After nearly 75 years as a staple of Canadian television, 'Hockey Night in Canada' will no longer air on CBC starting next season. The sublicensing deal between Rogers Communications and the public broadcaster expired at the conclusion of the Stanley Cup playoffs, and the two sides did not extend the partnership for the 2026-27 campaign.
Rogers holds the rights under a new 12-year, $11 billion broadcast agreement with the NHL, which begins next season. The company had previously sublicensed Saturday night games to CBC, ensuring the program remained on free-to-air television. Without a new deal, Rogers will likely move all NHL broadcasts exclusively to its own platforms, including Sportsnet.
The move marks a significant shift in Canadian hockey culture. 'Hockey Night in Canada' has been synonymous with Saturday nights since its debut in 1952, shaping generations of fans. The CBC broadcast was also a key outlet for viewers without cable subscriptions, raising concerns about accessibility.
For the CBC, the loss represents a blow to its sports programming lineup, which has already been reduced in recent years. The network may pivot to other events or reduce its NHL coverage entirely, while Rogers will control all Canadian NHL broadcasts under its lucrative new rights deal.
'We are proud of the legacy we've built with CBC over the decades,' a Rogers representative said in a statement. 'Our focus now is on delivering the best possible hockey viewing experience for fans across our platforms.' The CBC did not immediately comment on future plans.