Russian state broadcaster VGTRK has been unable to reach a deal to show games from North America’s NHL ice hockey competition this season, according to the R-Sport news website.
VGTRK’s Rossiya-2 channel broadcast NHL games last season, but the league and broadcaster have failed to strike a deal ahead of the start of a shortened season this weekend.
“We won’t be showing NHL games this season,” VGTRK deputy director Dmitry Mednikov said. “There was no conflict. We just could reach an agreement on money in this case.”
Mednikov added that talks could resume after the start of the season on Saturday.
The NHL campaign is getting underway later than usual on Saturday after a deal was reached between franchise owners and the players over a new labour agreement, ending a four-month work stoppage.