New TV Deal Could Leave Canadiens Fans Blacked Out

1. Hello Chris

   I was going to ask my cable provider to see if they can get me CBC Montreal or RDS. Even though I don’t speak French, I would have gladly added them. Will any or both of those channels be affected by the new deal?

   Quyannamii(Thannk You) from a Nunavut Habs fan

   • Hi Randy,

     In Nunavut, you will not be able to watch any of the games that RDS will broadcast. You will either get a blackout notice or alternate programming. It hasn’t been announced publicly which games CBC will broadcast, but if they do show any Habs games, you will be able to watch them.

     Thanks for reading!

2. HI Chris,
   I’ve been trying to figure this new Rogers deal out for a while now and I’m not quite sure what to think. In the past I have been able to get all the Habs games on RDS and even though i’m English speaking it was still nice to be able to watch the games. I live in PEI will I be affected by this or should I invest in gamecenter?

   • Hi George,

     If you want to watch all 82 games on TV, NHL Centre Ice is the way to go. Without it, you will be able to watch 32 Habs games. If you want to watch online (legally), you have the option of purchasing gamecentre. There are also sites that stream the games but those sites are usually full of popup ads.

     Hopefully this answers your question George. Let me know if you have some more.

     Thanks for reading!

   • PEI is in the Canadiens broadcast region. RDS’s Canadiens games shouldn’t be blacked out there. They’ll have all the games except the season opener, Saturday night games and the playoffs. For those games, you can either get TVA Sports or watch them on CBC, City or Sportsnet, depending on the day.

     • Hi Steve,

       If you were able to watch the TSN regional games last season,you will be able to watch the RDS games in the upcoming season. Want to make sure? Enter your postal code here: http://www.nhl.com/ice/ziplookup.htm

       Thanks for reading

3. Hi Chris,

   Thanks for the article. For Habs fans in SW Ontario, what would you recommend to get access to the most Habs game possible for this upcoming season? I’ve been stuck watching the Leafs for too many years!

   • Hi Mike,

     First of all, I feel bad that you have been forced to watch the Leafs for so long. Besides moving to Quebec, if you want to have access to all 82 games, NHL Centre Ice is the way to go. I believe it costs around $200 to purchase.

     Without it, you will only have access to 32 games.

     Let me know if you have any more questions.

     Thanks for reading!

4. Chris:

   Thanks for the article. I am originally from Mtl but move to Edmonton back in 99. I tried to go see a live game of Mtl in Mtl every year and when they come to Edmonton, I do not miss the game. Having said that, I used to program my PVR to record all the games, usually starting at 5 or 5:30 my time on RDS. My first choice is to listen to RDS but now that it will be impossible, will there be a channel that will give them all to me, like a one stop shop? You mentioned ” fans will have to spend around $200 to order NHL Centre Ice or NHL Gamecenter Live”
   Is this going to give me all the games? Not that I want to spend the $200 but as tv goes, hockey games is what I watch.
   Over the years, RDS had a lots of issues, sound being the worst one but I like the content and Pierre. as for TVA, at the moment, I just can’t stand them so if I can get the games elsewhere, I will.

   Thank you

   • I think the best way to get all the games is to a)Order center ice package OR Center Ice, and b)Get cable/sat with sportsnet package. I live in a small town in central alberta and I think it will end up costing about $130-$140 over the course of the season, but that includes additional channels that come with the cable/sat subscription. Game center will black out the same games that the center ice package does, so I wouldn’t recommend getting both. You can also circumvent this by changing the DNS server on the device you are using.

     The only games that will be locked out of center ice and gamecenter are the ones that are nationally broadcast on sportsnet and CBC (I think). So as long as you have center ice, all of the CBC channels, and all of the Sportsnet channels, you should not miss any games. Correct me if I am wrong.

     • Hi TYDOG,

       You are correct that you need centre ice, CBC, and Sportsnet to be able to watch all 82 games.

       A cable/sat subscription with Sportsnet is NOT sufficient.

       Hope this helps.

       Thanks for reading.

   • Hi Patrick,

     I am glad to hear that you still support the Canadiens even though you moved to another city with a NHL team.

     NHL CentreIce or GameCentre will only show you the 50 games that will not be broadcasted by 1 of the Rogers networks (in English) and TVA Sports (in French).

     It is as close to a 1 stop shop as you can get.

     Let me know if you have any more questions.

     Thank you for reading!

