The NHL final is no longer free to watch. This group wants to pass a law to change that

Next year, for the first time in decades, Canadians won't be able to watch the NHL Stanley Cup final for free on television. A lobby organization wants the government to pass a law to prevent that from happening.

The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.

The Edmonton Oilers play against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Place in Edmonton on Wednesday. Since CBC stopped airing NHL games on Hockey Night in Canada, Canadians who want to watch must do so on cable or subscription streaming channels. (Leila Devlin/Getty Images)

Next year, for the first time in decades, Canadians won't be able to watch the NHL Stanley Cup final for free on television — unless a media lobby group gets its way.

As a new NHL season kicks off, Friends of Canadian Media is asking the federal government to enact legislation that would compel private media companies to license sports events of national importance to TV stations that will air them free of charge.

"We're suggesting that the government ask a simple question: Are there certain moments that are so important to Canada's cultural life that every Canadian should have affordable and broad access to them?" Raj Shoan, the group's executive director, told As It Happens host Nil Kӧksal.

Copyright for this text belongs to CBC.