Hockey game broadcast times

[Biker mad]

Why do i have to finish the hockey games in the east before the hockey game i pay to see starts in the middle of the 1st?

[dks · Accepted solution]

Thank you for your question. The issue you raise is not within the control of Bell but of the NHL. You should contact them directly with your concern. 

[WelshTerrier · Accepted solution]

Good Day & Welcome to the Bell Community Forum.

That is a very good question. Unfortunately that is not necessarily within the control of the network that is broadcasting the game. E.g. TSN, Sportsnet, etc. There are national & regional games that have broadcasting / viewing rules & restrictions that must be followed. 

The current NHL national television and digital rights holder for Canada is Rogers Communications, under a 12-year deal

Games that are not broadcast as part of the national rights deal are broadcast by Sportsnet's regional feeds (though some regional broadcasts may air nationally due to Sportsnet's current status as the NHL's Canadian national TV partner), TSN's regional feeds, and RDS.

Sportsnet and TSN split holds on regional rights to the Toronto Maple Leafs; Sportsnet holds regional rights to the Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, and Vancouver Canucks, while TSN holds rights to the Montreal Canadians (English only), Ottawa Senators and Winnipeg Jets. RDS holds regional French-language rights to the Canadiens and Senators.

Thank you for posting your question.

Take care.