The Hall of Fame play‑by‑play commentator notes, “Who knows where it all goes? I’m fascinated to see what happens with the rights deals.”
Published Aug 17, 2026 • 4 minute read
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If you’re curious about how hockey broadcasts will evolve over the next few years, you’re not alone—Hall of Fame announcer Jim Hughson shares that curiosity.
Locally, Rogers Media has not yet revealed where Vancouver Canucks games will appear on the radio dial this season after discontinuing Sportsnet 650 last month. Industry observers expect sister property Jack FM to assume the broadcast duties, with Brendan Batchelor and Randip Janda continuing to provide play‑by‑play, likely accompanied by a pre‑game show.
Nationally, Hockey Night in Canada is concluding its 74‑year run on CBC this fall after the public broadcaster and Rogers failed to renew their partnership following the previous season. Rogers also terminated the Punjabi version of Hockey Night in Canada, which had aired for 18 seasons.
This upcoming season, Rogers launches a 12‑year NHL rights agreement valued at $11 billion. Last month the company announced a deal with Prime Video granting the streaming platform exclusive Canadian rights to Wednesday‑night regular‑season games, plus two first‑round and one second‑round playoff series.
Adding to the shifts, the Columbus Blue Jackets announced last month that they intend to simulcast their television broadcasts on radio beginning next season, making them the fifth NHL franchise to employ a single play‑by‑play team for both platforms.
The Canucks’ radio arrangement with Rogers extends through the 2032‑33 season and is tied to the same contract covering TV and stadium naming rights, making an immediate shift unlikely.
Nevertheless, the broader sports media landscape feels unusually fluid at present.
“Who knows where it all goes? I’m fascinated to see what happens with the rights deals,” said Hughson, a Fort St. John native who succeeded Jim Robson as the Canucks’ primary play‑by‑play voice and later worked nationally on Hockey Night in Canada over a 42‑year career.
“Sportsnet has invested heavily for the next dozen years and is not relying solely on conventional television; streaming is likely to dominate. Their partnership with Prime Video exemplifies this approach.”
“In the United States, observe the major networks—ABC, NBC, CBS. They are no longer achieving the ratings they once did and are searching for new ways to deliver their product.”
Hughson expressed that the move toward simulcasts leaves him “obviously disappointed, but not surprised.” Halving play‑by‑play staff reduces costs, and he notes the declining interest in AM radio, evident locally when Rogers cut News 1130 as well as Sportsnet.
“It’s disheartening to see so many league jobs vanish because there is no venue for a verbal broadcast,” explained Hughson, who received the Hockey Hall of Fame’s Foster Hewitt Memorial Award in 2019 for his broadcasting contributions. “Everything has shifted to video, which is disappointing, though I could have anticipated this trend.”
“For someone of my generation, it’s especially poignant, having experienced radio’s golden era in this market. I’m not certain people recognize how vital radio was to the NHL’s early development here, given the scarcity of television at the time. The team frequently traveled to the Eastern Time Zone, providing a captive afternoon and drive‑time audience that could only follow the action via radio.”
Delivering a game narrative to both television and radio audiences simultaneously presents clear challenges. When asked about the essentials for success, Hughson bluntly replied, “Most people don’t even try.”
“Your primary responsibility is television, where the majority of the audience resides,” Hughson continued. “Radio play‑by‑play is secondary; were I in that role, I would not devote much attention to it.”
“I expect that pattern to persist. In earlier simulcast efforts, announcers worked hard to give radio listeners the sensation of being present, avoiding references to replays as if they could see them. Those practices have largely faded.”
Hughson anticipates that NHL teams will eventually assume control of their own broadcasts, managing production internally. This shift moved forward last month when NHL Productions announced it would provide “centralized production services” for regional broadcasts of the Blue Jackets, Minnesota Wild, St. Louis Blues, and Carolina Hurricanes in the coming season.
Echoing Hughson’s observation, the Hurricanes indicated they plan to launch their own network, overseeing production, distribution, sales, and marketing after Main Street Sports Group ceased operations last spring.
“No entity is currently attracting NHL teams into television agreements,” Hughson remarked. “Clubs will handle broadcasts themselves, delivering a credible, high‑quality product if they can secure viable revenue streams. Teams will participate, but they must achieve a return on investment.”
“Should they fail to secure a partnership, the games will stream directly—much like feeding a parking meter: you pay the fee and watch the contest that evening.”
Hughson retired shortly before the 2021‑22 season and was inducted into the B.C. Sports Hall of Fame in 2025.
