How To Watch Hockey Night in Canada Without Cable

There are few cultural touchstones in Canada as enduring as the phrase “It’s Saturday night, and it’s time for Hockey Night in Canada!” This iconic program, often abbreviated as HNiC, has been a weekend tradition for generations of Canadians, with roots tracing back to radio broadcasts in the 1920s and its television debut in 1952.

The program is the premier showcase for the National Hockey League (NHL) in Canada, featuring the league’s biggest matchups and all seven Canadian teams—the Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, Ottawa Senators, Winnipeg Jets, Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, and Vancouver Canucks.

For decades, HNiC was exclusively broadcast by CBC, making it accessible to virtually every Canadian household. But following Rogers Media’s acquisition of exclusive national NHL rights starting in the 2014–2015 season, the landscape shifted dramatically. While the Hockey Night in Canada brand still appears on CBC on Saturday nights, the overall broadcasting has become a complex cross-licensing arrangement involving multiple channels owned by Rogers, including Sportsnet.

This shift is what makes watching HNiC without cable so confusing. The games are spread across different platforms, and seeing them requires knowing exactly which service to use. Fortunately, I’ve already done the homework for you. Whether you’re looking for a paid, comprehensive streaming option or a free-to-watch game each week, I’ll show you that cutting the cord is easier than you think.

Jump to:

• Hockey Night in Canada TV schedule
• Best Hockey Night in Canada TV plans
• Watch Hockey Night in Canada for free

What channels show Hockey Night in Canada?

You can watch Hockey Night in Canada games across three main channels: CBC, Citytv, and Sportsnet. As a fan, I always go to CBC first, as it airs the main Saturday night doubleheader (starting at 7:00 p.m. ET).

It’s best to think of Citytv and Sportsnet as the “alternate” channels. Depending on your region, they will often air a simulcast of the same game that’s on CBC or broadcast a different NHL matchup entirely. I’ve also seen FX used as an overflow channel in the past, but that’s a rare occurrence.

2025–2026 Hockey Night in Canada TV schedule

Hockey Night in Canada airs every Saturday evening during the NHL regular season, starting around October and running through the Stanley Cup Playoffs in the spring.

The program is built around two primary time slots. The early game (starting at 7:00 p.m. ET) typically features Eastern Canadian teams, while the late game (around 10:00 p.m. ET) showcases Western Canadian teams. For the full experience, I enjoy catching the Hockey Central pre-game show at 6:30 p.m. ET and sticking around for the popular After Hours post-game show.

To help you plan your Saturday nights, I’ve compiled the complete 2025–2026 HNiC schedule for you in the table below. This focuses on the core CBC doubleheaders you’ll see during the regular season.

Data effective as of post date.

Best TV plans for watching Hockey Night in Canada

As a cord-cutter, your best streaming option depends on your level of NHL fandom. Are you a casual viewer who just wants the free, traditional Hockey Night in Canada broadcast on CBC? Or are you a die-hard fan who needs every NHL game, including all the out-of-market matchups? Here are my recommendations for the two best streaming options for both types of fans.

• For casual fans: CBC Gem is your quick, easy, and free option. If you’re a traditionalist who just wants the main national HNiC doubleheader, the free CBC Gem app is fantastic. It gives you the live CBC feed (with ads) after you sign up for a free account. The obvious con is that you only get the games that air on CBC, missing all the other Saturday night action.
• For die-hard fans: Sportsnet+ Premium is the “all-in-one” solution and, in my opinion, the single best streaming product for serious Canadian hockey fans. I love this tier because it’s the only subscription that gets you the entire HNiC lineup plus over 1,000 out-of-market NHL games. At $42.99 per month, the premium plan is super expensive, but if you want every game without blackouts, this is your top option.

Finally, don’t overlook streaming via traditional TV providers. Services like the Bell Fibe TV app or Telus Optik TV often let you add Sportsnet channels as a flexible, month-to-month add-on. This is a great way to get wider coverage without a long-term contract, but I’d still check your specific provider to see which channels require a premium sports tier.

How to watch Hockey Night in Canada for free

You can absolutely watch Hockey Night in Canada for free every Saturday night, thanks to the continued broadcast agreement with the CBC.

My preferred free method is CBC Gem, the network’s digital streaming platform. A free account will get you all the HNiC games that air on your local CBC channel. Alternatively, you can pick up your local CBC station with a digital TV antenna. While this option only works if you’re near a CBC broadcast tower, it’s a great way to access games in high definition without a TV subscription.

Of course, you also can’t go wrong with heading to your local sports bar. I can guarantee you Hockey Night in Canada will be on the big screen.

How to watch Hockey Night in Canada FAQ