Pierre Karl Péladeau, the interim president and CEO of TVA Group and Quebecor, has confirmed significant progress in negotiations for NHL broadcast rights in French. He made this announcement during a recent interview, highlighting the potential for fans to watch NHL games on TVA Sports next year.
Péladeau’s Involvement in NHL Broadcast Rights
Last week, Péladeau met with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman. He expressed pride in the work TVA has done to support the league and emphasized the strength of their promotional tools. According to Péladeau, Bettman is well aware of TVA’s contributions.
Upcoming Changes in Broadcasting
During the recent annual meeting of TVA Group, Péladeau stated that the issue of French-language NHL broadcast rights should be resolved soon. The current agreement expires in June, following the playoffs.
- Péladeau remarked, “The negotiations are very advanced.”
- He hopes TVA Sports will maintain its status as the official French-language broadcaster.
- The completion of a revenue agreement with Bell has strengthened TVA Sports’ position.
Background on Quebecor and Bell Agreement
Péladeau also addressed past grievances regarding Bell’s payment practices, which he described as unfair. For years, they struggled to receive appropriate market value for TVA Sports. However, a recent agreement has changed this dynamic, resulting in back payments that support the financial health of TVA.
Péladeau’s advocacy emphasizes the importance of private television in Quebec’s media landscape. As the NHL season approaches, stakeholders are keenly awaiting the outcome of these negotiations, which may influence the future of sports broadcasting in the region.
