Legendary TV Program Unexpectedly Taken off the Air After 74 Years

One of North America's longest-running television programs and beloved sports shows is ending after a 74-year run.

Since 1952, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) has entertained millions of hockey fans with its Hockey Night in Canada program on television. The network also aired every Stanley Cup Final series from 1953 to 2026.

But in a stunning development, CBC and Rogers Sportsnet announced in a joint statement that they were ending their sublicensing deal, bringing an end to the legendary Hockey Night in Canada program:

"After a successful 12-year partnership, Sportsnet and CBC today announced the public broadcaster will no longer carry NHL broadcasts after the current season as it moves forward with a new sports programming strategy following the unprecedented success of the Milano/Cortina Olympic Games.

"Watching hockey on Saturday night is a time-honoured tradition for Canadians, and Sportsnet is privileged to continue delivering that tradition. This has been a terrific partnership, and both parties look forward to continued opportunities to collaborate in the future."

In 2014, Rogers Communications and the NHL began a lucrative 12-year broadcasting agreement worth $5.2 billion CAD (about $4.91 billion USD at the time). However, CBC and Rogers agreed on a sublicensing deal, keeping Hockey Night in Canada intact and allowing CBC to continue airing NHL games.

Last year, Rogers and the NHL agreed on a new 12-year TV rights deal worth $11 billion CAD ($7.7 billion USD). That agreement will begin in the upcoming 2026-27 campaign.

‘Hockey Night in Canada' Was the Longest-Running TV Sports Program

The Guinness Book of World Records lists Hockey Night in Canada as the longest-running sports television program in history. The show produced notable sports broadcasting icons, including Dick Irvin Jr., Bill Hewitt, Bob Cole, Don Cherry, Ron McLean, Don Wittman and Chris Cuthbert.

Additionally, CBC aired ice hockey contests across multiple Winter Olympic Games, including the men's and women's gold medal triumphs at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah.

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Jun 16, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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This story was originally published June 16, 2026 at 4:57 PM.