Background on Rogers' Sportsnet+ Exclusive Monday Night Hockey
Rogers has removed Monday Night Hockey from its TV channels and made it a Sportsnet+ exclusive, prompting complaints from cable providers Cogeco, Eastlink, and SaskTel. The parties argue that this move is anti-competitive and unfairly charges consumers who subscribe to other providers. They claim Rogers is imposing an additional $12.99 monthly surcharge for access to the content, which they say is not offered to Rogers' own subscribers. The complaint highlights Rogers' recent acquisition of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE) and warns of potential platform fragmentation if Rogers is allowed to unilaterally remove core NHL broadcasts from linear TV feeds.
Rogers' Response to the Complaint
In a response to the complaint, Sportsnet stated that all broadcast providers have the opportunity to make Sportsnet+ content available to their customers, but no other providers have yet reached an agreement. They also noted that no other broadcasters have reached an agreement yet to offer Sportsnet+ exclusive games.
Industry Trends and Consumer Concerns
The complaint comes amid ongoing concerns about the fragmentation of sports content across different platforms. A recent survey by MobileSyrup found that Canadians are struggling to keep up with the increasing number of streaming services available. Additionally, Google has updated its November Pixel Drop, and PlayStation has canceled its Canadian live-service title, Fairgame$.
Conclusion
The complaint from Cogeco, Eastlink, and SaskTel underscores the growing tension between cable providers and Rogers over the distribution of Sportsnet+ exclusive content. The CRTC will need to carefully consider the implications of Rogers' actions and ensure that consumers have access to the sports content they desire without being subjected to unfair pricing or platform monopolies.
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