Canada’s Hockey Fans Find Watching Become Expensive and Cumbersome
More games require extra subscriptions
The season is less than two months old, and the cost of following the N.H.L. has become a focus across Canada. Fans may need different services depending on the night and whether a game is regional or out of market.
Wednesday games are shown on Prime Video. TSN carries some regional games, but blackouts apply, while out-of-market games require an NHL Centre Ice subscription. The Globe and Mail reported this week that three TV providers complained to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission. They want Rogers Sportsnet to undo its decision to place more than 50 Monday games behind an additional $13-a-month streaming paywall.
Saturday night tradition ends
The shift adds to concerns about the cost and complexity of watching hockey, alongside high prices for attending games. The article says those costs have contributed to declining attendance, including for games featuring Connor McDavid in Edmonton.
CBC plans women’s hockey broadcasts
The CBC announced last month that it would begin airing Professional Women’s Hockey League games when the league’s season starts in December. The announcement comes as the broadcaster’s Saturday night N.H.L. coverage ends, reshaping its hockey programming for viewers in Canada.
Key points
- More than 50 Monday N.H.L. games are behind an extra $13 monthly paywall.
- Wednesday games are on Prime Video, while some TSN regional games have blackouts.
- CBC Saturday night N.H.L. broadcasts ended after 75 years.
- The CBC plans to air Professional Women’s Hockey League games starting in December.