After 18 years on the air, the program “Hockey Night in Canada: Punjabi Edition” has been canceled, as announced by the show on Friday. The Punjabi-language sports broadcast expressed that since its launch in 2008, it had brought the community closer to the beloved game. The show highlighted the stories of South Asian players and families, creating a uniquely Canadian sports space.
Rogers Sportsnet, the national NHL rights-holder, referred to the cancellation as a “difficult decision.” Despite acknowledging the significant impact on Punjabi-speaking hockey fans, the company stated that the show’s viewership levels were not sufficient for long-term sustainability.
Jagraj Lalli, a commentator on the show, shared his shock upon learning about the cancellation. He emphasized that the show’s mission of diversity and connection would endure, ensuring that the bond between the Punjabi language, community, and North American sports remains unbroken.
Lalli reflected on the show’s role in providing representation for emerging broadcasters within the Punjabi community. He recounted his emotional debut covering a Vancouver Canucks game in 2025 and expressed gratitude for the support received.
Fans expressed disappointment online about the show’s cancellation, highlighting its significance in representing diversity within hockey. The last season’s average viewership was reported at 1,500, with most games attracting fewer than 1,000 viewers, as per Sportsnet data.
Former show member Bhupinder Singh Hundal also shared his sentiments online, acknowledging the transformative impact of “Hockey Night Punjabi” on his career and the broader Punjabi community’s recognition on a national platform.
The decision to cancel the program follows CBC’s earlier announcement in June regarding the end of its broadcast of “Hockey Night in Canada” after nearly a century due to unsuccessful negotiations with Sportsnet. In a related move, Rogers Sports and Media closed Vancouver’s Sportsnet 650 sports radio station in July after nearly ten years on the air.