TVA Sports and the NHL: A 12-year deal that changes the game for hockey fans

After months of uncertainty, TVA Sports has finally confirmed what's next: NHL hockey will remain widely available in French on its platforms for years to come.

Québecor has concluded a new 12-year sublicensing agreement with Rogers Communications, which will take effect starting in the 2026-2027 season and continue through 2038.

And this is not simply about maintaining the status quo. TVA Sports is getting a significant volume of games and, most importantly, more Montreal Canadiens matchups.

The network will be able to broadcast up to 350 regular season games per year on TVA Sports and TVA Sports Direct. For the Canadiens, 32 regular season games will be aired, 10 more than under the previous agreement.

In the playoffs, TVA Sports will also maintain all Canadiens playoff games in French exclusivity.

The agreement also includes francophone exclusivity for the Conference Finals and Stanley Cup Final. TVA Sports will also broadcast 6 of 8 first-round series and 3 of 4 second-round series.

Major NHL events remain within the network's purview: the Draft, All-Star Game, Winter Classics, awards ceremonies and other major events.

A deal that removes significant uncertainty

This announcement was particularly anticipated since the future of NHL francophone rights had raised questions for several months.

The sums involved are enormous. Rogers' new national agreement is valued at 11 billion dollars over 12 years. In this context, several scenarios could be considered for the francophone market, including a reduction in the number of available games or greater fragmentation of the offering.

Ultimately, that won't be the case.

With up to 350 games per season and especially 32 Canadiens games instead of 22, TVA Sports maintains a central role in broadcasting French-language hockey across the country.

The strategy will no longer rest solely on traditional television, however. TVA Sports Direct will continue to grow in importance, while illico+ will also be integrated into the broadcasting ecosystem.

Félix Séguin will still be part of it

Another element that should reassure TVA Sports regulars: Félix Séguin intends to continue the adventure.

The voice of Canadiens games said he was "delighted" with the new agreement and ready to continue describing matchups over the next 12 years.

For Rogers and the NHL, this new agreement primarily ensures strong and stable presence of professional hockey with the francophone audience.

It also extends a relationship that goes back a ways. Rogers and Québecor have been collaborating on national francophone NHL rights since 2014, the year TVA Sports became the League's exclusive French-language broadcaster.

Concretely, what changes for fans?

The main difference will be easy to notice: more Canadiens in French on TVA Sports, with 32 regular season games instead of 22.

Fans will also continue to have access to all Canadiens playoff games in French, major playoff rounds and the Stanley Cup.

TVA Sports Direct and illico+ will also play a bigger role for those who now watch their games on mobile, tablet or connected TV.

But the biggest news might simply be this: the question of NHL francophone rights is now settled through 2038.