This could be looked at from many angles.  It could be a chess game between Rogers and CBC regarding the public networks continuing coverage of the NHL telecasts next year and whatever arrangement is made, or not made, for the next broadcast hockey deal. 

CBC may be planning to get out of NHL coverage altogether after next season and this is a test to see the reaction.  Or it could be the reverse that CBC is looking for a better deal or to possibly bid with Rogers for broadcast rights in the next round and split coverage and revenues.

Maybe Rogers has indicated to CBC that the crown corporation won't be part of any deal with them next time and CBC is giving Rogers a peek as to what will come right now.  This could make Rogers reconsider or rethink the strategy.  And CBC has next season to do the same.  

Like other sports, the broadcasts rights next time will not be nearly as exclusive to one party as this past deal with Rogers.  Some streamers will step up absolutely in the US and in Canada and the games will be divided up much more than now. 

Will Bell enter seriously into the bidding?  NHL hockey coverage will be key for the cable sports networks in Canada to flourish and we will see if Bell goes for any part of the rights.  Also would be an indicator if Bell plans to continue as a broadcaster or is looking to get out of both radio and TV at some point.  Would Rogers and Bell, even CBC work together for the broadcast rights to prevent the streamers from monopolizing coverage? Anything is possible.

Remember, TSN, Sportsnet and CBC already work together on Olympic coverage both summer and winter, and have for years, so this isn't unheard of.  Desperate times might call for desperate measures.    

 

CBC is on the record saying they will not bid for broadcast rights of professional sports.

Ale Ont wrote:

CBC is on the record saying they will not bid for broadcast rights of professional sports.

CBC said that about 10 years ago, maybe more but I am not sure that still applies if they were to purchase in conjunction with other broadcasters. They may have been referring to bidding by themselves for professional sports like the NHL or CFL which they cannot do anymore regardless since they really don't have the resources. 

CBC is part of the broadcast group that has the rights to the Professional Women's Hockey League along with Sportsnet and TSN. 

Even though technically it is not professional but still a first tier sporting event, CBC has Canadian broadcast rights for the summer and winter olympics for the next 10 years, which they share with TSN and Sportsnet. 

So this is why I am thinking that they either will get out of NHL broadcasting altogether or possibly join under a different arrangement with Sportsnet and possibly TSN.  This would be to try and prevent streamers from holding all or the bulk of the broadcast right for Canada.

The streamers are losing boatloads of cash and are looking to sports to help make them profitable.  NHL is still not a big deal for TV in the US but someone like Disney or Amazon might make it one. 

It appears the CBC's decision not to show the hockey games did not lead to a large number of eyeballs tuning in to their alternate programming. 

"On CBC, instead of a hockey simulcast as is the norm at playoff time, the one hour broadcast of the final night of the Canadian Screen Awards was watched by an overnight, estimated total of 141,000 viewers. In the 18-49-year-old demo — the one advertisers covet — the estimate was 14,000. That is less than the number of fans who saw the Oilers game at the rink."

CBC’s real Ultimate Challenge — never schedule the Canadian Screen Awards in hockey season
 

Mr. Brioux mentions one big issue for the Canadian Screen Awards is the fact it is held over 4 nights and gives out too many awards.  The process needs to be slimmed down and simplified. 

Two Crave originals did well and were worthy of the recognition.  Little Bird was one of the best  dramas  I had watched this year.  Well acted, directed and a multi-layered storyline.  APTN produced this mini series with Crave.  Billion Dollar murders, was unique that it dealt with a high profile murder, explored the crime from many angles, at times eery and troubling and great mystery well worth the time to watch.

Looks like CTV's Sullivan's Crossing is doing well with viewers.  The show had a solid 732,000 overnight viewers on Sunday evening and will likely hit over 1 million when recorded viewing  is added in and the numbers updated.  The show is a great lead in for the simsub hit Tracker at 9pm.