CBC will no longer air Hockey Night in Canada on Saturday nights, ending a 12-year partnership with Rogers Communications. Sportsnet will take over the decades-long tradition that began on CBC Radio in 1923 before moving to television in 1952.
In a joint announcement, the two broadcasters confirmed that Canada's public broadcaster will stop carrying NHL broadcasts after the current season. The decision follows a new sports programming strategy after the success of the Milano/Cortina Olympic Games.
The CBC retained the rights to the Hockey Night in Canada brand, licensing it to Rogers for the last 12 years. It remains unclear whether that licensing arrangement will continue.
Sportsnet stated: "Watching hockey on Saturday night is a time-honoured tradition for Canadians and Sportsnet is privileged to continue delivering that tradition." The network noted that the collaboration with CBC has been a terrific partnership and that both parties look forward to future opportunities to collaborate.
Going forward, hockey fans can watch games on Sportsnet, Citytv, and stream them through Sportsnet+. CBC Sports plans to launch a new Saturday night prime-time show featuring Canadian athletes competing at home and globally, airing on CBC TV and CBC Gem.
