Changes For Hockey Night In Canada

I think that when the purchase was made for Rogers and the takeover for Hockey Night in Canada, there would  be a new format so as to take this marquis program to a new level.

It never took too much time and the announcement was made official and to no one’s surprise it involves someone in the East – ONTARIO.

George Stroumboulopoulos was announced as the new anchor for Hockey Night in Canada next season and while Coach’s Corner will continue with Ron MacLean and Don Cherry, it will be altered to fit with programming.

It’s the first major on-air personnel announcement by Rogers since they bought the NHL’s Canadian media rights for the next 12 years, which all starts next season.

The reported price paid for this was at a cost of $5.2 billion and as part of a sub-licensing deal, the CBC will continue to broadcast Hockey Night in Canada on Saturdays, with Rogers holding all editorial control of the show.

George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight, will cease production this year and will no longer be aired, with the exception of re-runs for the show.

“I knew it was the right time after 10 seasons… to change it up, so I was just looking at a couple of options,” Stroumboulopoulos said. “They said ‘Do you want to be a part of this’ and I said ‘Of course.’ But it’s only really kicked into gear the last little while.”​

Stroumboulopoulos will also host other Rogers NHL broadcasts across various platforms, along with current Sportsnet personalities Jeff Marek and Daren Millard.

Those three, along with Cherry and MacLean, were introduced at a media conference Monday at the Canadian Broadcasting Centre in Toronto, where Stroumboulopoulos recalled his days working with Marek at Toronto radio station The Fan 590 (now Sportsnet 590 The Fan).

“We agreed … that in 20 years, we’d be ready to do something like this, and I’m having this conversation 19½ years later,” Stroumboulopoulos said.

Coach’s Corner

Cherry and MacLean will continue with their popular Coach’s Corner segment, which is currently in its 28th season.

“I knew that Rogers would never mess with the greatest segment on television,” Cherry said in a release. “We’re going into our 29th season of Coach’s Corner, and we’re stronger than ever.”

During the press conference, Cherry was asked if he had any advice for Stroumboulopoulos.

“Be yourself,” Cherry said. “And don’t get fired.”

Along with Coach’s Corner, MacLean will continue to host Hockey Day In Canada, as well as Hometown Hockey Community Celebration on Sundays, Rogers announced.

“I’m thrilled about the way Rogers and Hockey Night in Canada intend to recognize the community in the new deal,” MacLean said. “Thirty-five million voices will play a part, and I’m simply honoured to be a part of the team.​”