After 18 years on the air, “Hockey Night in Canada: Punjabi Edition” has been canceled, as announced on Friday. The Punjabi-language sportscast expressed gratitude for bringing the community closer to their beloved game since its inception in 2008. The show highlighted the stories of South Asian players and families, creating a uniquely Canadian sports space.
Rogers Sportsnet, the national NHL rights-holder, termed the cancellation a “difficult decision.” While acknowledging the importance of the broadcasts to Punjabi-speaking hockey fans, they cited insufficient audience levels for sustaining long-term production.
Commentator Jagraj Lalli, who had a lifelong dream of being part of the show, expressed shock at the cancellation. Despite the show ending, he believes its mission of diversity and connection will endure. Lalli is committed to preserving the bond between the Punjabi language, community, and North American sports.
Fans lamented the cancellation online, expressing fond memories of the show. The representation it offered for Punjabi broadcasters and its significance for the South Asian diaspora were highlighted. An alumnus of the show, Bhupinder Singh Hundal, lauded its impact on his career and the broader representation of Punjabi culture on a national platform.
The cancellation of “Hockey Night in Canada: Punjabi Edition” follows CBC’s decision to end the traditional “Hockey Night in Canada” broadcast after failing to reach a new sublicensing agreement with Sportsnet. Rogers Sports and Media’s closure of Vancouver’s Sportsnet 650 radio station in July further adds to the recent changes in sports media landscape.