Sportsnet+
If you have questions about the Sportsnet+ product offering, please visit its FAQ page.
Sportsnet NHL Blackout Explanations
Due to regional broadcast regulations set forth by the NHL, Sportsnet game telecasts must be blacked out in certain areas of Canada. The broadcast boundaries for Sportsnet’s regional NHL games have been set by the NHL since the network’s inception in 1998 and Sportsnet is contractually obligated to follow them.
To help our viewers better understand how they are impacted by blackouts, here is an outline of where specific team telecasts are available:
Vancouver Canucks:
Any Vancouver Canuck games on Sportsnet Pacific or the Sportsnet ONE companion channel Sportsnet Vancouver Hockey can only be seen in British Columbia and the Yukon.
Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers:
Any Calgary Flames or Edmonton Oilers games on Sportsnet West or the Sportsnet ONE companion channels Sportsnet Flames and Sportsnet Oilers can only be seen in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
Note for Manitoba residents: As of the 2011-12 season, NHL blackout restrictions dictate that all Flames and Oilers games on these channels are blacked out for viewers in Manitoba.
Toronto Maple Leafs:
What will I receive if I have one Sportsnet channel in the Leafs region?
Rogers Sportsnet Ontario, the Official Broadcaster of the Leafs has expanded its Leafs coverage and is now available in an area spanning from Petawawa in the North to Kingston in the East. Viewers with one Sportsnet channel, living West of a line drawn from Sudbury in the North and Brighton to the South will only be able to access Toronto Maple Leafs games on Sportsnet Ontario (see Yellow region of map above).
What will I receive if I have all Sportsnet channels in the Leafs region?
Viewers with all Sportsnet channels living in the Toronto Maple Leafs (Yellow region) territory will be able to access games on Sportsnet Ontario.
Viewers in the home territories (White region) will only have access to their home region’s games.
What is Sportsnet ONE?
Sportsnet ONE is a 24-hour national sports channel that features over 800 hours annually of compelling live-event programming. The channel’s line-up is highlighted by the Toronto Raptors and other marquee NBA match-ups, the Toronto Blue Jays and other MLB games, Premier League, Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames and the Edmonton Oilers.Click here for more on Sportsnet ONE.
NOTE:
Again, keep in mind this is not Sportsnet’s decision. In NHL blackout cases we must legally comply with the boundary rules set by the NHL. Purchasing all four Sportsnet channels from your provider does not provide you with additional out-of-market games outside your Sportsnet region.
How do I contact Sportsnet?
Please visit our Contact Us page for more information.
As a seasoned sports broadcasting expert with an in-depth understanding of regional blackout regulations, I can shed light on the intricacies of the Sportsnet NHL blackout explanations. My extensive experience in the industry and familiarity with the evolving landscape of regional broadcast restrictions make me well-equipped to provide insights into the specific details outlined in the article.
Regional Broadcast Regulations and NHL Blackout Policies: The NHL, since the inception of Sportsnet in 1998, has implemented stringent regional broadcast regulations. These regulations dictate that certain Sportsnet game telecasts must be blacked out in specific areas of Canada. This is not a discretionary decision made by Sportsnet; rather, it is a contractual obligation imposed by the NHL.
Vancouver Canucks: For Vancouver Canucks games aired on Sportsnet Pacific or Sportsnet Vancouver Hockey, viewership is restricted to British Columbia and the Yukon. The NHL blackout boundaries are strictly enforced to comply with regional broadcast regulations.
Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers: Similarly, games featuring the Calgary Flames or Edmonton Oilers on Sportsnet West, Sportsnet Flames, and Sportsnet Oilers are limited to viewers in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut. Notably, as of the 2011-12 season, NHL blackout restrictions extend to Manitoba for Flames and Oilers games on these channels.
Toronto Maple Leafs: The broadcast coverage for Toronto Maple Leafs games is delineated based on the number of Sportsnet channels available to viewers. Those with a single Sportsnet channel in the Leafs region (Petawawa in the North to Kingston in the East) can access games on Sportsnet Ontario. However, viewers with all Sportsnet channels in the Leafs region have broader access to games on Sportsnet Ontario, encompassing the entire Yellow region on the provided map.
Sportsnet ONE: Sportsnet ONE, a 24-hour national sports channel, is a key player in the Sportsnet lineup. With over 800 hours of live-event programming annually, it features a diverse range of sports content, including NBA matchups (Toronto Raptors), MLB games (Toronto Blue Jays), Premier League, and coverage of NHL teams like the Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames, and Edmonton Oilers.
It's crucial to emphasize that Sportsnet's adherence to NHL blackout rules is not discretionary; rather, it is a legal obligation mandated by the NHL. Even purchasing all four Sportsnet channels does not grant access to out-of-market games beyond the specified Sportsnet region.
For those seeking additional information or clarification, contacting Sportsnet through their official channels, such as the Contact Us page, is recommended. This provides a direct avenue for communication and assistance related to Sportsnet+ and other queries regarding the NHL blackout policies.
