NHL on CBC ends as Sportsnet wins exclusive Saturday rights in new 12-year deal
Sportsnet will air all Saturday NHL games after ending the cross-licensing partnership with the CBC, shifting the long-running Hockey Night in Canada tradition. This change means the NHL on CBC branding will no longer appear in the same way on Saturday broadcasts.
The NHL on CBC partnership has come to an end after a joint statement Tuesday from Sportsnet and the public broadcaster confirmed the move. Sportsnet said it will continue the Saturday night hockey tradition while the CBC outlined a new sports programming strategy following the Milano/Cortina Olympic Games. Under the arrangement announced, Sportsnet will carry all Saturday NHL games as part of a new 12-year broadcast deal that begins next season.
Sportsnet Announces End to CBC Cross-Licensing
Sportsnet framed the change as a continuation of Saturday night hockey under a single-network rollout. In its statement, the network described the previous arrangement as a "terrific partnership" and expressed interest in future collaborations with the CBC.
The announcement formalizes a shift from the cross-licensing model that allowed games to air on both networks. Sportsnet said the new structure will give it exclusive control of Saturday telecasts, including the scheduling and presentation of marquee matchups.
CBC Outlines New Sports Programming Strategy
The CBC said it will pursue a refreshed sports strategy following the success of its Olympic coverage. The public broadcaster highlighted its recent Milano/Cortina Games as a catalyst for rethinking how it approaches sports content across platforms.
CBC’s statement did not specify which NHL-related assets, if any, would remain with the public network. Instead, the broadcaster indicated it would explore alternative sports programming and partnerships that align with its mandate and audience priorities.
A Shift in a Long-Standing Hockey Tradition
Hockey Night in Canada first aired on television in 1952 and maintained exclusive Saturday night rights through the 2013–14 season. The program became a cultural touchstone for generations of Canadian viewers and a central part of the CBC schedule.
Since 2014, CBC had continued to broadcast selected games through a cross-licensing arrangement with Sportsnet that allowed the public broadcaster to present Hockey Night in Canada while Sportsnet managed the broader rights. The new announcement severs that arrangement for NHL telecasts, moving Saturday coverage fully under Sportsnet’s control.
Terms and Timing of the New 12-Year Deal
Sportsnet’s new agreement with the NHL spans 12 years and takes effect beginning next season, according to the announcement. The arrangement gives Sportsnet exclusive rights to Saturday games, consolidating a key weekly window for national hockey coverage.
Neither party released detailed financial terms or a complete breakdown of which games and ancillary rights are included. The public statements focused on programming strategy and the preservation of Saturday night hockey as an audience draw rather than granular commercial specifics.
Potential Impact on Viewers and Industry Partners
For viewers, the practical change is likely to be seen in branding, studio production, and the presentation of Saturday nights. Sportsnet will control promotional campaigns, in-arena graphics licensing, and the national studio product associated with the games it airs.
Broadcasters, advertisers and league partners will re-evaluate inventory and sponsorship placements tied to the Saturday window. The consolidation may also affect secondary rights, regional blackouts and streaming distribution depending on the finer points of the contract not disclosed in the initial release.
Responses and Future Collaboration Signals
Both networks struck a conciliatory tone in their public comments, pointing to the long relationship between them and indicating openness to future projects. Sportsnet emphasized its privilege in continuing a tradition for Canadian audiences, while CBC framed its move as part of a strategy rather than a retreat from sports altogether.
Industry observers will watch whether the CBC pursues rights to other major events or expands digital sports content, and whether Sportsnet leverages the exclusive Saturday platform to deepen its NHL presentation across linear and streaming channels.
The end of the cross-licensing era marks a notable realignment in Canadian hockey broadcasting, placing Saturday night hockey firmly under Sportsnet’s national umbrella. As the new 12-year deal begins next season, fans and stakeholders will be tracking scheduling, production changes and how each broadcaster positions itself in a transformed sports media landscape.
