TV providers say Rogers' Monday hockey move inflates prices, 'erodes' sports viewing

Summary

• Cogeco, Eastlink, & SaskTel accused Rogers of violating competition rules by moving Monday night NHL broadcasts exclusively to Sportsnet Plus.
• The providers claim Rogers is inflating bills by charging a $12.99 monthly add-on fee for Monday games unless customers already subscribe to Rogers TV or Sportsnet Plus.
• The trio requested the CRTC order Rogers to provide content to independent distributors for free to ensure parity.
• Rivals argue the strategy degrades user experiences on other platforms & erodes sports on television by preventing comprehensible lineup assembly.
• This season also sees the end of a sublicensing agreement allowing Saturday night NHL broadcasts on CBC under the Hockey Night in Canada brand.
• Rogers increased the annual cost of Sportsnet Plus to $344.99 & secured a 12-year deal with Amazon for exclusive Wednesday night regular-season national games.
• The 2026-27 NHL season marks the first under Rogers' $11-billion, 12-year national TV rights deal for English broadcasts.
• The report was published by The Canadian Press on Nov. 11, 2026.