The Southern Ontario/WNY Radio-TV Forum / Report: Rogers extends NHL rights through 2038

**Posted by torontostan** March 31, 2025 5:57 pm

As per https://www.sportico.com/leagues/hockey/2025/nhl-rogers-new-media-deal-billion-1234845631/

**Posted by paterson1** March 31, 2025 6:02 pm

WOW!! This is huge news..

**Posted by RadioActive** March 31, 2025 6:22 pm

What does this mean for Hockey Night In Canada on the CBC?

**Posted by torontostan** March 31, 2025 6:24 pm

RadioActive wrote:
What does this mean for Hockey Night In Canada on the CBC?

That was a separate arrangement between Rogers and the CBC that gave Rogers 100% of the CBC ad time during the games, but I wouldn't be surprised if Rogers abolishes that.... they've been experimenting more with airing games on their properties only.

**Posted by paterson1** March 31, 2025 8:11 pm

It will be interesting to see if this is exactly the same as the previous agreement, although it sort of reads like it could be. Wonder if Rogers will sell some parts of the package. The CBC aspect is interesting as well. Does Rogers still want them and does the CBC want to continue, or would Rogers sell a slice to CBC? Will Rogers parcel something off for a streamer?

**Posted by cash** March 31, 2025 8:13 pm

I guess TSN is stuck with the CFL for a long, long time.

**Posted by paterson1** March 31, 2025 8:26 pm

CFL and the NFL. Bell Media and NFL agreed to a long term deal a few years back and also wrangled an arrangement that they show some games that are streamed everywhere else but play on CTV and TSN here.

**Posted by torontostan** March 31, 2025 9:22 pm

cash wrote:
I guess TSN is stuck with the CFL for a long, long time.

Not a necessity

**Posted by paterson1** April 1, 2025 10:34 am

Here is a bit more information from the Globe and Mail. Interesting that in 2023 the pre tax profit of Sportsnet was $88 million. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-rogers-renews-nhl-tv-rights-contract-in-canada-signing-12-year-11/#:~:text=Rogers%20will%20pay%20US%247.7,NHL%20had%20reached%20a%20deal.

**Posted by RadioActive** April 1, 2025 5:41 pm

cash wrote:
I guess TSN is stuck with the CFL for a long, long time.

Speaking of TSN & the CFL...

Sources: TSN president Johnston top candidate to become CFL commissioner

**Posted by paterson1** April 1, 2025 7:38 pm

I believe Bell Media's agreement with the CFL finishes at the end of 2026. TVA Sports has expressed interest in the CFL french language rights which Bell Media has. Pierre Peladeau CEO of TVA owns the Montreal Alouettes. TSN has always countered Sportsnets Blue Jays baseball with their CFL games. They have had exclusive rights to the league since 2008.

**Posted by RadioAaron** April 1, 2025 7:44 pm

What happens to the Leafs' regional rights now that Rogers has full control of the team might be make-or-break for TSN.

I don't know how a cable sports network survives with only the CFL and NFL overflow in market #1

**Posted by RadioActive** April 1, 2025 8:32 pm

The Sun's Steve Simmons does not hold back his anger, his disappointment or his contempt for Rogers with this renewal.

"Having watched Sportsnet hockey since it became the sole rightsholder, I honestly waited for a breakthrough. I waited for something special to happen, but all that happened was chopping and more chopping, a product lessened by cost-cutting over time...

Almost anything that cost too much, gone."

Canadian hockey fans the losers in Rogers' $11-billion NHL deal

**Posted by torontostan** April 2, 2025 9:05 am

RadioAaron wrote:
What happens to the Leafs' regional rights now that Rogers has full control of the team might be make-or-break for TSN.

I don't know how a cable sports network survives with only the CFL and NFL overflow in market #1

This is a stretch... I disagree. Sportsnet losing the NHL national deal would've been far worse for them compared to TSN losing Leafs regional games. 26 Maple Leafs games would makeup a small percentage of TSN's revenue, the only threat would be subscriber loss... and I think the value prop for viewers is still there... NFL, CFL, IIHF including World Juniors, FIFA events, NCAA, PGA, and so on. Not to mention that many of their Ontario subscribers would be Bell TV customers so those wouldn't be threatened. Your point on the NFL overflow is taken... but they could increase the number of games exclusively aired on TSN (think Monday & Thursday night exclusivity, and so on)...

**Posted by paterson1** April 2, 2025 9:38 am

I don't understand Steve Simmons rage against the new deal. If the new agreement is more or less an extension of what they were doing fine. If Rogers is going to sell parts of the package to whoever, let's see what it is before commenting how terrible it is.

His comments about them doing it on the cheap and losing/firing their star talents are a bit rich. I didn't mind Stromo, but just as many or more didn't like him at all. Don Cherry? Rogers should have handled it better but Don's time had come. And them producing some games with three cameras? Please.. this is what happens when a newspaper guy tries to comment on broadcasting and doesn't know what he is talking about.

I have no big issues with Sportsnet and their NHL coverage, other than the blackouts of games eight hours away. I like their Blue Jays telecasts overall and they do a good job. Same with hockey, but I am not a sports fanatic. More of an average sports fan.

I think overall TSN is the better sports network, simply because they have more variety of sports than Sportsnet and usually have three or four different feeds on their networks, while Sportsnet usually only two.

Last edited by paterson1 (April 2, 2025 9:40 am)

**Posted by torontostan** April 2, 2025 11:33 am

Sportsnet didn't have much of a choice... if they lost this package they'd be toast, especially if interest in the Blue Jays sags again. TVA or RDS will pay a pretty penny for the French rights, as will Amazon for a weekly game or two plus some playoff series.

