The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and Rogers Communications announced on Tuesday that they will not renew their 12‑year agreement to co‑produce Hockey Night in Canada, ending a partnership that has defined prime‑time hockey coverage for over a decade.
The decision also means that, starting with the current NHL season, CBC will no longer broadcast league games, a change that directly affects viewers in southeastern Michigan who have tuned in to Channel 9 in Windsor for decades.
End of an era for Hockey Night in Canada
The split follows the failure of the two companies to reach a sub‑licensing arrangement, a hurdle that had been building for months as negotiations over carriage fees and advertising revenue reached an impasse.
Doug Smith, Executive Vice President of CBC, said the network is channeling its resources into Olympic programming, citing the upcoming 2028 Los Angeles Games and the 2030 French Alps Games as the next focal points for Canadian viewers.
Under the new strategy, CBC will launch a Saturday night Olympic sports showcase that builds on its recent Milano Olympic broadcasts, while also delivering daily coverage, early‑morning practice reports and late‑night training sessions across every community.
The move reflects a broader shift in Canadian sports media, as broadcasters recalibrate their portfolios in response to changing viewer habits and the growing prominence of international multi‑sport events.