Rogers and Quebecor Agree to New 12-Year Sublicensing Deal for National NHL Games in French
Rogers and Quebecor extend their NHL relationship with a 12-year French-language sublicensing deal that expands TVA Sports’ Canadiens and playoff coverage.
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Rhea-AI Summary
Rogers Communications (RCI) and Quebecor have signed a new 12-year sublicensing agreement for French-language national NHL games starting in the 2026-27 season.
TVA Sports, TVA Sports Direct and illico+ will broadcast up to 350 regular-season NHL games per year, including 32 Montréal Canadiens regular-season games and all Canadiens playoff games. The deal adds 10 more regular-season Canadiens games than before and covers most early playoff rounds, the Conference Finals, Stanley Cup Final and all NHL tentpole events. The agreement follows Rogers’ 12-year national NHL media rights deal announced last year.
Positive
- 12-year French sublicensing agreement between Rogers and Quebecor starting 2026-27, providing long-term content visibility.
- Up to 350 regular-season NHL games per season in French, including 32 Montréal Canadiens regular-season games.
- Expanded Canadiens content with 10 more regular-season games than the prior agreement, plus all Montréal Canadiens playoff games.
- Broad rights package including most early playoff rounds, Conference Finals, Stanley Cup Final and all NHL tentpole events.
Negative
- None.
Details
News Market Reaction – RCI
On Sep 4, the first trading day after this news, RCI closed 1.26% below the previous close.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus for the Sep 4 session.
Key Figures
- Agreement Term
- 12 years
- French-language national NHL games
- Start Season
- 2026-27
- Beginning of new sublicensing agreement
- Regular-Season Games
- up to 350 games
- Per season under the agreement
- Canadiens Regular-Season Games
- 32 games
- Included each regular season
- Additional Canadiens Games
- 10 more games
- Compared with the previous agreement
- First Round Series
- 6 of 8 series
- Stanley Cup Playoffs rights
- Second Round Series
- 3 of 4 series
- Stanley Cup Playoffs rights
Historical Context
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Prime Video received exclusive national NHL windows and select playoff rights.
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Quarterly dividend declaration preceded a negative 24-hour price reaction for Rogers.
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Reported Q2 results included a net loss and reaffirmed full-year outlook.
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Agreement added Rogers' remaining 25% MLSE stake for C$4.35 billion.
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Scheduled Q2 results teleconference and release timing were announced ahead of earnings.
24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.
Key Terms
sublicensing agreement financial
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
TVA Sports to broadcast up to 350 regular-season NHL games
Montréal Canadiens: 32 regular-season games and exclusive rights to Stanley Cup Playoffs games in French
TORONTO, Sept. 03, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rogers Communications and Quebecor today announced a new 12-year sublicensing agreement for French-language national NHL games, beginning with the 2026-27 season. As an official French-language NHL broadcaster, TVA Sports and TVA Sports Direct will distribute all games covered by the new agreement, with the illico+ platform joining the broadcast ecosystem.
Starting with the 2026-27 season, Quebecor will hold the French broadcasting rights for up to 350 regular season NHL games per season, including 32 Montréal Canadiens regular-season games and all Montréal Canadiens games in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. This includes 10 more regular-season Montréal games than under the previous agreement; six of the eight First Round series of the Stanley Cup Playoffs; three of the four Second Round series; the Conference Finals and Stanley Cup Final; and all NHL tentpole events.
"Quebecor's executive leadership and Board of Directors are proud to carry on a long-standing tradition that brings together French-speaking Canadians around the NHL and the Montréal Canadiens," said Pierre Karl Péladeau, President and Chief Executive Officer of Quebecor, also thanking the League and Rogers for recognizing what we have been building together since 2014. "Premium sports content, such as NHL hockey and Montréal Canadiens games, remains a unique driver for rallying audiences in real time. We consider ourselves fortunate to be a partner in our national sport and to offer French-speaking Canadians even more Habs games on our local platforms. We are also grateful for the close collaboration of the Montréal Canadiens organization.”
"For Rogers, ensuring hockey fans have comprehensive French-language coverage of NHL games is a top priority,” said Tony Staffieri, President and CEO, Rogers. “We have had a terrific partnership with TVA Sports for many years, and we look forward to continuing to work together to deliver more NHL games to more French-speaking Quebecers and Canadians.”
“For the past 12 seasons, TVA Sports’ French-language broadcasts have connected our game with millions of passionate hockey fans across Quebec and Canada,” said Gary Bettman, Commissioner, NHL. “Our expanded partnership with Rogers and Quebecor reflects our shared commitment to serving fans, growing the game, and ensuring that hockey’s biggest moments are available to all audiences.”
Last year, Rogers and the NHL announced a 12-year agreement for the national media rights to NHL games on all platforms in Canada, from the 2026-27 through the 2037-38 seasons.
About Rogers Communications Inc.
Rogers is Canada’s communications, sports and entertainment company, and its shares are publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: RCI.A and RCI.B) and on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: RCI). For more information, please visit rogers.com or investors.rogers.com.
About Quebecor
Quebecor, a Canadian leader in telecommunications, entertainment, news media and culture, is one of the best-performing integrated communications companies in the industry. Driven by their determination to deliver the best possible customer experience, all of Quebecor’s subsidiaries and brands are differentiated by their high-quality, multiplatform, convergent products and services.
Québec-based Quebecor (TSX: QBR.A, QBR.B) employs more than 11,000 people in Canada.
A family business founded in 1950, Quebecor is strongly committed to the community. Every year, it actively supports more than 400 organizations in the vital fields of culture, health, education, the environment and entrepreneurship.
Media Contacts:
Rogers, media@rci.rogers.com
Quebecor, media@quebecor.com
NHL, Jennifer Neziol, jneziol@nhl.com
FAQ
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