Extended Broadcast Partnership Secured for French-Language NHL Coverage Through 2038
September 8, 2026
Beginning with the 2026-27 hockey campaign, a fresh sublicensing arrangement will ensure that French-speaking audiences across Canada continue to have access to National Hockey League content. Rogers Communications and Quebecor have finalized a twelve-year extension that runs until the 2037-38 season, solidifying their long-term cooperation in delivering professional hockey to the Francophone market. This development follows a broader media rights deal between Rogers and the NHL that covers all platforms nationwide over the same twelve-year duration.
Under the terms of this renewed pact, Quebecor’s media outlets, including TVA Sports and its digital streaming services, will be the primary destination for these broadcasts. The agreement also integrates the illico+ platform into the viewing experience. Fans can expect a significant volume of content, as the deal encompasses as many as 350 games during each regular season. A notable highlight of the contract is the expanded coverage of the Montréal Canadiens; the team will see 32 of its regular-season matches broadcast in French, representing an increase of ten games compared to the previous contractual terms. Furthermore, the agreement grants Quebecor the rights to broadcast every Montréal Canadiens postseason game.
Beyond the local focus on Montréal, the programming schedule will feature a heavy emphasis on the Stanley Cup Playoffs. This includes the majority of opening-round series, three-quarters of the matchups in the second round, and full coverage of both the Conference Finals and the championship series. Major league-wide events are also part of the package. Leaders from all involved organizations, including Rogers CEO Tony Staffieri and Quebecor CEO Pierre Karl Péladeau, expressed their commitment to maintaining the cultural tradition of French-language hockey. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman also noted that the collaboration helps maintain a vital connection with millions of enthusiasts throughout Quebec and the rest of the country.
Quebecor, an established telecommunications and media pillar in Canada since its founding in 1950, continues its role as a key sports broadcaster through this partnership. Meanwhile, Rogers maintains its position as the central rights holder for the league in Canada. Both companies emphasized that this extension builds upon a working relationship that has been in place since 2014, aimed at maximizing the reach of Canada's national sport to diverse linguistic audiences.
Read original at Rogers Newsroom.