A Tradition Interrupted
For generations, Saturday night in Canada meant gathering around the television to watch Hockey Night in Canada, the country's longest‑running sports broadcast. The program began in November 1931, initially sponsored by General Motors and later by Imperial Oil, and it quickly became a cultural touchstone that united families across provinces.
The recent announcement that the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation will no longer carry the show marks the end of an era. Sportsnet has secured the rights to continue airing NHL games on Saturday nights, ensuring that the tradition lives on, but the change signals a major realignment of broadcasting partnerships.
The history of the broadcast is punctuated by legendary voices. Foster Hewitt, often called the father of hockey commentary, introduced the games with a distinctive sign‑on phrase that became instantly recognizable. Decades later, Bob Cole and Don Cherry added their own flair, with Cherry’s “Rock ‘em, socks ‘em” intermission segments and Cherry’s colorful commentary becoming synonymous with the show.
Ron MacLean, who joined as co‑host in 1987, helped modernize the program’s tone, while George Stroumboulopoulos was brought in by Rogers in 2014 to refresh the format. Rogers Communications acquired the Canadian national broadcasting rights for NHL games in November 2013, setting the stage for these recent changes.
Although the CBC will no longer produce the flagship Saturday night broadcast, it retains ownership of the Hockey Night in Canada trademark, preserving the brand’s legacy for future use. Both CBC and Sportsnet have expressed optimism about future collaborations, suggesting that the partnership may evolve rather than dissolve.
The shift also reflects broader trends in Canadian media, where private companies like Rogers and Sportsnet are increasingly shaping how sports are delivered to viewers. This transition underscores the growing influence of commercial entities in public broadcasting, while still honoring the deep‑rooted connection between hockey and Canadian identity.