Steve complains (as is typical) about Cherry, Healy, Strombo, Marek, and Simpson not being on the airwaves.... newsflash Steve... if anyone but Rogers/CBC held the TV rights, none of these personalities would've been in the picture anyways.

Blackouts exist in every major north american league... Canadians just aren't accustomed to it because we only experience them when it comes to the NHL and NFL. They won't be going away in this deal

**Posted by Ale Ont** April 2, 2025 11:36 am

I don't know if Simmons is still part of a show in TSN. But, anytime he gets a chance, he hammers anything to do with Rogers. Bruce Garrioch is the same in Ottawa. He appears on Senators broadcasts and works for Postmedia. TSN has Garrioch in their pocket.

**Posted by Ale Ont** April 2, 2025 1:19 pm

Anyone with a Rogers phone plan, cable or internet can probably expect a rate increase. Would there also be layoffs? Or selling some radio? And do they have enough money to sign Vladdy and Bo? Stay tuned.

**Posted by paterson1** April 2, 2025 1:24 pm

ABC has been running NHL games for the past few Saturdays at 8pm. Couple of weeks ago the Red Wing/Golden Knights game drew 690,000 viewers, and a 2 share 18-49. Last Saturday saw the Bruins/Red Wings with 830,000 tuned in and again a 2 share 18-49.

In fairness Saturday evening is not a big night for TV viewing in the US, at least not for OTA TV.

**Posted by mace** April 2, 2025 1:30 pm

torontostan wrote:
Sportsnet didn't have much of a choice... if they lost this package they'd be toast, especially if interest in the Blue Jays sags again. TVA or RDS will pay a pretty penny for the French rights, as will Amazon for a weekly game or two plus some playoff series.

Steve complains (as is typical) about Cherry, Healy, Strombo, Marek, and Simpson not being on the airwaves.... newsflash Steve... if anyone but Rogers/CBC held the TV rights, none of these personalities would've been in the picture anyways.

Blackouts exist in every major north american league... Canadians just aren't accustomed to it because we only experience them when it comes to the NHL and NFL. They won't be going away in this deal

Agreed. If you are a Leaf fan living east of Belleville, you reside in the Senators territory and to watch most Leaf games a subscription to Rogers NHL version of Sunday Ticket is required. I subscribed last year but have since discovered, umm, free alternative sources.

**Posted by RadioActive** April 2, 2025 4:45 pm

RadioActive wrote:
cash wrote:
I guess TSN is stuck with the CFL for a long, long time.
Speaking of TSN & the CFL...

Sources: TSN president Johnston top candidate to become CFL commissioner

It's official.

TSN president Stewart Johnston named 15th commissioner of the CFL

**Posted by andysradio** April 3, 2025 7:35 am

What does this mean for TSN 690, 1050 and 1200?

**Posted by RadioActive** April 3, 2025 7:42 am

The New York Times offshoot The Athletic brings up the subject of what happens now with the CBC deal?

"Rogers sports & media president Colette Watson added that discussions will be held with the public broadcast network CBC, which airs “Hockey Night in Canada,” about extending a deal beyond next season. And, as fans of Canadian teams know, Sportsnet and Bell Media’s TSN share rights for regional games."

What does the NHL-Rogers TV deal mean for ‘Hockey Night in Canada’, future of broadcasting?

**Posted by torontostan** April 3, 2025 8:26 am

andysradio wrote:
What does this mean for TSN 690, 1050 and 1200?

Radio rights were (and still are not) part of the national rights..... they're negotiated with each team.

**Posted by paterson1** April 3, 2025 8:49 am

I assumed that Rogers wouldn't be interested in continuing an arrangement with CBC for Hockey Night in Canada. However judging by the article and what Rogers and Gerry Bettman said it looks like it is a real possibility of the NHL might continue on CBC. The only question might be is the CBC still interested? For some reason I have the feeling that they may not be. And they also will want to see what happens in the federal election as to their future.

**Posted by torontostan** April 3, 2025 10:21 am

paterson1 wrote:
I assumed that Rogers wouldn't be interested in continuing an arrangement with CBC for Hockey Night in Canada. However judging by the article and what Rogers and Gerry Bettman said it looks like it is a real possibility of the NHL might continue on CBC. The only question might be is the CBC still interested? For some reason I have the feeling that they may not be. And they also will want to see what happens in the federal election as to their future.

The CBC would definitely be interested in keeping this going. It was a win-win at the time, now I'm not so sure that it's smart for Rogers... the only reason it makes sense for Rogers to continue the arrangement is to avoid the backlash if they had to abandon the "Hockey Night In Canada" brand which the CBC owns...

**Posted by RadioActive** April 9, 2025 7:33 am

The satirical website The Beaverton weighs in on the deal. (I'm just afraid this is more accurate that it's meant to be!)

Rogers CEO says joy of torturing Canadians with garbage hockey broadcast worth way more than 11 billion dollars

**Posted by Shorty Wave** April 9, 2025 7:43 am

RadioActive wrote:
The satirical website The Beaverton weighs in on the deal. (I'm just afraid this is more accurate that it's meant to be!)

Rogers CEO says joy of torturing Canadians with garbage hockey broadcast worth way more than 11 billion dollars

I have only recently started reading The Beaverton, pretty funny at times, like the fact that it is a Canadian site!

Last edited by Shorty Wave (April 9, 2025 7:55 am)

**Posted by mace** April 9, 2025 7:56 am

Territorial blackouts have always been part of the Rogers deal. Leaf fan in Quebec or Habs fan in Manitoba? Simple. Cough up the $200+ per year for the Rogers NHL version of Sunday Ticket and voila all your teams games are now available.