After 18 years on the air, “Hockey Night in Canada: Punjabi Edition” has been canceled, as announced by the show on Friday. The Punjabi-language sportscast expressed gratitude for bringing the community closer to the beloved game since its inception in 2008. The show highlighted the stories of South Asian players and families, creating a unique space in Canadian sports.

Rogers Sportsnet, the national NHL rights-holder, described the cancellation as a challenging decision. They acknowledged the significant impact the broadcasts had on Punjabi-speaking hockey fans, despite insufficient audience levels to sustain long-term production.

Jagraj Lalli, a commentator on the show since last fall, expressed shock at the cancellation. He emphasized the lasting impact of the show’s mission, stating that the connection, diversity, and representation it provided will endure. Lalli pledged to maintain the ties between the Punjabi language, community, and North American sports.

Fans lamented the cancellation online, remembering the show fondly for its representation and inclusivity. Despite the disappointment, supporters praised the show’s contributions to the South Asian diaspora in hockey. The last season of the show averaged 1,500 viewers overall, with most games drawing fewer than 1,000 viewers, according to Sportsnet data.

Reflecting on his time with the program, Bhupinder Singh Hundal, a former host and commentator, shared his gratitude for the opportunities and impact of “Hockey Night Punjabi.” The cancellation follows CBC’s decision in June to end its long-standing broadcast of “Hockey Night in Canada” after unsuccessful negotiations with Sportsnet. Additionally, Rogers Sports and Media recently closed Vancouver’s Sportsnet 650 radio station after nearly a decade on the air.