A lot of Edmonton Oilers fans didn’t watch Monday night’s game against the Detroit Red Wings, and the reason was simple: the first Sportsnet “Monday Night Hockey” broadcast was locked behind an extra paywall.
The game was streamed only on Sportsnet+, which meant it wasn’t available on TV. Even fans who already subscribed to Sportsnet had to pay an additional $12.99 per month to get access, unless they were getting Sportsnet through Rogers Xfinity TV.
For everyone else, the options were even pricier. A Sportsnet+ membership currently costs $34.99 a month or $269.99 a year, and plenty of fans decided the hassle and extra expense weren’t worth it. Social media filled up fast with complaints from viewers who felt they were being charged twice just to keep up with their team.
“Finally free to watch one of my first full Oilers games this season and… I can’t, because of this Sportsnet+ bullst. You guys are such aholes, Sportsnet,” said one upset Oilers fan.
“Paying for Sportsnet and then needing to subscribe to Sportsnet+ to watch the Oilers is like buying a gym membership and then being charged again to use the treadmill,” wrote another annoyed fan.
“Trying to make it unreachable and not relatable to Canadians on a budget. Hockey is supposed to be an escape from the pressures of daily life,” wrote a frustrated Oilers fan.
“Absolutely f**king insane that I have Sportsnet included with my TV package for the sole purpose of watching Oilers games, and I can’t even watch tonight’s game because I apparently don’t already spend enough,” wrote one Oilers fan.
“Absolutely ridiculous. Already paying for Sportsnet channels and now they want me to pay more for Sportsnet+? I don’t think so,” wrote another.
Some fans made it clear they weren’t budging on the extra fee. “Have spent years paying for all of the @Sportsnet channels so I can catch all of the @EdmontonOilers games.
Refuse to pay more for Sportsnet+. In fact, will likely now just reduce my package to Sportsnet West only, and roll with the punches,” one posted on X.
Others were blunt about what they thought of the new setup. “I hope the viewership is low as f**k and they abandon this ridiculous paywall venture. It’s gotten so expensive to watch AT HOME, and that’s pitiful,” posted another fan.
Even fans who already had Sportsnet through Telus or other packages said they were stuck. “I also already pay for Sportsnet via Telus, and I have Prime Video, but no option to link these two and watch the game on Prime?? F**ing ridiculous,” said another.
One fan who paid for an even larger cable package vented about still being shut out: “I have the full Sportsnet cable selection and I’ve paid the outrageous $400 a year to have centre ice so that I can see all of the Oilers games and you’re telling me that I can’t see the game tonight because it’s on Sportsnet plus !!!!?????”
The frustration wasn’t limited to living rooms. A Boston Pizza in Edmonton couldn’t show the game either, after refusing to pay the extra fee and posting a notice on the door to explain why.
The Oilers won’t be the only club affected by the new setup this season. There are eight more Edmonton games scheduled to stream exclusively on Sportsnet+:
Nov. 9 vs. New York Rangers
Dec. 14 vs. Montreal Canadiens
Dec. 28 vs. Washington Capitals
Jan. 11 vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
Feb. 22 vs. Ottawa Senators
Mar. 1 vs. Chicago Blackhawks
Mar. 15 vs. Colorado Avalanche
Apr. 11 vs. Calgary Flames
The changes don’t stop there. Fans who used to get all 82 Oilers games through Sportsnet TV will now only get 70, and they’ll need to add two streaming services to see every game. Those without a TV subscription will need both a Sportsnet+ membership and Prime Video.
That matters even more with the Oilers’ matchup against the Calgary Flames this week, which will be the first of five games available only through Prime Video’s “Wednesday Night Hockey.” The full Prime Video slate is:
Oct. 28 vs. Calgary Flames
Dec. 30 vs. Boston Bruins
Mar. 3 vs. Calgary Flames
Mar. 31 vs. San Jose Sharks
Apr. 7 vs. Winnipeg Jets
Sportsnet told Offside that the network is working with other Canadian distribution partners to give TV subscribers more ways to access Sportsnet+ content.
For fans already feeling squeezed by rising prices, the timing couldn’t be worse. Edmonton attendance at Rogers Place has already dropped this season, with increased ticket prices and steep concession costs cited as major reasons. The Oilers have tried to soften that with a series of “Decade Deals” around the rink, but that hasn’t been enough to change the bigger picture.
The NHL has spent years trying to grow the game and bring in more fans. In Edmonton, though, the trend is moving the other way. Watching at home is getting more expensive, going to the arena is getting more expensive, and a growing number of longtime fans are starting to tune out.
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