For many Canadian hockey fans, Saturday nights meant watching Hockey Night in Canada on CBC. That long-standing tradition is now ending after CBC and Rogers Sports & Media could not agree on a new sublicensing deal for NHL broadcasts.

Under Rogers’ new 12-year, $11-billion agreement with the National Hockey League, Sportsnet will keep exclusive English-language TV and streaming rights starting this fall.

Because of that, NHL games will no longer air on CBC platforms. Fans who previously watched games for free over the air will now need a Sportsnet cable package or streaming subscription to follow the league.

The change ends a partnership that began in 2013, when Rogers Sports & Media first secured NHL rights in Canada through a $5.2-billion deal and later reached an agreement that allowed CBC to continue airing Hockey Night in Canada and playoff games.

According to CBC Sports executive director Chris Wilson, the two sides were unable to reach a new agreement.

“As the sports rights world evolved, we did our best with Rogers to find a path forward. We were unable to find a solution that satisfied both partners.”

The decision is about more than just broadcasting rights. It changes how many Canadians watch the country’s most popular sport.

CBC had been showing NHL games since 1952, making hockey one of its most well-known programs. While Sportsnet says fans will still be able to watch Hockey Night in Canada through its platforms, CBC’s departure ends a relationship that lasted for more than 70 years.

End of an Era Opens a New Chapter for CBC

The end of NHL broadcasts on CBC has led many people to reflect on the network’s long history of covering hockey in Canada. Hockey historian Michael McKinley described the change as a major cultural shift.

“I can't imagine it. I mean, I can imagine it. I don't want to imagine it.”

McKinley also said that hockey has always been an important part of CBC’s identity.

“I think that as the national broadcaster, as the entity that is responsible for telling Canadian stories to Canada, hockey is an essential Canadian story.”

Even with the loss of NHL games, CBC sees the change as a chance to focus on a new sports strategy. Chris Wilson acknowledged that the decision will have a significant impact on viewers.

“It's definitely a bit of an end of an era,” while adding that CBC is “choosing to look at it more as an opportunity as opposed to a loss.”

Industry experts believe CBC can now focus more on amateur sports and growing competitions, including women’s leagues.

Although NHL coverage is leaving CBC after 74 years, the broadcaster hopes this new direction will help it connect with Canadian sports fans in different ways.

What do you think? How will Canadian hockey fans adjust now that NHL games are available only through Sportsnet subscriptions? Comment down below. 

Read more at the NHL Fan Central.

Written by

Kapil Manghnani

Edited by

Kaamna Dwivedi