The Minnesota Wild announced that four of its games this season will be simulcast on over-the-air television for the first time since the 2010-11 season. The broadcasts will appear on KSTP-TV, 5 Eyewitness News, and KSTC-TV, 45TV, reaching fans across the Upper Midwest. This partnership aims to expand access to Wild hockey in the State of Hockey.
SAINT PAUL, Minn. - In a move to broaden its audience, the Minnesota Wild, along with KSTP-TV, 5 Eyewitness News, KSTC-TV, 45TV, and FanDuel Sports Network North, revealed plans to simulcast four Wild games on over-the-air television this season. This marks the franchise's return to free broadcast TV since the 2010-11 campaign, allowing more Minnesotans to tune in without cable subscriptions.
"We are extremely excited to offer fans all around the State of Hockey the opportunity to watch four Minnesota Wild games on KSTP-TV and KSTC-TV this season," said Mitch Helgerson, Chief Revenue Officer of the Minnesota Wild. "We’re thrilled to expand our reach and deliver must-watch hockey to more Minnesotans than ever before."
Hubbard Broadcasting, which owns the stations, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration. "Hubbard Broadcasting is excited to bring you select Minnesota Wild hockey games, free and over-the-air this season," said Robert Hubbard, President of Hubbard Television and General Manager of KSTP-TV and KSTC-TV. "We live and operate in the State of Hockey and Hubbard Broadcasting could not be prouder to bring these games to our statewide audience!"
The simulcasts will feature FanDuel Sports Network's production, including play-by-play announcer Anthony LaPanta, lead analyst Ryan Carter, rink-side reporter Kevin Gorg, hosts Katie Storm and Audra Martin, and pre- and postgame analyst Wes Walz. Beyond the Twin Cities, the games will air on Hubbard stations KSAX-TV in Alexandria, WDIO-TV in Duluth, KRWF-TV in Redwood Falls, and KAAL-TV in Rochester.
Additionally, Gray Media will distribute the broadcasts across its Upper Midwest stations, covering markets in Minnesota (Mankato), Iowa (Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Ottumwa, Sioux City), North Dakota (Minot-Bismarck, Fargo), South Dakota (Rapid City, Sioux Falls), and Wisconsin (La Crosse-Eau Claire, Green Bay, Madison, Wausau). This expanded reach underscores the Wild's commitment to making hockey accessible in the region.
