After 18 years on the air, “Hockey Night in Canada: Punjabi Edition” has been canceled, as announced on Friday. The Punjabi-language sports broadcast expressed how the show had brought the community closer to their beloved game since its inception in 2008. It highlighted the stories of South Asian players and families, providing a unique space in Canadian sports. Rogers Sportsnet, the national NHL rights-holder, described the cancellation as a challenging decision due to audience levels not being sustainable long-term.
Jagraj Lalli, a commentator on the show, shared his shock upon learning about the cancellation. He reflected on the show’s impact over 18 years and emphasized that its mission of connection and diversity would endure. Lalli pledged to maintain the bond between the Punjabi language, community, and North American sports.
Besides fostering a connection between families and sports, the show also served as a platform for upcoming broadcasters within the Punjabi community. Lalli recounted his emotional debut covering a Vancouver Canucks game in 2025, where he honored his family and heritage through his work.
Fans expressed their disappointment online about the cancellation, recalling the show fondly for its representation and inclusivity. Despite the cancellation, the legacy of “Hockey Night in Canada: Punjabi Edition” will be remembered by many. The show’s last season had an average audience of just 1,500 viewers, with most games drawing fewer than 1,000 viewers.
Former show member Bhupinder Singh Hundal also shared his sentiments online, acknowledging the significance of the program in promoting Punjabi language, culture, and community on a national platform. The cancellation follows CBC’s decision to stop broadcasting “Hockey Night in Canada” after nearly a century due to a sublicensing agreement issue with Sportsnet. Rogers Sports and Media also shut down Vancouver’s Sportsnet 650 radio station in July after a decade on the air.