For decades, the sight of a black‑and‑white logo lighting up living rooms across the country has signaled the start of Canada’s most cherished sporting ritual.
A Tradition That Defined a Nation
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and Sportsnet announced that the partnership that has delivered NHL games to Canadians for twelve years will end when the current season concludes, ending a streak that began as a radio program in the 1930s.
Rogers Sportsnet, fresh from securing a twelve‑year, $7.9 billion contract with the National Hockey League, is poised to take over the exclusive broadcast rights, a move that reflects the growing commercialization of the sport.
Originally launched as a radio broadcast in the early 1930s, the program migrated to television in the 1950s and quickly became a cultural touchstone, drawing viewers who would otherwise tune in for nothing more than the sound of skates on ice.
Figures such as Don Cherry, whose flamboyant jackets and patriotic commentary made him a household name, helped cement the show’s place in the national imagination, though his tenure ended abruptly in 2019 after a controversial on‑air remark.
Mark Scheifele, a star centre for the Winnipeg Jets, grew up watching the broadcast with his family, illustrating how the program has woven itself into the fabric of everyday Canadian life.
Although the CBC will no longer air NHL games, it still holds the Hockey Night in Canada trademark and may explore new ways to revive the brand in a digital age.