CBC drops NHL broadcasts after 74 years; Rogers moves 'Hockey Night' to Sportsnet

For the first time since 1952, the NHL did not broadcast on CBC's "Hockey Night in Canada" this past Saturday, October 3. Instead, Rogers moved its NHL feature games to "Saturday Night Hockey," airing exclusively on Sportsnet at 6:30 p.m. ET / 3:30 p.m. PT.

CBC and Rogers did not extend their sublicensing deal for NHL games in 2026. The content on Sportsnet's Saturday Night Hockey is largely the same as Hockey Night in Canada of past seasons, but fans across social media expressed frustration and nostalgia over the loss of the iconic branding.

"We are still calling it Hockey Night in Canada," one fan wrote on X. Another said: "I miss Hockey Night in Canada. Like, what do you mean it's Saturday night hockey now?" Jennifer Chefero posted: "First Saturday without 'Hockey Night In Canada' since birth. Traditions should never die. Especially not one you remember watching with your dad every Saturday night since you were 6. I am truly gutted."

Rob Suggitt added: "Saturday Night Hockey is about to start, but it will always be Hockey Night in Canada to me. #HNIC". The Hockey Illuminati framed it differently: "First Saturday in 74 years we don't have NHL Hockey Night in Canada on CBC. We use to be a proper country."

Meanwhile, CBC announced last month its plan to air 26 PWHL (Professional Women's Hockey League) games this season, with eight of those matchups on Saturday. Those women's hockey games will air under the Hockey Night in Canada banner, continuing the tradition in a different form.