For Montreal Canadiens fans, following a full 82-game regular season schedule now requires navigating a complex web of broadcast subscriptions. As of the 2024-2025 NHL season, the cost to access every game is determined by a fragmented media landscape where Rogers Communications holds the primary national rights—a deal valued at $5.2 billion CAD over 12 years—while regional broadcasters manage localized market rights.

To watch every Canadiens game, fans must typically balance a combination of traditional cable packages for regional broadcasts and digital streaming services for national or out-of-market contests. This tiered distribution model, which mirrors strategies seen in the NFL, is designed to maximize revenue by separating local team access from national marquee matchups.

Understanding the Regional vs. National Split

The primary hurdle for viewers is the distinction between regional and national rights. RDS (Réseau des sports) holds the regional broadcast rights for the majority of Canadiens games played in the French language. For most fans living within the team’s designated broadcast region, a cable subscription including RDS is the essential foundation for following the team.

National games, however, are controlled by Rogers. These games are broadcast on Sportsnet or its associated platforms. When the Canadiens play on a national stage—such as during specific Saturday night slots or marquee matchups—the rights shift away from the regional holder. This means that even a comprehensive cable package might not cover every game if it lacks the specific Sportsnet channels or the accompanying streaming service, SN NOW (now branded as Sportsnet+).

The Financial Breakdown of Accessing All 82 Games

Calculating the exact monthly outlay depends heavily on a viewer’s existing infrastructure. A fan who already pays for a premium cable package that includes both RDS and the full suite of Sportsnet channels has the most straightforward path. However, for cord-cutters, the costs shift toward direct-to-consumer streaming subscriptions.

Sportsnet+ offers various tiers, ranging from standard access to premium packages that include out-of-market games. According to official pricing structures from the network, the “Premium” annual or monthly passes are often required to ensure that fans do not miss national broadcasts or games that fall outside of their local region. Meanwhile, RDS offers its own digital access, RDS Direct, for those who do not wish to maintain a traditional television contract.

When combined, the annual cost for these services can fluctuate between $250 and $450 CAD depending on whether the user opts for seasonal passes or month-to-month billing. Prices are subject to change based on promotional offers and the specific hardware requirements of the user’s chosen platform.

Why Broadcast Rights Are Fragmented

The current state of NHL broadcasting is a result of long-term media rights agreements. The $5.2 billion deal signed between the NHL and Rogers in 2013 reshaped how Canadian fans interact with the sport. By segmenting the market, the league and its partners aim to capture different demographics: the traditional, cable-reliant viewer and the younger, digitally-native audience.

This model creates a “blackout” system for out-of-market viewers. If a fan lives outside of Quebec or the Canadiens’ designated broadcast territory, they cannot rely on RDS to watch the games. Instead, they must use NHL Live or the equivalent out-of-market streaming package provided through the league’s official digital partners to bypass regional restrictions.

Resources for Tracking the Canadiens Schedule

Because the broadcast schedule changes weekly based on national television selections, fans are encouraged to consult the official Montreal Canadiens schedule page. This resource is updated in real-time to reflect whether a game will be aired on RDS, Sportsnet, or TVA Sports.

For those looking to optimize their spending, checking the schedule in advance can help determine if a specific month requires a premium streaming subscription or if the games are primarily covered by a baseline regional cable plan. As the league continues to evolve its digital presence, the trend toward platform-exclusive games remains a significant factor in the total cost of fan engagement.

The next checkpoint for fans is the upcoming set of weekly schedule announcements, which confirm which network will carry the broadcast for the following month. Fans are encouraged to verify their local listings via their service providers to ensure no games are missed during the heat of the playoff push.