The long-running program, “Hockey Night in Canada: Punjabi Edition,” has been axed after being on the air for 18 years, the show announced on Friday. The Punjabi-language sports broadcast expressed gratitude for bringing the community closer to their beloved game since its inception in 2008. It highlighted the show’s unique role in sharing the stories of South Asian players and families within the Canadian sports landscape.
Rogers Sportsnet, the national broadcaster for NHL games, acknowledged the cancellation as a challenging choice. Although the viewership did not meet sustainable levels for continued production, the company recognized the significance of the broadcasts to many Punjabi-speaking hockey enthusiasts.
Jagraj Lalli, a commentator on the show, expressed shock at the news of its cancellation. He emphasized the lasting impact of the show’s mission, emphasizing that the connections and diversity it fostered will endure. Lalli vowed to uphold the legacy by ensuring the bond between the Punjabi language, community, and North American sports remains unbroken.
In addition to fostering sports enthusiasm within families, Lalli noted that the program provided a platform for aspiring broadcasters from the Punjabi community. He reminisced about his emotional debut covering a Vancouver Canucks game in 2025, reflecting on the influence of his great-grandmother in nurturing his Punjabi heritage.
Fans of the show lamented the cancellation online, with many expressing fond memories and appreciation for the representation it offered. Despite its final season averaging 1,500 viewers per episode, with most games attracting fewer than 1,000 viewers, the show’s impact on the community was profound.
Former members of the program also shared their sentiments, with Bhupinder Singh Hundal highlighting the show’s role in advancing his career and promoting Punjabi language and culture on a national platform. The cancellation follows CBC’s decision to end its broadcast of “Hockey Night in Canada” after failing to secure a new sublicensing agreement with Sportsnet, marking the end of a broadcasting era that spanned nearly a century.
