Calgary Flames Lose Hockey Night in Canada Broadcast Rights to Rogers Sportsnet

The Calgary Flames will no longer have a Saturday night game on CBC as Rogers Sportsnet takes over the broadcast rights to NHL games. This marks the end of a 70-year tradition of Hockey Night in Canada on free TV. The partnership between CBC and Rogers Sportsnet lasted 12 seasons, with games airing on CBC and CityTV, while out-of-market games were available on the Sportsnet+ app. Rogers has secured a new 12-year deal with the NHL, granting exclusive rights to NHL games across TV, digital, and streaming. This means fans will need to pay a subscription fee to watch games, including the Calgary Flames. The change is in line with the shift towards subscription-based platforms in sports media. Fans of other Canadian teams, such as the Toronto Blue Jays and Toronto Raptors, already require a subscription to watch their teams. The Calgary Flames will now join them. The NHL has become a premium product, and fans are willing to pay for it. The end of an era for Hockey Night in Canada on free TV is a result of advancements in technology and changing consumer habits. The Calgary Flames will continue to play, but fans will need to adapt to the new way of watching their team.