After an 18-year run, “Hockey Night in Canada: Punjabi Edition” has been canceled, the show announced on Friday. The Punjabi-language sportscast expressed gratitude for bringing the South Asian community closer to the sport since its inception in 2008, showcasing stories of players and families. Rogers Sportsnet, the national NHL rights-holder, described the cancellation as a tough decision, citing insufficient audience levels for long-term sustainability.
Commentator Jagraj Lalli, who had dreamt of being part of the show since childhood, expressed shock at the cancellation. He emphasized that despite the show ending, its legacy of diversity and connection will endure. Lalli vowed to maintain the bond between the Punjabi language, community, and North American sports.
In addition to fostering a sports connection for families, Lalli highlighted the show’s role in providing representation for aspiring Punjabi broadcasters. Fans took to social media to express disappointment over the cancellation, reminiscing about the show’s impact on the South Asian diaspora in hockey.
The last season of the show saw an average audience of 1,500 viewers, with most games attracting fewer than 1,000 viewers. Former show member Bhupinder Singh Hundal praised the program’s role in promoting Punjabi language, culture, and community on a national platform.
The cancellation follows CBC’s decision to stop airing “Hockey Night in Canada” after almost a century due to failed sublicensing negotiations with Sportsnet. Rogers Sports and Media also shut down Vancouver’s Sportsnet 650 radio station after nearly ten years on the air in July.