The End of an Era

[Larry's Torch]

The era of free-to-air hockey in Canada has ended; a tradition dating back to 1952 on television (and 1931 on radio) fans now require a Sportsnet subscription or streaming service to watch Saturday night NHL games.

Hockey Night in Canada is ending its run on the CBC after the public broadcaster and Rogers Sportsnet failed to reach a new sublicensing agreement for the 2026-27 NHL season. This marks the end of a 75-year tradition of free Saturday night NHL broadcasts on Canadian television, with games now airing exclusively on subscription-based Sportsnet platforms.

 

[westwoody]

One more reason to hate rogers.

Remember the closing credits with the windshield wipers and the Esso sign?

 

[nan]

I was actually surprised to hear this. I get it's all about money but I would assume CBC gets some money from advertisers, do they not?

 

[steveinvan]

The era of free-to-air hockey in Canada has ended; a tradition dating back to 1952 on television (and 1931 on radio) fans now require a Sportsnet subscription or streaming service to watch Saturday night NHL games.

Hockey Night in Canada is ending its run on the CBC after the public broadcaster and Rogers Sportsnet failed to reach a new sublicensing agreement for the 2026-27 NHL season. This marks the end of a 75-year tradition of free Saturday night NHL broadcasts on Canadian television, with games now airing exclusively on subscription-based Sportsnet platforms.

The CBC is a disaster. Was once an institution that served all Canadians with balance, fairness and good Canadiana content. No longer. We really should have an individual choice whether our taxes fund this relic, or not. I wouldn't give a dime to the network if I had a choice. The loss of the NHL is another nail in the coffin.

 

[80watts]

Found this on the subject... its neat....
https://www.bing.com/videos/rivervi...E3CF94A3066F13277239E3CF94A3&churl=&FORM=VIRE

I was actually looking for this song...
https://www.bing.com/videos/rivervi...om/channel/UC9mI8yLeORvYARBO_6gaSMQ&FORM=VIRE

 

[Larry's Torch]

The CBC is a disaster. Was once an institution that served all Canadians with balance, fairness and good Canadiana content. No longer. We really should have an individual choice whether our taxes fund this relic, or not. I wouldn't give a dime to the network if I had a choice. The loss of the NHL is another nail in the coffin.

I feel that the CBC still has value. I've been able to obtain some helpful information on a health concern I'm dealing with from some of the broadcasts they have have on radio.

 

[onegoalwonder]

I feel that the CBC still has value. I've been able to obtain some helpful information on a health concern I'm dealing with from some of the broadcasts they have have on radio.

When we emigrated to Canada many moons ago, the CBC introduced, and educated us, on what Canada means. We have become proud Canadians thanks to, As it Happens, Cross Country Checkup, and of course Hockey Night in Canada, and many local programs.
If your wan t to kill CBC, WELCOME TO FOX NIGHT IN CANADA.

 

[islander1-1]

Yes, Even though the CBC gets some revenue from advertising, the sad fact is this would not pay the invoice Rogers probably was asking.
Not only do we not get to watch HNIC on Saturday night, we don't get to see all the Stanley Cup games either unless we pay for Sportsnet (Rogers) on cable.

Then there is the top 1/3 of Canada, Yukon, NWT and Nunavut that do NOT have cable services, no Global or CTV stations either. Only the CBC. Last time I was in Inuvik, I captured a great photo of Native Kids playing street Hockey. If it was not for HNIC on CBC they would not know the game existed. CBC's primary mandates are to provide a majority of Canadian Content to 98% of the population of Canada, in 2 official Languages. This is where the government funding goes. NOT to programing. Every tiny community in the country is able to receive both Radio and Television in 2 languages. In the North there are 8 official Languages and CBC just happens to produce some programming in all of them.

 

[Larry's Torch]

(snip)
In the North there are 8 official Languages and CBC just happens to produce some programming in all of them.

THIS!

 

[80watts]

Yes, Even though the CBC gets some revenue from advertising, the sad fact is this would not pay the invoice Rogers probably was asking.
Not only do we not get to watch HNIC on Saturday night, we don't get to see all the Stanley Cup games either unless we pay for Sportsnet (Rogers) on cable.

Then there is the top 1/3 of Canada, Yukon, NWT and Nunavut that do NOT have cable services, no Global or CTV stations either. Only the CBC. Last time I was in Inuvik, I captured a great photo of Native Kids playing street Hockey. If it was not for HNIC on CBC they would not know the game existed. CBC's primary mandates are to provide a majority of Canadian Content to 98% of the population of Canada, in 2 official Languages. This is where the government funding goes. NOT to programing. Every tiny community in the country is able to receive both Radio and Television in 2 languages. In the North there are 8 official Languages and CBC just happens to produce some programming in all of them.

