After 18 years on the air, the program known as “Hockey Night in Canada: Punjabi Edition” has been canceled, as announced on Friday. The Punjabi-language sports broadcast expressed that it had brought the community closer to the beloved game since its inception in 2008. Highlighting the significance of sharing stories of South Asian players and families, the show was praised for creating a truly unique space within Canadian sports, as per a statement released by the program.
Rogers Sportsnet, the national NHL rights-holder, characterized the decision to cancel the show as a challenging one. While acknowledging that the viewership levels were not strong enough to sustain the production long-term, the company emphasized the meaningful impact the broadcasts had on many Punjabi-speaking hockey enthusiasts.
Jagraj Lalli, a commentator on the show, expressed his shock upon learning about the cancellation. For Lalli, who had aspired to be part of the program since childhood, the show’s legacy of connection and diversity will endure. He vowed to uphold the show’s mission of bridging the gap between the Punjabi language, community, and North American sports.
In addition to its role in connecting families with sports, the show provided a platform for aspiring broadcasters from the Punjabi community. Lalli recounted his emotional debut on October 25, 2025, covering a Vancouver Canucks game, reflecting on the influence of his great-grandmother in nurturing his Punjabi language skills and instilling the belief that anything is possible.
Fans expressed disappointment online following the cancellation, with many fondly remembering the show’s impact. The diverse representation showcased in the program resonated with viewers, with one user highlighting the significance of seeing individuals who resembled them involved in the sport of hockey.
The cancellation of “Hockey Night in Canada: Punjabi Edition” follows CBC’s decision to end the longstanding tradition of broadcasting “Hockey Night in Canada” after failing to secure a new sublicensing agreement with Sportsnet. The closure of the show marks the end of an era in Canadian sports broadcasting.