existing login credentials in the coming weeks. In-market streaming subscribers will need the Choice package or higher, while U-verse customers must have the U200 package or above. The deal also covers DirecTV For Business, extending distribution to commercial venues.
Previously announced DAZN agreements had made selected games available for free through the DAZN app, with some broadcasts simulcast on local over-the-air television affiliates. The DirecTV partnership extends access to all games involving the five teams, including those behind DAZN’s paywall.
DirecTV said the agreement brings its local coverage to 28 of the 29 NBA teams based in the United States. The Philadelphia 76ers remain the only exception. The distributor also added ClipperVision to its regional sports offering ahead of the season, following the service’s relaunch with linear distribution.
DAZN Group CEO Shay Segev said the partnership was one way to bring games to the widest possible audience. The agreement marks a notable step for DAZN, which had not previously indicated that it was willing to distribute exclusive content through virtual multichannel video programming distributors.
The company has yet to confirm whether it will pursue similar partnerships with other distributors.
DAZN is continuing to expand its presence in regional sports broadcasting as it looks to establish itself as a broader destination for US sports. The company has expressed interest in hosting the NBA’s planned centralised streaming platform, which is expected to launch ahead of next season and aggregate regional rights for multiple teams. DAZN has also said it will explore opportunities involving the league’s national media rights.
The streamer is also looking to grow its hockey portfolio. DAZN currently holds exclusive streaming rights to the Los Angeles Kings and, through agreements with MSG and Monumental, serves as the exclusive streaming home of the New York Rangers, New York Islanders, Buffalo Sabres, New Jersey Devils and Washington Capitals.
DAZN has also identified Major League Baseball teams that rely on streaming services outside the league’s own local media operation as potential partners.
The latest agreement reinforces DAZN’s strategy of building audiences through regional and local sports rights, using team-specific fan bases to strengthen its position in the increasingly competitive US sports streaming market.