CBC’s iconic program, “Hockey Night in Canada,” is set to mark its 90th season this autumn with a twist. Instead of the usual NHL coverage spanning over six months, the show will feature eight prime time games from the Professional Women’s Hockey League on Saturday nights. This decision was announced by CBC on Monday morning.
The coverage will kick off on December 5 with the Montreal Victoire, the reigning Walter Cup champions, facing off against Hamilton’s new expansion team. Viewers can expect comprehensive coverage of the games, including pre- and post-game panel analysis, as well as additional digital content on CBCSports.ca and various social media platforms.
Earlier this year, on June 16, CBC revealed that it would no longer broadcast NHL games due to a lack of agreement with national rights-holder Rogers Sportsnet on a new sublicensing deal. Despite this, the broadcaster retained the rights to the “Hockey Night in Canada” trademark for potential future use.
Chris Wilson, CBC’s executive director of Sports and Olympics, expressed excitement about the new direction, stating that the partnership with the PWHL signifies a fresh chapter in sports history. The move aims to leverage the strong legacy of “Hockey Night in Canada” alongside the PWHL’s expanding fanbase, offering audiences nationwide access to top-tier hockey at no cost.
The PWHL is gearing up for its fourth season, with the addition of new teams in Detroit, Las Vegas, San Jose, and Hamilton, bringing the total to 12 teams. The league’s full schedule for the upcoming season is set to be unveiled this Friday, maintaining the tradition of featuring Canadian teams in each “HNIC” broadcast.
Amy Scheer, PWHL’s executive vice-president of business operations, highlighted the significance of the partnership with CBC in enhancing league accessibility and growth. She emphasized the cultural importance of “Hockey Night in Canada” in Canadian sports and its role in engaging fans for nearly a century.
In addition to the Saturday games, CBC/Radio-Canada has secured exclusive audio broadcast rights for all Victoire games in Canada for the 2026-27 season. The network will also debut new sports shows, with CBC Sports Primetime premiering on October 3, hosted by Andi Petrillo, and Radio-Canada’s Rendez-vous Podium on October 18, hosted by Jacinthe Taillon.
CBC Sports Primetime, airing on CBC and streaming on CBC Gem, will feature a diverse range of sports content, including women’s sports, high-performance competitions, and major events like the Canada Super60 cricket league, the Grand Slam of Curling, and the ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix.
Wilson emphasized CBC’s commitment to equitable coverage of women’s sports across its platforms, aiming to showcase athletes’ stories and achievements. Radio-Canada’s Rendez-vous Podium, airing on ICI Tele and ICI TOU.TV, will combine athletic performances with personal narratives, offering viewers a glimpse into the lives of elite athletes as they prepare for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
