Canadian sports enthusiasts are criticizing Sportsnet following the announcement of a substantial increase in prices for its streaming service before the upcoming hockey season. The media outlet, a subsidiary of Rogers Sports & Media, disclosed in an email to subscribers that the annual fee for its Sportsnet+ premium package will surge by 30%, from $249.99 to $324.99 plus tax, while the standard package will see a 25% rise from $199.99 to $249.99. These adjustments will become effective on September 9.
Jason Pike, a resident of Halifax and host of a Boston Bruins fan podcast, expressed shock upon noticing the price hike, prompting him to promptly cancel his subscription. He mentioned, “When I saw the numbers, my jaw dropped. I looked at my wife and said, ‘Sportsnet’s going up 80 bucks.’ I was absolutely flabbergasted. I couldn’t believe it.” Many customers have taken to social media to voice their dissatisfaction.
Pike highlighted his usage of Sportsnet primarily for streaming hockey games and his preference for the now-discontinued NHL Live streaming service due to its affordability. Sportsnet stands as the sole streaming platform offering a wide array of NHL games throughout the regular season and playoffs. The standard package includes national and regional in-market games, while the premium package offers access to around 1,000 games from other markets.
Considering the impending price hike, Pike mentioned that he will explore alternative methods to watch the forthcoming season. He acknowledged the existence of unauthorized streaming sites but emphasized the diminishing options for legitimate access.
Apart from hockey, the Sportsnet service covers various other sporting events such as NBA games, UFC cards, and Toronto Blue Jays baseball matches. Former customer Austin Harrison from Red Deer, Alta., who features Edmonton Oilers content on his YouTube channel, ridiculed the price increase and swiftly terminated his subscription. Harrison criticized the perceived monopoly Rogers holds over hockey coverage in Canada and vowed to find alternative ways to watch games in the upcoming season.
Harrison noted that the initial price was already high, but he accepted it due to his Oilers content creation. He experienced several issues with the streaming service, including lagging and freezing, and stressed the importance of service enhancements to justify the price increment, asserting that he has no intention of resubscribing.
Rogers Sports and Media did not provide a specific rationale for the price adjustment. However, a spokesperson stated, “Sportsnet+ is the most comprehensive live sports streaming experience in Canada. This update reflects that great value for sports fans looking for the best sports content in the country while remaining competitively priced with other options in the market.”
Monthly rates for the premium package will escalate from $34.99 to $42.99 plus tax, while the standard package will rise from $24.99 to $29.99 monthly. This price revision follows Rogers’ acquisition of the rights in April to broadcast NHL games across Canada for the next 12 years at a cost of $11 billion. The previous deal, costing $5.2 billion for the same duration, expires at the conclusion of the 2025-26 hockey season.
