Despite the victory of the Montreal Canadiens this evening, a heavy atmosphere reigned on the RDS airwaves.
The voices of Marc Denis and Pierre Houde, usually full of energy, carried an almost anxious tone, as if the shadow of an impending crisis loomed over the studio.
And for good reason: a media bombshell broke recently, suggesting that Bell Media could sell RDS and TSN, a scenario that perhaps marks the end of the glorious era of traditional sports television in Quebec.
According to several informed sources, Bell Media is re-evaluating its future in sports media.
With the rise of streaming platforms like Amazon Prime, the decline in revenues from television subscriptions and the astronomical increase in production costs, traditional channels like RDS have become less profitable.
Bell has already shown its intention to move away from sports content by selling its shares in MLSE (Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment), and by investing massively in telecom infrastructure with the acquisition of Ziply Fiber for $3.6 billion. .
Bell’s disinterest in sports media is evident:
Loss of national NHL rights in 2013, which were acquired by Rogers.
Increased dependence on the regional rights of the Montreal Canadiens, a contract which expires in 2026 and which could be threatened.
The growing dominance of Amazon Prime, which now streams Monday night NHL games in Canada
For RDS employees and analysts, the uncertainty is unbearable. While Bell publicly denies sales rumors, the absence of an identified buyer does not eliminate the hypothesis of a gradual disengagement.
RDS depends heavily on the Montreal Canadiens for its ratings, but even this legendary franchise is no longer enough to compensate for lost revenue.
We have to face the facts. Traditional television is an outdated model. Traditional TV subscriptions are collapsing in the face of the flexibility of digital services.
Competition is increased. Amazon and other platforms attract younger generations with interactive, ad-free experiences.
The costs are unsustainable. Broadcasting rights are increasing, while advertising revenues are decreasing, widening an insurmountable gap
Amazon Prime’s success in streaming NHL games is a clear warning.
The viewing figures for games broadcast on Prime are impressive, especially for Canadian teams like the Toronto Maple Leafs, who largely dominate the audiences.
This shows a sea change in consumption habits, where viewers prefer digital platforms over traditional channels.
Amazon, with its digital-focused model, could even be a potential buyer of RDS and TSN. This would represent a revolution for sports fans, but a shock for the Quebec industry, where RDS has long been an institution.
This evening’s broadcast, despite CH’s victory, had a bitter taste. Marc Denis and Pierre Houde, always professional, seemed to struggle to hide their concerns.
This anxiety is indicative of a deeper unease within RDS, where employees likely feel that the future of their channel is in jeopardy.
The rumors of the sale of RDS and TSN mark an inevitable transition in the Canadian media landscape. As Bell focuses on more stable sectors like telecommunications, traditional sports television is losing relevance.
Even if RDS managed to survive in the short term, the dominance of digital platforms and financial challenges make its future uncertain.
For Quebec sports fans, this development is a stark reminder that times are changing.
RDS, once a symbol of excellence and sporting passion, is now in the grip of a struggle for survival, a struggle it could lose to giants like Amazon.
As the storm rises around rumors of the sale of RDS and TSN, the impact on the Quebec media ecosystem cannot be underestimated.
Much more than a simple sports channel, RDS represents a cultural pillar, a rallying point for hockey fans.
But today, this institution is collapsing, prisoner of an economic model that no longer holds up.
The idea that RDS could disappear or be sold is a blow to Quebec’s media heritage. Streaming platforms, although efficient and modern, do not share this local attachment.
A possible acquisition by Amazon or another multinational could mean the end of the Quebec flavor in the television sports landscape.
The potential disappearance of RDS is worrying: what will happen to local sports? Unlike large markets like Toronto, where the Leafs, Raptors and Blue Jays dominate the airwaves, Quebec relies heavily on the Montreal Canadiens, CF Montreal, the Alouettes and secondary leagues that depend on RDS media coverage to exist .
Without a channel dedicated to these sports, events like the QMJHL or local competitions could lose visibility, which would have a direct impact on their financing and popularity.
Streaming platforms, while effective, often focus on major events and neglect regional or niche content.
This could worsen the collapse of local sports and deprive young Quebec athletes of essential media exposure for their careers.
The digital revolution has redefined the way fans consume sports content. Platforms like Amazon Prime, YouTube and ESPN+ offer a personalized experience, free of intrusive ads, and accessible across multiple devices.
The linear television model, with its rigid schedules and advertising interruptions, is dated by comparison.
However, this digital transition leaves part of the audience behind. Older generations, loyal to RDS, could find themselves lost in a fragmented media landscape, where they have to juggle multiple subscriptions to access the content they love.
Recent audiences for hockey games broadcast on Amazon Prime clearly illustrate this change. The Toronto Maple Leafs largely dominate, while games involving the Canadian struggle to attract comparable numbers.
This imbalance reinforces the idea that platforms will favor large English-speaking markets, leaving Quebec fans with a reduced and less accessible offer.
It’s hard to imagine a scenario where RDS could reverse the trend. Dependence on the Canadian’s regional rights is a risky bet, especially if Bell decides to sell before these rights expire in 2026.
The financial weight of broadcasting rights combined with a declining subscriber base leaves the channel little room for maneuver.
Even if a buyer emerges, it is unlikely that they will invest to maintain RDS’s current model. Production costs and viewer expectations have changed, and only a complete overhaul could make the channel competitive.
But that would likely mean a radical change in its mission and identity, a blow to those who grew up with RDS as their main sports broadcaster.
RDS, once at the top of Quebec sports television, today seems to be an institution in decline, crushed by economic forces it cannot control.
While Bell is gradually withdrawing from the sports sector, and digital platforms are taking over, the Quebec media landscape is preparing to lose one of its jewels.
The Canadian’s victory against the Ducks this evening, although exciting, cannot mask the seriousness of the situation. It is not just jobs or market share that are at stake, but the very soul of sport on Quebec television.
And as the winds of change blow, it becomes increasingly clear that RDS will not survive this storm.
The question is no longer if RDS will disappear, but when it will happen.
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