Sportsnet unveils newly named show to replace Hockey Night in Canada
It may look and feel like Hockey Night in Canada, but it won’t be called that.
Sportsnet has unveiled its plans for a newly named show, Saturday Night Hockey, which will effectively replace Hockey Night in Canada next season.
After weeks of speculation, Sportsnet also confirmed that Elliotte Friedman and Kevin Bieksa will be back with the network. They’ll feature on a panel hosted by Ron MacLean, alongside Colby Armstrong, for Saturday night doubleheaders.
Elliotte Friedman will be back. (Sportsnet)
“Saturday Night Hockey will put Canadian teams front-and-centre, where the compelling games and world’s best players will be the focus of the show, with a studio team that brings unmatched personality and unique perspectives,” Sportsnet president Greg Sansone said in a media release.
In a media release, Sportsnet trumpeted that it is delivering its “biggest hockey season ever,” with 550+ games and 150 regional blackouts lifted.
“Sportsnet will showcase more games than ever before with 35 per cent more national broadcasts than last year and fewer blackouts, giving fans unprecedented access to the NHL’s biggest stars and best moments,” Sansone said.
But not all of those games will be available via traditional television.
Also new to Sportsnet next season is Monday Night Hockey, which will be streamed exclusively via Sportsnet+. The weekly show will be hosted by David Amber, alongside Luke Gazdic and Justin Williams.
This is in addition to Wednesday Night Hockey being streamed exclusively via Amazon’s Prime Video.
While Sportsnet+ is going up in price for a second consecutive year, it is available for free for everyone who already subscribes to Sportsnet on television. But Monday Night Hockey will cost extra.
“Fans who currently subscribe to Sportsnet through a TV provider can access Monday Night Hockey and more than 100 additional US team matchups by signing into Sportsnet+ with their TV provider credentials and upgrading to add this content for $12.99/month,” Sportsnet said in a press release. “The add-on package for TV subscribers will be available for purchase beginning on Sept. 15.”