Break up Rogers as a monopoly. It used to be shaw and rogers and now shaw is gone. who is left Rogers... or fine them 10 M dollars every time Hockey Night in Canada is not played every saturday... The fed government should just ass fuck Rogers... They want to make profit, fuck them. Screw them over... gonna go Trump on them..... put them in jail.....

 

[80watts]

Yes, Even though the CBC gets some revenue from advertising, the sad fact is this would not pay the invoice Rogers probably was asking.
Not only do we not get to watch HNIC on Saturday night, we don't get to see all the Stanley Cup games either unless we pay for Sportsnet (Rogers) on cable.

Then there is the top 1/3 of Canada, Yukon, NWT and Nunavut that do NOT have cable services, no Global or CTV stations either. Only the CBC. Last time I was in Inuvik, I captured a great photo of Native Kids playing street Hockey. If it was not for HNIC on CBC they would not know the game existed. CBC's primary mandates are to provide a majority of Canadian Content to 98% of the population of Canada, in 2 official Languages. This is where the government funding goes. NOT to programing. Every tiny community in the country is able to receive both Radio and Television in 2 languages. In the North there are 8 official Languages and CBC just happens to produce some programming in all of them.

Did you know that in most sports at school, most kids would choose to play floor hockey, instead of other sports. Play hockey 2X a week, and the other 3 time have the other sports introduced. Young kids get track and field, mostly running races and soccer...Every kid should get 1- 1.5 hours a day sports.

 

[80watts]

Yes, Even though the CBC gets some revenue from advertising, the sad fact is this would not pay the invoice Rogers probably was asking.
Not only do we not get to watch HNIC on Saturday night, we don't get to see all the Stanley Cup games either unless we pay for Sportsnet (Rogers) on cable.

Then there is the top 1/3 of Canada, Yukon, NWT and Nunavut that do NOT have cable services, no Global or CTV stations either. Only the CBC. Last time I was in Inuvik, I captured a great photo of Native Kids playing street Hockey. If it was not for HNIC on CBC they would not know the game existed. CBC's primary mandates are to provide a majority of Canadian Content to 98% of the population of Canada, in 2 official Languages. This is where the government funding goes. NOT to programing. Every tiny community in the country is able to receive both Radio and Television in 2 languages. In the North there are 8 official Languages and CBC just happens to produce some programming in all of them.

What is is to be a Canadian. CBC radio.
Seems today the rule is to break up Canada, not bring it together....

 

[Larry's Torch]

What is is to be a Canadian. CBC radio.
Seems today the rule is to break up Canada, not bring it together....

Won't happen.

Recent polling indicates that support for Quebec sovereignty (leaving Canada) ranges from 15% to 32%, depending on the survey methodology and whether "hard-core" support is measured.

• Hard-Core Support: An Angus Reid survey from February 2026 found that only 15% of Quebecers are decided to vote "yes" in a referendum, with another 11% leaning toward that option.
• General Support: An Ipsos study from January 2026 reported that 32% of Quebecers support sovereignty, while 68% oppose it.
• Federalist Majority: Conversely, 82% of Quebecers believe Quebec should ultimately stay in Canada, and 67% support remaining within the Canadian federation in broader polling.

Most Quebecers do not view independence as a current priority, with the vast majority believing the question of sovereignty is settled.

Recent polling from mid-2026 indicates that support for Alberta separatism (leaving Canada) generally ranges from 15% to 30%, with a significant portion of the population firmly opposed.

• Current Support Levels: As of June 2026, polls show support for separation between 15% (Spark Insights) and 21% (Léger), with some outliers like Angus Reid recording 30% in late May.
• Hard-Core vs. Soft Support: While general support hovers around one-quarter of the population, "hard-core" support for an independent country is often lower (e.g., 15% in a May 2026 Léger poll), with an additional 6% preferring to join the United States.
• Opposition: A strong majority of Albertans oppose leaving Canada, with 73% voting "No" in recent June 2026 surveys by both Spark Insights and Léger.
• Trends: Support reached a five-year high of 27% in April 2026 (Pollara), driven partly by frustration with federal policies, though it remains lower than the peak of 41% seen in September 2025 (Ekos).

Unlike Quebec, where sovereignty is a long-standing political project, Alberta's separatist movement is often viewed as a leverage tool, with many supporters indicating they would remain in Canada if specific economic demands (such as pipeline approvals) were met

All talk.

 

[80watts]

I guess you can call the owners and CEO of Rogers --- American, cause they are all for profit....
They took away "Hockey Night in Canada".... The CEO has killed future Canadian generations the benefit of Hockey Night in Canada..... What an asshole....

 

[MRGREEN]

It's all about greed. Soon all sports will be streamed at a cost. There will no more "free" games on NBC, CBS or FOX.

Teams don't develop fans any more, they shear them.