Changing the Game: NHL Broadcasting Shift in Canada

Changing the Game: NHL Broadcasting Shift in Canada

The NHL will no longer be broadcast on the CBC and Sportsnet, as the two networks have announced the end of their partnership. This decision marks a significant change for Canadian hockey fans who have long enjoyed watching games on both networks. Sportsnet expressed gratitude for the partnership and looks forward to delivering the tradition of Saturday night hockey to viewers in the future.

Following the conclusion of the partnership, the CBC is embarking on a new sports programming strategy after the success of the Milano/Cortina Olympic Games. This shift in focus will bring about changes in the network's sports coverage and offerings to audiences across Canada.

Since 1952, the CBC has been a home for Hockey Night in Canada, holding exclusive Saturday night rights until the 2013-14 season. Despite the end of this exclusivity, the CBC continued to showcase games through a cross-licensing agreement with Sportsnet, ensuring that hockey remained a prominent feature on the network.

Moving forward, Sportsnet will be the sole broadcaster of all Saturday NHL games under a new 12-year broadcast deal with the NHL set to begin next season. This agreement marks a new chapter in the broadcasting landscape of NHL games in Canada, with Sportsnet taking on the responsibility of bringing hockey action to fans across the country.

In conclusion, the end of the CBC and Sportsnet partnership signals a shift in how NHL games will be broadcast in Canada. As Sportsnet takes on the role of the primary broadcaster for Saturday night games, fans can expect a new era of hockey coverage on the network. The legacy of Hockey Night in Canada continues, albeit with a new broadcaster at the helm.