Watching an NHL game this season may be more complicated than you think
CBC
It has never been more complicated or more expensive to watch hockey than it is right now. And yet, as the puck drops on this NHL season, the broadcasting rights landscape in Canada is bracing for much more dramatic changes.
And experts warn whatever changes come, they won't make it easier on fans trying to watch hockey.
"I think we're headed for an era of greater complication," says Cary Kaplan, founder and president of Cosmos Sports.
Since 2013, Rogers Communications has held the exclusive rights to broadcast national hockey games in Canada. It paid a staggering $5.2 billion in a deal that shocked the hockey world.
But having a singular rights holder didn't mean it was suddenly easier for fans to watch their favourite teams.
Now, to watch NHL games this season, which starts Monday, you will need to subscribe to Sportsnet, TSN, TVA and Amazon Prime.
Depending on the night, the games will air on one of those streaming services — and fans will have to check local listings to see where their favourite team is playing on any given night.
Amazon inked a deal with Rogers in the spring that will see the online giant stream regular-season games on Monday Night Hockey. That deal was heralded by Rogers, Amazon and the NHL as an important way to reach new audiences.
"We are committed to serving hockey fans and reaching new audiences with our robust content distribution strategy that brings viewers exciting NHL content to a multitude of streaming services," said David Proper, senior executive vice-president, media & international strategy with the NHL.
The current Rogers deal doesn't expire until the end of next season.
But in a recent interview with Sports Business Journal, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said negotiations for the next deal will begin this season.
"As far as the national rights in Canada go, when do you potentially start negotiations on that next deal?" Bettman was asked.
"The beginning of [2025]. Rogers has an exclusive negotiating period which, of course, we'll honour," he told the sports publication.
Rogers has said it intends to pursue a renewal of its broadcast rights.
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