This blog post is a response to Shoalts’ article in The Globe And Mail
Yes, you heard it right, it is now Roger’s Hockey Night in Canada. After a monster payout to the NHL for broadcast rights for the next 12 years by Rogers’ for $5.2 billion, CBC gave up the hockey culture it once formed 62 years ago with Saturday Hockey Night in Canada. Although the transition will likely be seamless (especially when Rogers’ will still be using the CBC studio), all the money will go directly to Rogers now. CBC will retain a fraction of its revenue by renting out the office space/studio and staff. A familiar face will now host the show: George Stroumboulopoulos. Ron Maclean will remain in Coach’s Corner with Don Cherry but will host Rogers’ Sunday Hometown Hockey. Though this story is predominantly about hockey, it takes into perspective that hockey is more of a business than a sport. The meltdown on this particular CBC department cost a loss of 657 total jobs and a $130 million budget cut because of the companies’ lost of $250 million earlier. With companies with a larger capital and more power in this market, CBC is facing a large threat in its professional sports broadcasting department due to their decreasing government funding (lack of opportunity) . The budget at CBC has been shrinking and thus lost one of their greatest strengths: broadcasting rights to CFL, NHL, and even World Cup Soccer matches.
The faces of the new Hockey Night in Canada from Rogers. (from left: Ron Maclean, George Stroumboulopoulos, Don Cherry)