5. This is insanity!!!!!!! I don’t even speak French, but watching games on RDS is the only way to circumvent listening to the brutal CBC commentators. Plus all RDS Habs games were broadcast in HD and you never had to worry about a blackout.

   This is truly a bummer. I signed a petition somewhere, I doubt anything will come of it though.

   • Tydog, as I mentioned in the article, the blame of the petition isn’t towards the right people. The blame for the blackout rules should be pointed towards the NHL for the method that they award their TV contracts.

6. From Mark Nye (via All Habs contact form):

   I currently subscribe too NHL Centre Ice through Cogeco Cable & pay appx. $40.00 per month for Super Sports Pack; NHL Centre Ice is with-in this package.

   I have been a subscriber for many years now & I am hoping that the current Package will stay as in the past I see no reason why this should change.

   Have friends state that satellite does not offer such a good rate for Super Sports Package.
   I am contributing this info as reference to All Habs fans as $200.00 is far too pricey in my books.

   Going the route of Cable is a far better way too go I had no option years ago too subscribe too as for mentioned package & even have RDS French package as well I may even have to go out & pay for TVA French network LMAO!

   I live in St.Catharines,Ontario & I was subjected too the Leafs games since child-hood no more LOL!

   • Hi Mark,

     $40 a month for a sports package including Centre Ice sounds awesome!

     Thanks for reading

7. I live in Toronto born in Mtl, Hardcore Hab fan.
   I called Bell Fibe TV and asked what do I have to do to watch the games?
   They informed me that the games will not be blacked out on RDS. They have no knowledge of blackouts and if this was the case they would be informing subscribers of that sort of change months in advance.
   Has anybody else tried to talk with their cable provider?

   • If you live in Toronto, the RDS games will be blacked out. Enter your postal code on this link to find out which regional games you have access to: http://www.nhl.com/ice/ziplookup.htm

     Thanks for reading!

     • I read several references to TSN and SportsNets regional areas as follows…

       “The deal also applies only to ‘the team’s designated broadcast region’, the same region that the TSN Habs channel is limited to — Atlantic Canada, Quebec and eastern Ontario (going as far west as Belleville and Pembroke, so basically identical to the territory of Rogers Sportsnet East).”

       I live in Kingston and have always watched all the habs games (that i didn’t attend) on TV. According to this, I should be in the Habs region, but the gamecenter lookup you linked allocates me to the Leafs region. This is all very confusing and I just want a final answer if anyone can point me to it.

       Thanks.

       • Hi Jay,

         If you were able to watch the games on TSN Habs last season (without Centre Ice), you should be able to watch all the games this season.

8. Hello Chris, I read your circumspect comments re the #RogersPetition.

   The Rogers Petition explains clearly that Rogers is not the sole actor here, but it ‘must’ be Rogers to bring all parties together to solve the problem, as it is Rogers that control exclusively the NHL’s national broadcast rights. These parties include Bell (RDS & TSN), TVA, the NHL, and the Montreal Canadiens, itself.

   My proposal includes my proposal the parties lay down their political and corporate rivalries in the best interests of Habs fans outside Quebec and Eastern Canada, and create a nationally accessible cable Montreal Canadiens’ (Habs’) Channel, coast to coast to coast.

   We hope all Habs fans, no matter where they live in North America, and overseas, will have solidarity on this issue, and we hope this explains the Rogers Petition more clearly

   Sincere best wishes from Vancouver,
   Christopher van Dyke ( Twitter: @HabInSurrey )
   Author of The Rogers Petition

   • First, let me thank Chris for providing this update about the ramifications of the new NHL broadcast deal. It is an important issue that we have covered in a comprehensive way from the beginning as we are well aware that is a concern to so many Habs fans across the country. It is somewhat complex and it is important to report on facts without all of the emotion and hyperbole.

     Christopher, we understand your passion and we believe that your effort is well-meaning. Unfortunately, the petition is misdirected and has led to misinformation among some fans. Rogers is indeed the rights holder but it is not Rogers who established the rules of the game. The NHL requires blackouts for regional games outside the home region of each team. It has been that way for many years. And it is the Montreal Canadiens who have decided the way that they will carve up the coverage of their regional broadcasts. Rogers is required to play by established rules of the league and the team.

     Any effort to mobilize fans should first provide accurate information and secondly take the message to the decision-makers. Unfortunately your petition does neither. Perhaps that is the reason it has, so far, only attracted low-information fans and hasn’t got the traction it needs to make a difference. If you believed the speed limit should be raised on a provincial highway, would you petition the Ford Motor Company or the BC Ministry of Transportation?

