The End of an Era for Traditional Broadcast
Amazon Prime Video will become the sole broadcaster of Wednesday night NHL regular‑season games in Canada, beginning with the upcoming season. The arrangement is part of a twelve‑year licensing pact between Rogers Communications and the National Hockey League that runs through the 2037‑38 season.
Under the deal, Prime Video will present a minimum of 26 national games, all accessible to Prime subscribers at no extra charge, and will also carry select playoff series, including two first‑round matchups and one second‑round contest each year.
While Rogers‑owned Sportsnet continues to hold the bulk of national telecasts, the agreement signals the withdrawal of Citytv from NHL coverage and marks the final season of CBC’s long‑standing "Hockey Night in Canada" on the public broadcaster after the 2025‑26 campaign.
John Shannon, a veteran sportscaster and producer, described the move toward streaming as an "inevitability," pointing to similar shifts in the CFL, Major League Soccer and other North American leagues that are increasingly partnering with digital platforms.
The arrangement reflects a broader trend in which the NFL, NBA, NHL and Major League Baseball are embracing streaming services, reshaping how fans access live sports and prompting traditional broadcasters to adapt to a rapidly evolving media environment.