Here are the "Blackout" rules for NHL Hockey by content providers. I needed to publish this article as there is no warning for games listed in the television guide that a particular game is actually going to be "blacked out". This is especially important for when I want to PVR a game to watch later. Nothing is more frustrating to find out later that you have 3 hours of a "blackout" message when you sit down to watch a game....
Is your game going to be "blacked out"? Here are the rules that dictate this.
NHL Blackouts
Certain NHL games are subject to broadcast blackouts that all TV providers are required to enforce. Blackouts are the result of restrictions imposed by the NHL on broadcasters and TV providers. Blackouts can be set for specific cities/communities, or for a defined region - which can include entire provinces or territories.
NHL Centre Ice
Games shown on NHL Centre Ice are subject to blackout restrictions. Blackouts remain intact as the local regional sports network has the rights to air these games in a specific area.
- All nationally televised NHL games are blacked out on NHL Centre Ice in all provinces and territories.
- Winnipeg Jets games are blacked out on NHL Centre Ice in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, the Northwest Territories & Nunavut.
Sportsnet
Rogers Sportsnet has the rights to broadcast some NHL games in markets. These games will be blacked out in Manitoba.
- Vancouver Canucks games on Sportsnet Pacific can only be viewed in British Columbia and the Yukon.
- Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers games on Sportsnet West can only be viewed in Alberta, Saskatchewan, the Northwest Territories & Nunavut.
- Montreal Canadiens games on Sportsnet East can only be viewed in Quebec, Atlantic Canada & Ottawa and surrounding areas.
- Toronto Maple Leafs games are split between TSN4 and Sportsnet Ontario.
TSN
TSN features regional blackouts for coverage of Winnipeg Jets, Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators games.
- TSN2 will feature 50 Montreal games. Games will be blacked out and can only be viewed in Quebec, Atlantic Canada & Ottawa and surrounding areas.
- More specifically, for 2023 - 32 Montreal Canadiens games will be available nationally. The other 50 games will be broadcast regionally on TSN2. These regional games will be blacked out west of Pembroke and Belleville, Ont.
- TSN3 will feature Winnipeg Jets games. Games will be blacked out for customers outside of Manitoba, Saskatchewan & Northwest Ontario.
- TSN4 will feature Toronto Maple Leaf games. Games will be blacked out for customers outside of Ontario.
- TSN5 will feature Ottawa Senators games. Games will be blacked out for customers outside southeast Ontario, Quebec & Atlantic Canada.
What this means when PVR'ng a game. If it is scheduled for TSN2 and TSN5 - make sure to PVR the right channel as you may find that your recording is blacked out only after you sit down to enjoy the game!! Has happened to me more than once with Ottawa games!
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