     Clearly, the Montreal Canadiens are not concerned about this issue. Their focus remains, as it always has been, within their provincial border. It may even be fair to say that it doesn’t concern them that some of the dissatisfaction has been unfairly misdirected towards Rogers given that industry rival Bell holds almost a one-fifth share in the team.

     It’s naive to think that the media companies will abandon the course that keeps them afloat. And it’s downright frightening when you begin to speak about government being involved to legislate a solution on language or cultural grounds. That’s a gross abuse of government power. Let’s be clear, change will only happen if the Canadiens feel that their reputation will be impacted. And they, through the NHL, are the only body that can make the changes that you are seeking.

     • Hello Rick,

       I don’t know where to start with your negativism :) But I will begin with the bottom-line. West of Quebec, there are tens of thousands of Habs fans that are today, and come October, even more fans that are/will be frustrated, unhappy, and down-right angry about not having a complete and affordable access to their team’s games.

       Game Centre and Centre Ice will be beyond the means of a great percentage of that number. Those that can afford and do opt for those game packages will be as put-off by the homerism of non-Montreal play-by-play.

       In other words, Habs customers will not be happy, satisfied, nor have CHOICE of the PRODUCT they DESIRE.

       The Montreal Canadiens will have a very frustrated customer/fan base across Canada. Which in the long-term will wither away a significant proportion of the Habs following west of Central Ontario, because in time that following will be absorbed into other team fan bases which they can more affordably and conveniently access.

       I think Mr. Molson prefers His Habs to remain Canada’s (the World’s) most followed professional hockey team.

       From the perspective of a typical Habs fan west of Central Ontario we are, as can be measured by the Rogers Petition results so far after a month, and mostly from a single hockey blog, numbering 2,000 ‘low-informed’ Habs Fans, proving the concern is palpable.

       The numbers of ‘low-informed’ Habs fans will grow even more significantly the closer we get to October.

       The choice for we fans, do we remain silent and take it up our rear ends docilely ?, or do we object and make clear our displeasure ?

       I think I clearly have explained within the on-line premise of the Rogers Petition and subsequent explanations that Rogers is but one of the parties. yet because of the exclusive national rights agreement between itself and the NHL, it will be Rogers we will focus on. Otherwise the focus of any protest would be sloughed-off on all the moving targets.

       Yet, we are addressing all the parties above and beyond The Rogers Petition.

       The purpose of the Rogers Petition is to tell (emphatically) ALL parties, the NHL, Rogers, the Montreal Canadiens, TVA and Bell (RDS/TSN) there is a very upset customer base that believes in an era of choice and creative use of available technology, that there is no reason, except regrettable corporate rivalry and politics, for an affordable cable product of, for example, a ‘Habs Channel’, that should be created cooperatively and available across Canada.

       The Rogers Petition notes clearly this may not happen over-night. It predicts great resistance from those with vested interests. But, this is WHAT THE CUSTOMER WANTS, and what they (the retailers, Rogers, TVA and Bell) are not providing.

       As far as French-language RDS (or TVA) broadcasting their culturally and linguistically significant Montreal Canadiens unfettered to all francophones across Canada, and any future issue that is possible within the parameters of the CRTC, I am surprised you would find that problematic.

       I much prefer to make the business argument that a cable ‘Habs Channel’ in partnership between the parties is the way to go, but if that is not agreeable among the parties, the cultural, linguistic relevance to the Montreal Canadiens’s broadcasts in French across Canada is more than relevant.

       Again, kindest regards,

       Christopher van Dyke
       Author of The Rogers Petition

       • Hello Chris,

         The truth is what we pursue here, it is neither negative nor positive. Extracting the emotion and hyperbole to present facts doesn’t mean that we don’t understand the sincere passion of Canadiens fans on any issue. All Habs Hockey Magazine is clearly in touch with Habs fans. No independent site has a larger Canadiens community than we do.

         If there was any emotion at all in my reply it was simply disappointment in a lost opportunity given the misinformation in the misdirected petition. The disappointment continues as we read your most recent reply given how you chose to so wildly mischaracterized our position. The questions posed are nothing more than a false premise.

         It is quite curious to us that you have charted such a difficult path. If the information you provided was correct, you wouldn’t be experiencing the resistance that you spend so much time complaining about. And if you weren’t so consumed with railing against corporate politics, you may realize that an argument exits where business interests align (dare I say that even Rogers would support such a movement.) Lastly, with an honest focused effort, convoluted solutions demanding the strong arm of the government regulators wouldn’t be required.

