Media Shakeup in Vancouver

​By Andrew Phillip Chernoff | CanucksBanter

July 7, 2026

The most significant headline affecting the Canucks’ market today comes from the media landscape.

Rogers Communications has abruptly shuttered six of its radio stations across Canada, including Vancouver’s Sportsnet 650—the official radio broadcast partner of the Canucks since 2017.

Rogers Sports & Media abruptly ceased the operations, citing insurmountable macroeconomic headwinds related to declining audience metrics and deteriorating advertising revenues.

This closure deals a massive blow to the local sports broadcasting market, echoing the previous shutdown of TSN 1040 in 2021.

The closure effectively finalizes the total eradication of dedicated sports radio in British Columbia’s largest market.

Rogers Communications retains the exclusive regional television and radio rights for Canucks Sports & Entertainment (CSE) through the 2032-2033 National Hockey League (NHL) season.

Consequently, the Canucks are legally bound to Rogers, precluding a simple migration to a competitor network.

Rogers has indicated that game day radio production will go to another Rogers-owned station in the Vancouver market, likely forcing play-by-play audio onto FM music formats.

More on this major story tomorrow…

NHL 2026-27 Season Schedule Announcement Details

NHL logo featuring a black shield with silver trim and the letters 'NHL' in bold.



NEW YORK (July 7, 2026) – The National Hockey League (NHL) today detailed plans for announcing the 2026-27 season schedule.

On Wednesday, July 15, the League will unveil opening night matchups, which will be broadcast exclusively on ESPN in the U.S. and on Sportsnet in Canada.

The announcement will be made during the day, prior to the 2026 ESPY Awards (8 p.m. ET, ABC), that will feature several NHL nominees, including the 2026 Olympic Gold Medal-winning USA’s Men’s Ice Hockey team for Best Team.

Wednesday’s announcement will also detail the League’s 2026-27 signature events.

The following day, on Thursday, July 16, the complete 2026-27 NHL regular-season schedule is set to be announced at 10 a.m. PT.

Coming off the 2025-26 season that saw record-breaking viewership and attendance, the 2026-27 regular-season schedule will feature 1,344 games – 84 games per team –which includes two additional divisional games per team.

Source: NHL Public Relations

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