RDS vs. TVA Sports Blackout Rules Explained (2026–27 Season)
Why RDS blacks out Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators games west of Belleville, Ontario, while TVA Sports broadcasts coast-to-coast across Canada.
RDS (Regional French Rights)
Geofenced to EastRDS (Réseau des sports) holds the official regional French-language broadcast rights for both the Montreal Canadiens (45 games) and the Ottawa Senators (58 games).
- In-Market Territory: Viewers located in Quebec, Atlantic Canada (NB, NS, PEI, NL), and Eastern Ontario (Ottawa, Kingston, Belleville) can watch all RDS games without blackouts.
- Western Ontario & Western Canada Blackout: Even if your cable package in Toronto, Winnipeg, Calgary, or Vancouver includes the RDS channel, live Canadiens and Senators regional games are blacked out west of Belleville.
TVA Sports (National French Rights)
Zero BlackoutsTVA Sports holds the national French-language broadcast rights across Canada, including Saturday night La Super Soirée games (32 Montreal games and 22 Ottawa games) and the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
- Coast-to-Coast Clearance: TVA Sports broadcasts are never blacked out anywhere in Canada. Fans in Ontario, the Prairies, and BC can watch every TVA Sports game on cable or TVA+ streaming.
- Playoffs & National Exclusives: Carries national French coverage regardless of which province you live in.
2026–27 French Broadcast Split: Montreal Canadiens & Ottawa Senators
Exact network allocation across the 84-game schedule:
| Team | RDS (Regional French) | TVA Sports (National French) | In-Market Territory | Out-of-Market Solution (West of Belleville) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montreal Canadiens → | 45 games | 32 games | Quebec, Atlantic Canada, Eastern ON | Sportsnet+ Premium or Centre Ice (French) |
| Ottawa Senators → | 58 games | 22 games | Eastern ON, Quebec, Atlantic Canada | Sportsnet+ Premium or Centre Ice (French) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Montreal Canadiens game blacked out on RDS in Toronto or Western Canada?
RDS only holds regional broadcast rights (45 Canadiens games and 58 Senators games), which are restricted to Quebec, Atlantic Canada, and Eastern Ontario east of Belleville. Viewers in the GTA, Western Ontario, the Prairies, and British Columbia are outside the regional boundary and are blacked out on standard RDS cable feeds.
Are TVA Sports hockey games ever blacked out outside Quebec?
No. TVA Sports holds national French-language rights. Every Canadiens and Senators game broadcast on TVA Sports clears coast-to-coast across all Canadian provinces with zero regional blackouts.
How can French-speaking fans watch RDS regional games outside Quebec and Eastern Ontario?
Fans living west of Belleville (including Toronto, Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton, and Vancouver) can stream out-of-market RDS feeds using Sportsnet+ Premium or subscribe to the French-language NHL Centre Ice cable package.