New NHL sublicensing deal solidifies TVA Sports as premier destination for hockey in French

New NHL sublicensing deal solidifies TVA Sports as premier destination for hockey in French

MONTRÉAL, Sept. 3, 2026 /CNW/ -- Quebecor has reached a new 12-year sublicensing agreement with Rogers Communications for French-language broadcast rights to National Hockey League (NHL) games, covering the 2026-2027 through 2037-2038 seasons. The deal enables TVA Sports to build on its current role as an official French-language NHL broadcaster, ensuring continuity in its position as the premier destination for watching hockey in French in Québec and across Canada.

Quebecor is proud to offer hockey fans more NHL games during the regular season, including even more Montréal Canadiens games on TVA Sports and TVA Sports Direct. The illico+ platform will be added to the broadcasting landscape in keeping with the continued multiplication of streaming platforms.

Full details of the agreement with Rogers and the hockey content offering for fans can be found in the joint press release issued today: link.

"Premium sports content such as NHL hockey and Montréal Canadiens games is a unique vehicle for bringing together mass live audiences. It is a strategic asset that continues to grow in value in a rapidly changing media landscape. Thanks to TVA Sports' stronger financial position, largely due to the rebalancing of carriage fees, as well as the growth of TVA Sports Direct, the Montréal Canadiens' on-ice performance and Videotron's involvement through illico+, we are entering this new broadcast cycle with confidence, stability and ambition. This agreement is fully aligned with our long-term vision for sports content, which is steadily growing in appeal to advertisers. We are privileged to be a partner of our national sport and to offer our subscribers even more Habs games, in French, on domestic platforms. We also wish to acknowledge the outstanding collaboration of the Montréal Canadiens organization," said Pierre Karl Péladeau, President and CEO of Quebecor.

"As a Québec broadcaster, TVA Sports brings unique value by not only broadcasting the games but also providing year-round media and editorial coverage of NHL news," said Louis-Philippe Neveu, Vice President of Operations, News and Sports at TVA Group. "Our people are doing an outstanding job, and we're proud that our hockey content continues to reach loyal audiences on TVA Sports and TVA Sports Direct, and will reach new audiences on illico+."

Hockey: An unparalleled driver of audience engagement
NHL hockey and the Montréal Canadiens attracted 97% live viewership during the 2025-2026 regular season and the playoffs. Habs games had a market share of nearly 25% during the regular season and generated tremendous excitement during the playoffs, drawing up to two million viewers and a 50% market share, not counting viewership on TVA Sports Direct and illico+.

Our national sport on local platforms
As giant foreign platforms expand their presence in professional sports, Quebecor is reaffirming its commitment to delivering French-language sports content on local platforms, generating tangible economic benefits in Canada. Through this new agreement securing the French-language broadcast rights to NHL games, Quebecor is preserving jobs for sports journalism and television production professionals, while keeping advertising and subscription revenues in Canada's economy.

Rich and diverse programming on TVA Sports
Quebecor's newly secured French-language NHL broadcast rights complement the extensive suite of sports content on TVA Sports and TVA Sports Direct, including Major League Baseball (MLB) and the Toronto Blue Jays; combat sports from the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC); tennis including Women's Tennis Association (WTA) tournaments, the Davis Cup, the Billie Jean King Cup, the National Bank Open presented by Rogers and the Laver Cup; Quebec Student Sports Network (RSEQ) and U Sports football; FC Supra soccer; NASCAR Canada Series racing; and Eye of the Tiger (EOTTM) boxing.

The amount of the transaction will not be disclosed for reasons of business confidentiality.

About Quebecor
Quebecor, a Canadian leader in telecommunications, entertainment, news media and culture, is one of the best-performing integrated communications companies in the industry. Driven by their determination to deliver the best possible customer experience, all of Quebecor's subsidiaries and brands are differentiated by their high-quality, multiplatform, convergent products and services. 

Québec-based Quebecor (TSX: QBR.A, QBR.B) employs more than 11,000 people in Canada. 

A family business founded in 1950, Quebecor is strongly committed to the community. Every year, it actively supports more than 400 organizations in the vital fields of culture, health, education, the environment and entrepreneurship.

SOURCE Québecor Média Inc.