06/17/2026
As a kid in Michigan, growing up on Saturdays in the winter was the sounds of ‘Hockey Night in Canada’ and hearing the voices of Bob Cole, Don Cherry, Chris Cuthbert, and Gary Galley.
It’s where the Red Wings play-by-play of many years got his start, Ken Daniels.
Those days of a kid from Michigan watching Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, and then late night going to Edmonton, Vancouver, or Calgary are gone.
One would wonder why the leagues’ television partners consistently forget the young fan that’ll grow up to be the fan that fills the joint in the arena.
For a premium subscription, SN+ is $341.24 — CBC, the Canadian Broadcast Corporation, has been on air in Canada since 1931 — Canadians pay for the CBC with their taxes. Does anyone care about the everyday fan? The answer is no.
The everyday fan has been put on the endeavor of being nickel-and-dimed by every sport: NHL, NBA, NFL, MLB, or college sports.
It does not stop; it probably won’t stop. However, eventually, one would wonder about the next generation of the fan. Do they even exist? Do the leagues care? They should, but they’ve shown the ability to be completely tone-deaf.
In both countries, Canada and the United States, the fan, the average fan, is having a tough time, but does the subscription fee to watch their favorite sports take priority over clothes, food, or gas? Probably not.
The issue with CBC ending isn’t Hockey Night in Canada ending; it was the last of a dying breed where the average fan doesn’t get left behind.
Will these leagues regret this one day? Probably, but do they care right now? No.
Realistically, Hockey Night in Canada died when Don Cherry was fired, but nevertheless, it was a sad day for many Americans and Canadians.
