The National Hockey League season recently concluded, marking the end of a long-standing partnership between Rogers and CBC after failing to reach a new agreement for NHL broadcasts. As a result, NHL games will no longer be available on CBC platforms, with exclusive Canadian English television broadcasting and streaming rights secured by Rogers Sports and Media in an $11.2-billion deal over the next 12 years. Rogers initially obtained these rights in 2013 for $5.2 billion and had collaborated with CBC to air playoff and regular-season games featuring Canadian teams on Hockey Night in Canada since 1952.
CBC will cease airing NHL games on its traditional over-the-air channels, including CityTV and OMNI, leading to the absence of men’s NHL hockey on conventional Canadian television for the first time in 74 years. Despite potential disappointment among fans, opportunities exist for CBC to attract viewers to emerging leagues.
The decision was primarily driven by financial considerations, with CBC Sports’ executive director, Chris Wilson, highlighting the inability to reach a mutually satisfactory financial agreement. Additionally, a decline in viewership on CBC and a surge in audience on Sportsnet platforms influenced the shift, with experts suggesting that Rogers aims to consolidate access to NHL games rather than splitting the audience with CBC.
The move is expected to impact NHL fans who do not subscribe to Sportsnet, as the cost of Sportsnet subscriptions has notably increased in recent years. While creative solutions may be explored to deliver NHL content, concerns about accessibility and potential legislative reactions to maintain public access are raised by industry experts.
As CBC shifts focus to Olympic and Paralympic coverage, as well as women’s professional sports leagues like the Professional Women’s Hockey League and the Northern Super League, there is optimism about capitalizing on new sports markets and engaging diverse audiences. The growth potential of women’s sports leagues presents an opportunity to broaden viewership and tap into the expanding interest in women’s sports.
