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The NHL will no longer be shown on CBC after it and national rights-holder Rogers Sportsnet were unable to come to agreement on a new sublicensing deal that would have allowed the public broadcaster to air games on its Saturday program Hockey Night in Canada.
The CBC, which began televising NHL games in 1952, had operated under that agreement since Rogers Sportsnet acquired the league’s Canadian rights in 2013 for $5.2 billion. Rogers Sportsnet renewed those rights with a 12-year, $11.2-billion deal to begin in October.
The CBC and Rogers Sportsnet announced the change in a joint statement Tuesday.
“After a successful 12-year partnership, Sportsnet and CBC today announced the public broadcaster will no longer carry NHL broadcasts after the current season as it moves forward with a new sports programming strategy following the unprecedented success of the Milano/Cortina Olympic Games,” the statement said. “Watching hockey on Saturday night is a time-honoured tradition for Canadians, and Sportsnet is privileged to continue delivering that tradition. This has been a terrific partnership, and both parties look forward to continued opportunities to collaborate in the future.”
In its place, CBC will launch a new Saturday night prime time show on CBC and streaming on CBC Gem, featuring Canadian athletes competing at home and at the biggest events around the world.
“As the proud home of Team Canada, we’re already investing in the L.A. Games in 2028 and setting a course for the French Alps in 2030,” said Doug Smith, executive vice-president, CBC. “At the same time, our commitment doesn’t pause following the closing ceremony; we will be there between the Games – in every community, every arena, every early morning practice and every late night training session.”
“As Canada’s Olympic network every day through 2032, our increased commitment will include more in-depth storytelling, more live sport, and more coverage of Canadian athletes at home and abroad,” said Chris Wilson, executive director of CBC Sports and general manager of Olympics for CBC/Radio-Canada. “We’re focused on the people at the heart of the competition, covering their achievements and sacrifices as they represent our country. ”
In addition, Radio-Canada, the broadcaster’s French-language service, will launch Rendez-vous Podium, a weekly show on ICI TÉLÉ and ICI TOU.TV on Sunday afternoons.
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