After being on the air for 18 years, “Hockey Night in Canada: Punjabi Edition” has been canceled, the show revealed on Friday. The Punjabi-language sportscast expressed pride in bringing the community closer to the beloved game since its inception in 2008. The show highlighted the stories of South Asian players and families, creating a unique space within Canadian sports, as stated in their announcement.
Rogers Sportsnet, the national NHL rights-holder, described the cancellation as a challenging decision due to insufficient audience levels to sustain long-term production. Despite this, they acknowledged the significance of the broadcasts to many Punjabi-speaking hockey enthusiasts and expressed gratitude to the on-air team, production staff, and loyal viewers.
Jagraj Lalli, a commentator on the show, shared his shock upon hearing about the cancellation. He reflected on the show’s legacy of diversity and connection, emphasizing that its mission will endure forever. Lalli vowed to maintain the connections and ensure that the bond between the Punjabi language, community, and North American sports remains unbroken.
In addition to fostering connections with sports, Lalli highlighted the show’s role in providing representation for budding broadcasters within the Punjabi community. He recalled the emotional moment of his debut on the desk in 2025, covering a Vancouver Canucks game, and paid tribute to his great-grandmother for instilling in him a love for the Punjabi language.
Fans expressed disappointment online regarding the cancellation, with many fondly remembering the show’s impact. They highlighted the show’s significance in providing representation for the South Asian diaspora in hockey. The last season of the show recorded an average audience of 1,500 viewers, with most games attracting fewer than 1,000 viewers, according to Sportsnet.
Bhupinder Singh Hundal, a former member of the show, also shared his sentiments online, acknowledging the pivotal role of “Hockey Night Punjabi” in his career. He expressed pride in the program’s representation of Punjabi language, culture, and community on a national platform.
The cancellation follows CBC’s decision in June to discontinue broadcasting “Hockey Night in Canada” after almost a century due to the inability to reach a new sublicensing agreement with Sportsnet. Rogers Sports and Media also shut down Vancouver’s sports radio station, Sportsnet 650, after nearly a decade on the air in July.