After being on air for 18 years, “Hockey Night in Canada: Punjabi Edition” has been canceled, the show announced on Friday. The Punjabi-language sportscast expressed gratitude for the community’s support over the years, emphasizing its unique contributions to Canadian sports by sharing stories of South Asian players and families.
Rogers Sportsnet, the national NHL rights-holder, described the decision to cancel the show as challenging, citing insufficient audience levels for sustaining long-term production. Despite the cancellation, Jagraj Lalli, a commentator on the show, highlighted the enduring impact of the show’s mission, aiming to continue fostering connections between the Punjabi community and North American sports.
Fans reacted with disappointment online, expressing fond memories and appreciation for the representation the show provided. The last season of the show averaged 1,500 viewers, with more than half of the games drawing fewer than 1,000 viewers, according to Sportsnet. Former show alumnus Bhupinder Singh Hundal also shared his reflections, underscoring the program’s significance in showcasing Punjabi language, culture, and community on a national platform.
The cancellation of “Hockey Night in Canada: Punjabi Edition” follows CBC’s announcement in June that it would no longer broadcast “Hockey Night in Canada” after failing to secure a new sublicensing deal with Sportsnet. Additionally, Rogers Sports and Media shut down Vancouver’s sports radio station, Sportsnet 650, in July after nearly a decade on the air.