A new era for NHL broadcasting
Sportsnet and CBC have jointly confirmed that the iconic Hockey Night in Canada will not return for the upcoming season, a decision that will push Canadiens supporters toward Sportsnet for live coverage and could mean higher subscription costs. At the same time, the fate of French‑language broadcasts remains uncertain, with TVA Sports still weighing whether to renew its partnership.
The upheaval stems from a sweeping 12‑year agreement between Rogers and the NHL that guarantees the broadcaster exclusive rights to every Canadian NHL game beginning next season. Rogers has disclosed that it will invest $11 billion in the deal, a dramatic jump from the $5.2 billion it paid under the previous contract that was set to expire at the end of the current season.
Implications for French‑language audiences
The financial pressure on TVA Sports is stark; the network has logged losses of more than $197 million since 2014 as a result of the NHL rights arrangement. In response, Bell Media has announced that RDS will air only 45 games next season, down from the 60 it previously carried, signaling a scaling back of French‑language coverage.
Negotiations are still underway to determine whether TVA Sports can continue to broadcast Canadiens games, a prospect that would depend on the network’s ability to offset its recent deficits. The team’s recent playoff run, however, provided a temporary financial boost that may influence those talks.
Fans across the country, from Montreal to Toronto and the broader Ontario region, now face a media landscape where streaming platforms could become the primary gateway to live hockey. As the league’s broadcast model shifts, the cost of watching games is expected to rise, reshaping how supporters engage with the sport.