The National Hockey League (NHL) will no longer be aired on CBC due to the expiration of the sublicensing agreement with Rogers Sportsnet. This change marks the end of a long-standing partnership that began when CBC began broadcasting NHL games in 1952.
Details of the Expiring NHL Broadcasts
Rogers Sportsnet, which acquired the Canadian broadcasting rights for the NHL in 2013, had struck a deal worth $5.2 billion. Following this, the network renewed its rights in a substantial 12-year agreement, totaling $11.2 billion, set to take effect in October.
A joint statement from the CBC and Rogers Sportsnet confirmed the discontinuation of NHL broadcasts after the current season. The statement emphasized the successful collaboration over the past 12 years and the importance of Saturday night hockey to Canadian culture.
New Programming Initiatives by CBC
In light of this change, CBC plans to launch a new Saturday night prime time show. This program will focus on Canadian athletes participating in events both domestically and internationally, streaming on CBC Gem. Doug Smith, executive vice-president at CBC, highlighted the investment in future Olympic Games, including the L.A. Games in 2028 and the French Alps in 2030.
- New Saturday Night Show: Focus on Canadian athletes.
- Future Olympic Investments: L.A. Games (2028) and French Alps (2030).
Additionally, CBC Sports’ executive director Chris Wilson outlined their commitment to Olympic coverage through 2032, promising more in-depth storytelling and increased coverage of Canadian athletes.
Radio-Canada, the French-language service of CBC, is also set to introduce a new show titled Rendez-vous Podium. This weekly program will be broadcast on ICI TÉLÉ and ICI TOU.TV on Sunday afternoons, further expanding their sports content offerings.
As the landscape of Canadian sports broadcasting evolves, CBC and Rogers Sportsnet aim to explore new collaborative opportunities while continuing to deliver engaging sports programming for their audiences.
