Rivals say Rogers' Monday hockey fee breaks merger terms

BNN Bloomberg reported that rivals Cogeco, Eastlink and SaskTel have complained to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), which regulates broadcasting and telecommunications. They say Rogers, a telecommunications company, is making fans pay $12.99 a month extra for Monday night hockey unless they already subscribe to Sportsnet on Rogers TV or to Sportsnet Plus. They also allege the move breaks conditions of Rogers’ 2023 merger with Shaw.

The fee follows Rogers’ September announcement that Monday night NHL games would stream exclusively on its own platform this season, a first. The CRTC approved the $26-billion Shaw takeover subject to requirements that Rogers preserve competitive market dynamics. Rogers also committed, under that approval, not to enter exclusive distribution deals for online programming.

The three rivals want the CRTC to order Rogers to offer the Monday content to independent distributors immediately, for free. Sportsnet spokesperson Jason Jackson said all TV providers, including the three, could carry the games in their own packages but have so far chosen not to.

Sources: BNN Bloomberg