         There is a genuine missed opportunity here. And that’s as much as disservice to Habs fans as is the current broadcast landscape.

         • Again, Hello ! Rick :)

           Seems we are both talking over each other’s heads.

           To me you appear more rationalizing for the protagonists than for Habs’ fans, and yourself you feel I’m being ‘dishonest and misleading’.

           Outwardly, that appears to leave us as protagonists ourselves. Yet, personally, I don’t believe it should be that way.

           We both seem to have a common opinion that the Rogers’ deal have caused Habs’ fans a great disservice by reducing access and rising the cost significantly for the average fan. Am I correct ?

           At least that seems to be what you have alluded to, though the way you express it is less than emphatic.

           You say, “The truth is what we pursue here, it is neither negative nor positive.” Indeed Rick, I have not heard you say one thing ‘positive’ yet.

           You say, ” All Habs Hockey Magazine is clearly in touch with Habs fans. No independent site has a larger Canadiens community than we do.”

           I say, I have been a Montreal Canadiens’ fan for 62 years. I’m old enough of ‘a fan’ when knee-high to a grasshopper to have watched the very first television broadcast of a hockey game and specifically a Montreal Canadiens game.

           With all due respect I have never once heard of Rick Stevens, nor have I ever visited your All Habs blog until a friend of mine told me that ‘some blog’ had mentioned my Rogers Petition in less than a favourable light.

           I visited All Habs for the first time and read Chris’ piece above and tried to clarify what the petition was about in a rational way. You responded, basically describing the Rogers Petition as misleading, naive and misdirected.

           I responded, again, to clarify your own misconceptions.

           I am an ordinary Montreal Canadiens’ fan that now lives in British Columbia. The result of change-over of NHL broadcast rights, locally, regionally and nationally are very clearly greatly reducing my ability in British Columbia to watch my team in the way I should be able to see my team, and I see clearly that the NHL’s intent, on behalf of all NHL teams, is to steer such distant access to Centre Ice and Game Centre, of which a great number of other Habs fans can not afford.

           As a west coast fan I was steamed of the results of the rights turn-over. I’m retired, so I have the time to author and sustain the Rogers Petition. Named it ‘Rogers’ only because Rogers is the flag-ship of the change-over of overall broadcast rights across Canada.

           Believe me I am also discussing this with Mr. Molson, the NHL’s Head Office in New York, TVA and Bell.

           You say, “It is quite curious to us that you have charted such a difficult path. If the information you provided was correct, you wouldn’t be experiencing the resistance that you spend so much time complaining about.”

           You do realize, do you not Rick, that the Rogers Petition is barely beyond a month old ? Because I created a petition barely a month ago, am I expecting for the NHL, the Canadiens, TVA, Bell and Rogers to set aside it’s corporate planning and schedules for me on a dime ?

           You seem very condescending of others’ intelligence and common sense Rick.

           The Rogers Petition very clearly defines our expectations this will not happen overnight and will be strongly resisted.

           The Rogers Petition though is a shot in front of their bow that Habs fans are not happy with the new restrictions of access west of Quebec, and are mad as heck.

           It is a message to all the parties to consider partnering in a national Habs Channel. That we are not satisfied with the broadcast options planned for the 2014-2015 season.

           Failing that, reconsideration to allow a French language broadcast of Montreal Canadiens’ games across Canada.

           Finally, Rick, I would like to ask you this. You, as you describe yourself as ‘the owner’ of the All Habs group of blogs, theoretically speaking on behalf of Habs fans, and your claims ‘to know all the facts’, why have you not started a petition ? Led a crusade ? Fought what you sense is wrong on this messed-up issue ?

           Instead you condescend on someone that has the guts and will to do so.

         • Hello Christopher,

           It is clear that you have the time to spend on this issue. In the kindest possible way, I will repeat once more that given the hundreds of thousands of fans affected by this issue, you would be much more successful were you to present the facts accurately and help to present the collective concern to the one body that can effect change. You have reached out to both digital and mainstream media. Most with knowledge of the situation have told you the same thing: it is not Rogers who decided to black out regional games. It is not our role to create “buzz” particularly one that is based on both a false premise and incorrect information. And you have been told that it’s not the business of government to interfere in broadcast rights for a professional hockey league.

           It is also clear that you are looking for someone to ‘beat up’ as a way of expressing your anger at the situation. It is my experience that a constructive approach is more likely to generate interest and lead to a successful resolution as is looking for ways to find alignment in the goals of all the parties.

