SEATTLE — KING 5 is thrilled to announce a multi-year partnership with the Seattle Kraken to broadcast more than 70 games a season across western Washington.
Starting in September, fans will be able to watch preseason, regular season and postseason Kraken games that aren’t televised nationally for free over the air. Most of those games will air on KONG, and at least 15 games will air on KING 5.
“We’re proud to serve our community by providing a free viewing experience to nearly every Kraken game,” said KING 5 president and general manager Christy Moreno. “We’re equally proud to partner with the Kraken in the community, giving fans unparalleled access to the games and the Seattle Kraken franchise.”
As the official television partner of the Kraken, KING 5 will take fans behind the scenes with exclusive coverage led by sports director, Paul Silvi, and a weekly Kraken show, in addition to comprehensive coverage of the latest Kraken news across all platforms.
“This is a pivotal moment for professional sports and we are excited to unite KING 5’s legacy of storytelling excellence with the sheer excitement of Seattle Kraken hockey,” said Silvi. “The Kraken and KING 5 are perfect partners to bring more hockey games and coverage to more fans across the Pacific Northwest and beyond.”
Games will also be broadcast by KING 5’s fellow TEGNA stations KGW and KREM in Portland and Spokane.
The Kraken are also the first NHL team to partner directly with Prime Video to stream the games for Prime members in Washington, Oregon and Alaska.
“We want fans to be able to sit down and watch the games together as a family at home and stream them on a tablet on the go,” said Kraken CEO Tod Leiweke. “I am thrilled to have trusted partners in TEGNA and their leading local broadcast stations and Prime Video.”
The broadcast team in the booth will continue to be John Forslund, JT Brown, Eddie Olczyk, Nick Olczyk and Alison Lukan next season.
The Seattle Kraken joined the NHL in 2021 as the league’s 32nd franchise. This past year, the team hosted the Winter Classic on New Year’s Day at T-Mobile in front of a sold-out crowd of 47,313 fans.
Last season, the Kraken advanced to the 2023 Stanley Cups Playoffs, defeating the reigning champions Avalanche in the first round, before losing in the second. Matty Beniers, the franchise first-round draft pick, also took home the Calder Memorial Trophy for rookie of the year.