Canadians are mourning the end of a cherished broadcasting tradition after CBC announced that Hockey Night in Canada will no longer air on the public broadcaster following the expiration of its sublicensing agreement with Rogers Sportsnet.

The decision marks the conclusion of a relationship that has connected generations of hockey fans through radio and television broadcasts spanning nearly 90 years. Many viewers reacted with disappointment, describing the move as the end of a defining piece of Canadian culture.

Historians and sports enthusiasts say Hockey Night in Canada was far more than a television program. Since its radio debut in 1936 and television launch in 1952, the broadcast served as a weekly gathering point for families and communities across the country, helping shape Canada's identity as a hockey nation.

The program played a significant role in popularizing the sport and inspiring countless young athletes. Many of Canada's greatest hockey players grew up listening to or watching Hockey Night in Canada, dreaming of one day playing on the national stage.

Beyond hockey, the broadcast helped drive innovation in sports media. The show is widely credited with introducing instant replay technology in the 1950s, a development that transformed sports broadcasting worldwide. Its iconic theme song also became a cultural symbol, often referred to as Canada's unofficial second national anthem.

For decades, Saturday nights revolved around Hockey Night in Canada's signature double-header format, featuring games from across the country and connecting fans from coast to coast.

CBC had continued airing NHL games through a sublicensing agreement after Rogers Sportsnet secured the league's Canadian media rights in 2013. However, the broadcaster confirmed that a new agreement could not be reached ahead of Rogers' recently renewed long-term NHL rights deal.

The announcement sparked strong reactions online, with many Canadians expressing sadness over the loss of a national institution. Others raised concerns about accessibility, noting that hockey fans may now face additional subscription costs to watch NHL games.

While NHL coverage will continue through other broadcasters, many Canadians view the departure of Hockey Night in Canada from CBC as the end of an era that helped define the country's sporting and cultural landscape.