Our thoughts are with TVA Sports, which has just suffered a serious setback with the disappointing results of the Montreal Canadiens’ opening game.
While the channel hoped to capitalize on this event to boost its ratings, the figures fell like a cold shower: only 524,000 viewers on average per minute, according to journalist Maxime Truman, still as well connected in the field of the media audience.
This figure is far from the 700,000 to 800,000 viewers which were the norm, and it represents a crushing failure for a channel which relies heavily on hockey to ensure its financial survival.
For Félix Séguin, the long-time describer, and Patrick Lalime, the analyst on the show, this setback is particularly difficult to take.
The performance of the two commentators was not, however, catastrophic. But many Quebecers, dissatisfied, chose to tune into Sportsnet rather than TVA Sports.
A trend which is growing and which cruelly exposes the challenges facing the channel.
Challenges as big as a mountain to overcome. Is the decline unstoppable?
The marked drop in television ratings for the opening match is part of a context where TVA Sports seems to be accumulating failures.
Since its inception in 2011, the chain has never been profitable, racking up total losses of nearly $300 million. (Pierre-Karl Péladeau speaks more of 242 million dollars, the losses must be in the middle).
The problems have worsened in recent years, as the channel continues to lose subscribers at an alarming rate: 9% fewer in 2023, or 115,000 fewer subscribers. We are still waiting for the figures for 2024, but according to what is circulating, it would be even worse.
These figures leave little room for optimism for the years to come, especially with the deadline of 2026, the date on which the NHL’s exclusive broadcasting contract will end.
The reasons behind this failure are numerous, but one problem particularly stands out: the quality of the comments and analyzes offered to viewers.
Félix Séguin, in particular, is entering a crucial year. His credibility has been seriously damaged in recent years, but it must be admitted that he has improved.
For Félix Séguin, the weight of the criticism is enormous. He finds himself constantly in the spotlight, with the pressure to deliver an impeccable performance in every match.
Public pressure comes back to haunt him regularly, every time he makes a mistake, no matter how small. Today, despite himself, he has become a symbol of the flaws in TVA Sports’ sports coverage.
The pressure is not only felt by Félix Séguin. Patrick Lalime, despite his experience as a former NHL player, has not escaped criticism.
Many viewers believe that his analyzes sometimes lack depth and originality, which does not help to compensate for the shortcomings observed during the broadcasts.
The two commentators are thus caught in a negative spiral where each error is amplified by social networks, making their work particularly difficult.
Yesterday, in fact, they were very correct. But that did not prevent us from seeing several Quebecers abandon French-speaking hockey for the English-speaking channel.
Far from being spared, Élizabeth Rancourt is also going through a difficult period. Since she took over from Louis Jean in the winter of 2023, ratings have continued to decline.
Despite his efforts to establish himself, the transition was brutal, and viewers were quick to express their dissatisfaction.
The misogynistic criticisms that targeted her following certain match coverage only aggravated tensions, exposing a merciless reality: the TVA Sports audience struggled to identify with this new generation of hosts.
However, falling for mysogynistic comments is simply disgusting and there is no need for it.
His comments towards Marc Denis, criticizing his “image game” and his too careful French, provoked indignation. His attacks on Carey Price, accusing him of playing only for money, shocked fans, who did not forgive what they perceived as an offense against a beloved player.
But she deserves another chance. She never, ever deserves derogatory comments because she is a woman. Nothing justifies, in 2024, mysogynistic comments.
In the background, the ousting of Dave Morissette continues to haunt TVA Sports. Her gradual sidelining in favor of Élizabeth Rancourt left a void in many viewers.
Morissette, a popular figure, particularly in the regions, symbolized the closeness and humanity that fans appreciated. His withdrawal was experienced as an abandonment by part of the public, who are struggling to find the same connection with the new generation of animators.
And seeing Morissette as a stopgap at the post-match in train with Maxim Lapierre and Guillaume Latendresse creates a feeling of pity.
As if we had wanted to give the crumbs to Morisette. As if we wanted to give him the pity candy.
The choice of many Quebecers to tune into Sportsnet instead of TVA Sports is revealing. The quality of the coverage offered by the English-speaking broadcaster, combined with a more varied and dynamic offering, is attracting more and more viewers.
Conversely, TVA Sports is perceived as stagnant, despite the massive investments made by Péladeau to improve its broadcasts.
For TVA Sports, this catastrophic start to the season is a hard blow, and it raises serious questions about the long-term viability of the channel.
Pierre Karl Péladeau, president of Quebecor, continues to assert that TVA Sports is an integral part of the group’s strategy, but the facts show that the company has never been so close to collapse.
The accumulated losses, the collapse of the audiences, and the credibility problems of the commentators are all challenges which could lead to a complete reassessment of the business model in 2025-2026, the last year of the channel before losing the rights of the NHL and CH.
But it’s not over until it’s over.
The year 2024 promises to be decisive for Félix Séguin, Élizabeth Rancourt, and more broadly for the entire TVA Sports team.
The results of the opening match sent a clear signal that the public is no longer satisfied with rough coverage.
Viewers are looking for authentic expertise, impactful analysis, and connection with commentators.
At the moment, the chemistry between TVA Sports and the public is not there.
For TVA Sports, the time has come for difficult choices. Continue on this path, despite yesterday’s disappointing results, or admit the mistakes of the past and make a strategic shift now.
In any case, the future of the channel, like that of its hosts, remains hanging by a thread.
The next few weeks will be crucial, and everyone at TVA Sports will have to rise to the occasion to regain the trust of an increasingly cruel public.
Our thoughts are with them.
