I was alerted to a curious occurrence this past Friday, 3rd January 2020.

Rob Smith Surtees, who has proven such a great help with everything TV rights wise since we’ve been acquainted, dropped me a line with a surprising screenshot.

The above image shows an NHL game to be broadcast on BT Sports despite that company not owning rights to broadcast the National Hockey League.

So what the hell is going on you might ask?

It becomes even more of a mystery when people on Twitter began to find out the same information as Rob and message Premier Sports (PS).

Somewhat surprising, PS responded (they rarely respond to difficult inquiries) as you can see below.

None the wiser? Me either if I’m honest and neither Premier Sports or BT Sport will actually clarify what is actually happening here.

There are more games scheduled for broadcast on BT Sport this month and are as follows:

9/1/2020: Edmonton Oilers @ Montreal Canadiens BT Sport 1 00:00

12/1/2020: Nashville Predators @ Winnipeg Jets BT Sport ESPN 19:00

19/1/2020: Boston Bruins @ Pittsburgh Penguins BT Sport ESPN 17:30

The game on January 9th is also due to be broadcast on PS1.

So who instigated this move “to increase awareness of NHL in the UK” if that is actually the reason for BT having games to show and not more half truth’s and lies from PS?

I find it difficult to believe the NHL actually give a damn about the UK having overlooked the country since the early 2000’s with focus elsewhere in Europe and across the world.

It is speculation on my part but I wonder if IMG, who hold the rights to distribute the media rights for the NHL, are trying to tempt BT Sport into tendering an offer to broadcast games when the current deal with Premier Sports expires in 2021.

All in all it’s just a very unusual situation we find ourselves in with this news but if you have access to the BT Sport 1 or BT ESPN then I imagine you’re very happy at this prospect.

Will this ‘agreement’ continue until the end of the regular season?

Will it continue into the playoffs?

Will BT show NHL games next season?

All great questions to which sadly I don’t have an answer to at this stage but I shall endeavour to do some further research in the next few weeks to see if this mystery can be unravelled.