“Hockey Night in Canada: Punjabi Edition” has been canceled after airing for 18 years, as confirmed by the show on Friday. The Punjabi-language sports broadcast expressed that it had brought the community closer to their beloved game since its inception in 2008. The show was acknowledged for sharing stories of South Asian players and families, creating a unique space in Canadian sports. Gratitude was extended to viewers for their unwavering loyalty, and the team behind the show felt incredibly proud of their collective achievements.
Rogers Sportsnet, the national NHL rights-holder, described the decision to cancel the show as challenging. While acknowledging that the audience numbers were not sufficient to sustain long-term production, the company recognized the significant impact the broadcasts had on many Punjabi-speaking hockey enthusiasts. They expressed gratitude to the on-air team, production crew, and viewers for their support throughout the years.
Commentator Jagraj Lalli, who had been part of the show since the fall, expressed shock at the news of the cancellation on Friday. Despite the show ending, Lalli emphasized that the mission and the connections fostered by the show over its 18-year run would endure indefinitely. He pledged to keep the community connected and ensure that the bond between the Punjabi language, culture, and North American sports remains unbroken.
Fans expressed disappointment online over the cancellation, with many reminiscing fondly about the show’s impact. The representation provided by the show for aspiring Punjabi broadcasters was also highlighted, with Lalli sharing his emotional debut experience covering a Vancouver Canucks game in 2025. The sentiment of loss and appreciation for the show’s influence on the South Asian diaspora were echoed by fans online.
Reflecting on the cancellation, an alumnus of the show, Bhupinder Singh Hundal, expressed gratitude for the opportunities and impact that “Hockey Night Punjabi” had on his career. The program was praised for providing a platform for Punjabi language, culture, and community on a national scale, alongside Canada’s favorite game.
The cancellation of “Hockey Night in Canada: Punjabi Edition” follows CBC’s decision in June to cease broadcasting “Hockey Night in Canada” after almost a century due to the inability to reach a new sublicensing agreement with Sportsnet. Additionally, Rogers Sports and Media shut down Vancouver’s sports radio station, Sportsnet 650, in July after nearly ten years on the air.
