Sportsnet fell short in its communication with fans over its significant price hike of its premium service, a sports management professor says.
The broadcaster, owned by Rogers, is raising the price of its Sportsnet+ Premium streaming service starting Sept. 9, with the annual plan jumping from $249.99 to $324.99 and the monthly price rising from $34.99 to $42.99.
Hockey fans who only subscribe for the nine-month NHL season will pay more on the monthly plan ($386.91) than they would have paid for the full year.
By comparison, U.S. viewers can stream out-of-market NHL games via ESPN+ for US$11.99 a month or US$119.99 a year. International fans can access games through NHL.tv for US$14.99 a month.
Brock University professor of sport management Michael Naraine calls the increase “incredibly frustrating” from a fan’s perspective
He added that Sportsnet could have instead shown some appreciation to its consumers by providing opportunities for discounted pricing and better explained why the prices are being increased.
A Sportsnet spokesperson defended the price increase in a statement Monday.
“This update reflects that great value for sports fans looking for the best sports content in the country, while remaining competitively priced with other options in the market,” the statement read.
The prices of other Sportsnet packages are also increasing, but not as drastically.
A standard subscription, which includes all Toronto Blue Jays content and national and in-market NHL games, is increasing from $199.99 to $249.00 annually and $24.99 to $29.99 monthly.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 14, 2025.