           Chris did a great job synthesizing the issues in his piece and mentioning your petition. We have tried to provide you with information even as you criticized Chris. You have continued your unpleasantness with members of my team on Twitter and you continue to mischaracterize my words. I am confident that we have done all we can for you, and I am certain it is far more interaction than you have received elsewhere. Best wishes!

         • By the way Rick, as of tonight at 7:45 PM PST, the total of ‘non-informed’ Rogers Petition supporters has exceeded 2,000 (2,015 to be exact).

9. To Rick Stevens

   Thank you for your clarification of the broadcast rights situation and for calling out individuals that pollute and try and spread alleged misinformation. The exchanges you had above indicate a rather emotional, all over the map individual looking for his 15 minutes of fame. When he is challenged, he changes the channel and goes into attack mode. That is the classic sign of losing a debate where dealing with facts becomes problematic.

   I visit the Hockey Inside out web site once in a while. I do a quick scan to get a flavour. When I do visit, the poster above is always there and is a turn off with a never ending rant of the same thing. Gone in a heartbeat. In reality, the petition is nothing more than a joke and a farce. The petition itself explains little and is more of a rant if anything. It presents no back up documentation or confirmation of anything relating to past and future costs. From what I have seen, there are several supposed signatures with 1 name only and no addresses, contact numbers, or real signatures to make it legitimate. Far from saying this is the case, but it would be amusing to know how many are possible fakes or multiples from the same people.
   It is good that you alerted your readers.

10. @Christopher

    I appreciate the effort that you are committing to trying to resolve the situation for Habs fans outside of Quebec. I just want to clarify a statement that you made in one of your comments above “Habs fans are not happy with the new restrictions” . The restrictions aren’t new. As RDS was the national broadcaster for the last several years, they decided to broadcast the games nationally.

    Since TVA Sports is now the french language national rights holder, they have the option to broadcast to western Canada, the remaining 60 games that RDS will broadcast in Quebec. TVA has decided that this doesn’t make financial sense for them.

    The new TV deal with Rogers, has not changed the restrictions. It has just moved from the National rights from Bell Media to Rogers.

    Your name and the link to the petition was intentionally not mentioned as my intention was to inform our readers on where the “blame” should be directed too. It should be directed towards the NHL and to a certain extent the Montreal Canadiens.

    Good luck with the survey!

    • Thank you sincerely for your encouragement Chris. It is greatly appreciated. Hopefully the Rogers Petition can make an influence on all the parties concerned.

      I take it for granted you have seen the newly released TVA NHL Broadcast Schedule for 2014-2015 ?

      TVA will broadcast a total of 216 NHL games over 7 months, only 22 of those 216 games will be Habs’ game, 33 will be Bruins’ games, and 26 will be Maple Leafs’ games.

      Over a 7 month period, that, according to my math, will average less than 4 Habs broadcasts a month by a Quebec-based broadcaster (TVA).

      10 % of TVA’s 216 NHL broadcasts will be Canadiens’ games ! 15 % will be Bruins’ games; 12 % will be Toronto Maple Leafs’ games.

      Hopefully RDS and local coverage will fill-in what TVA is not providing in Montreal. It must be almost as frustrating for Habs’ fans in Quebec as it is for us out here :)

      Anyhow, Chris, thank you for your acknowledgement and good wishes. All the best.

11. I, too, am a Habs fan in Southwestern Ontario. I am furious at the fact we will be limited to a handful of games. I am a long time subscriber to RDS so I could catch every game. I agree with some of the previous posts that the Habs are going to lose fans if they don’t do something to alter the TV broadcast plans (pressure the NHL to lift blackouts; pressure Rogers to show more Habs games nationally; whatever it takes).

    I hope Mr. Molson will take this to heart and realize he may be losing a whole new generation of Habs fans.

12. One thing I found interesting about the “postal code lookup” on the NHL.com website…a number of areas have overlapping regions. I punched in some postal codes of friends elsewhere in the country. A friend in Thunder Bay is in both the Leaf and Jet regions. A friends in Halifax & Charlottetown in both the Habs & Senators regions. Interestingly enough, friends in both Montreal & Quebec City are in both the Habs & Senators regions as well.

    Why can’t Southern Ontario be in two regions as well?

    • Indeed in the Montreal area, we are in the Habs and Sens region. If Southern Ontario was in 2 regions wouldn’t they probably be in the Leafs and Sens region?

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