Story Summary
Rogers Communications and Quebecor have reached a 12-year sublicensing agreement that gives Quebecor the French-language national broadcast rights for NHL games starting with the 2026-27 season. TVA Sports and TVA Sports Direct – with the illico+ platform joining the distribution ecosystem – will carry up to 350 regular-season games per season. The deal specifically includes 32 Montréal Canadiens regular-season games and all Montréal Canadiens games in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and expands TVA Sports’ playoff coverage to include six of eight First Round series, three of four Second Round series, the Conference Finals and the Stanley Cup Final.
Key Facts
- Rogers Communications and Quebecor agreed a 12-year sublicensing deal for French-language national NHL games beginning with the 2026-27 season.
- TVA Sports and TVA Sports Direct will distribute all games covered by the new agreement; the illico+ platform will join the broadcast ecosystem.
- Quebecor will hold the French broadcasting rights for up to 350 regular-season NHL games per season.
- The agreement includes 32 Montréal Canadiens regular-season games and all Montréal Canadiens games in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
- The new deal provides 10 more regular-season Montréal Canadiens games than under the previous agreement.
- Playoff coverage under the agreement includes six of the eight First Round series, three of the four Second Round series, the Conference Finals and the Stanley Cup Final.
- The expanded arrangement covers all NHL tentpole events.
- Rogers and the NHL previously announced a 12-year national media-rights agreement running from the 2026-27 through the 2037-38 seasons.
IHM Discussion
The agreement formalises a long-term French-language national broadcast relationship that extends TVA Sports’ regular-season and playoff coverage. By securing rights to up to 350 regular-season games each year, Quebecor will offer a broad French-language NHL slate for the next 12 seasons. The inclusion of 32 Montréal Canadiens regular-season games – 10 more than under the prior deal – alongside all Canadiens playoff games gives viewers a consistent destination for major Canadiens coverage.
The addition of illico+ reflects the multi-platform structure of modern national rights deals, alongside TVA Sports and TVA Sports Direct. The agreement sits within Rogers’ wider 12-year national media-rights pact with the NHL, running from 2026-27 through 2037-38.
Why It Matters
For French-speaking Canadian viewers, particularly Montréal Canadiens fans, the deal sets out expanded access to NHL games in French across TVA Sports, TVA Sports Direct and illico+. The 32 Canadiens regular-season games and all of the club’s playoff games provide a defined French-language offering, while the 12-year term gives broadcasters, advertisers and the league a long planning horizon.
IHM Market Outlook
The sublicence gives Quebecor a broad French-language NHL schedule, with up to 350 regular-season games and expanded playoff coverage. The additional 10 Montréal Canadiens regular-season games add to TVA Sports’ offering for viewers and advertisers. For Rogers, the arrangement continues its French-language distribution partnership with Quebecor within its national NHL rights agreement.
Mini Q&A
Who signed the new French-language sublicensing agreement?
Rogers Communications and Quebecor agreed the 12-year sublicensing deal; TVA Sports and TVA Sports Direct will distribute the games.
When does the deal begin?
The agreement begins with the 2026-27 NHL season.
How many regular-season games will Quebecor have rights to each season?
Quebecor will hold the French broadcasting rights for up to 350 regular-season NHL games per season.
How does the deal affect coverage of the Montréal Canadiens?
The agreement includes 32 Montréal Canadiens regular-season games per season and all Montréal Canadiens games in the Stanley Cup Playoffs; it also represents 10 more Canadiens regular-season games than under the previous arrangement.
What playoff series and events are included in the sublicence?
Under the deal, TVA Sports’ coverage includes six of the eight First Round series, three of the four Second Round series, the Conference Finals and the Stanley Cup Final, as well as all NHL tentpole events.
How does this relate to Rogers’ rights deal with the NHL?
The sublicence sits within Rogers’ broader 12-year national media-rights agreement with the NHL, which runs from the 2026-27 through the 2037-38 seasons.
What Comes Next
The agreement takes effect beginning with the 2026-27 NHL season. Implementation will include TVA Sports, TVA Sports Direct and the illico+ platform carrying the slate of games listed under the deal for that season and beyond. The deal exists inside the broader Rogers – NHL 12-year national-rights agreement that runs from the 2026-27 through the 2037-38 seasons.
IHM Final View
This 12-year sublicensing deal gives TVA Sports, TVA Sports Direct and illico+ a significant French-language NHL offering, including 32 Montréal Canadiens regular-season games and all Canadiens playoff games. The agreement provides a long-term distribution framework for French-language NHL coverage across television and streaming platforms.