Canadians Lament Loss of Hockey Night Broadcasts
A new survey shows most NHL followers feel the end of traditional Saturday broadcasts is a significant loss.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Hockey
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A survey from the Angus Reid Institute reveals that 74 per cent of Canadian NHL fans view the departure of traditional Saturday-night broadcasts as a significant loss. Additionally, 90 per cent of respondents state that hockey remains an important or defining element of Canadian identity.
Why it matters
The findings highlight growing frustration among fans as professional sports coverage becomes fragmented across numerous platforms. High subscription costs and the need for multiple services have led to 79 per cent of dedicated followers feeling it is too expensive to follow their teams.
The survey polled 1,806 Canadian adults between October 19 and October 22, 2026, using an online methodology with a margin of error of plus/minus two percentage points. Notably, 83 per cent of fans in Atlantic Canada describe the loss of the Saturday-night broadcast as significant.
The players
Angus Reid Institute
This is a non-profit, non-partisan public opinion research foundation based in Canada that conducts surveys on major social and political issues.
CBC
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation serves as the country's national public broadcaster for both television and radio.
Professional Women's Hockey League
The PWHL is a professional women's ice hockey league featuring teams from both Canada and the United States.
The details
While fans express dissatisfaction with the current sports broadcast landscape, 64 per cent of respondents advocate for increased television coverage of women's professional sports. The CBC is scheduled to begin addressing this demand by airing eight Professional Women's Hockey League games on Saturday nights.
Timeline
The Angus Reid Institute survey was conducted between October 19 and October 22, 2026.
The CBC begins airing PWHL games on Saturday nights starting December 5, 2026.
Season Trajectory
Public sentiment regarding the end of traditional broadcasts marks a significant shift in the Canadian sports ecosystem following the 12-year NHL and Rogers broadcast extension. This data indicates that the fragmentation of sports media is altering how fans engage with the NHL season.
With 78 per cent of NHL fans stating that requiring additional subscriptions is detrimental, many viewers face increased monthly costs to maintain access to games. The shift towards multi-platform distribution means fans must navigate more services than in previous years to follow their teams.
The takeaway
The strong national sentiment for hockey suggests that fans value accessibility as much as the sport itself. Moving forward, providers may need to balance subscription revenue goals with the public expectation for unified and affordable access to national sports events.
What happens next
The CBC will begin airing Professional Women's Hockey League games on Saturday nights starting December 5, 2026.
Further reading
For more context on the evolving media landscape of the sport, visit the Canada Hockey section.
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