The Punjabi Edition of “Hockey Night in Canada” has been cancelled after being on air for 18 years, as announced by the show on Friday. The Punjabi-language sports broadcast stated that since its launch in 2008, it had brought the community closer to their beloved game. The show was commended for sharing the stories of South Asian players and families, creating a unique space in Canadian sports. Rogers Sportsnet, the national NHL rights-holder, referred to the cancellation as a challenging decision due to insufficient audience levels for long-term sustainability. Despite this, the company acknowledged the significance of the broadcasts to many Punjabi-speaking hockey enthusiasts.
Jagraj Lalli, a commentator on the show, expressed shock upon learning about the cancellation. He reflected on the show’s legacy of diversity and connection, emphasizing that its mission would endure. Lalli pledged to uphold the connections fostered by the show between the Punjabi language, community, and North American sports. He highlighted how the show also provided a platform for aspiring broadcasters within the Punjabi community.
Fans expressed disappointment online over the cancellation, reminiscing about the impact of the show. Individuals shared their personal connections to the program, with one user noting the representation it offered for the South Asian community in hockey. The last season of the show garnered an average audience of 1,500 viewers, with many games attracting fewer than 1,000 viewers, according to Sportsnet.
Former show member Bhupinder Singh Hundal expressed gratitude for his time on the program, emphasizing its role in elevating Punjabi language, culture, and community on a national scale. The cancellation follows CBC’s decision in June to discontinue broadcasting “Hockey Night in Canada” after an extensive run, citing challenges in reaching a new sublicensing agreement with Sportsnet. Additionally, Rogers Sports and Media closed Vancouver’s Sportsnet 650 sports radio station in July after ten years on air.