TORONTO — The Canadian Broadcasting Corp. will no longer air NHL games after failing to renew its sublicensing agreement with Rogers Sportsnet, ending a partnership that allowed the public broadcaster to televise "Hockey Night in Canada" for the past 12 years.
Sportsnet and CBC announced the change in a joint statement on Tuesday, following the conclusion of the 2025-26 NHL season. The decision means NHL broadcasts will move exclusively to Sportsnet platforms starting with the 2026-27 season.
The sublicense agreement between Rogers Sportsnet, which holds national English-language rights to the NHL, and CBC expired at the end of the Stanley Cup playoffs. The two parties were unable to reach terms for a new deal, according to the statement.
"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 joint statement said.
CBC has broadcast NHL games since 1952, with "Hockey Night in Canada" becoming a longstanding Saturday night tradition for many Canadian viewers. Under the previous arrangement with Rogers, which acquired Canadian rights in 2013, CBC aired selected regular-season games, often featuring Canadian teams, and playoff matches.
Rogers Sportsnet secured a new 12-year media rights deal with the NHL, valued at $11.2 billion, that begins in the upcoming season. The company plans to air all Saturday night games on its channels and streaming services.
CBC indicated it will replace the hockey broadcasts with a new Saturday night prime-time program focused on Canadian athletes and other major sporting events, to be available on CBC television and streaming on CBC Gem.
The shift has drawn attention to changes in sports media consumption. NHL games will now primarily be available through paid cable, satellite or streaming subscriptions on Sportsnet and related platforms. Details on the full broadcast schedule for the new season remain to be announced.
Rogers Communications, the parent company of Sportsnet, did not provide additional comment beyond the joint statement. CBC officials have described the change as part of a broader evolution in its sports coverage strategy.
As of June 22, 2026, both organizations said they remain committed to delivering quality sports content to Canadian audiences through their respective platforms.
