After a year-long battle, the CBC has perpetually lost the rights to the Hockey Night In Canada theme song to rival CTV yesterday.
CBC walked away from the negotiations on Friday with the song’s composer, Vancouver-born Dolores Claman, asking for at least $2.5 million.
CTV announced yesterday it’ll use the 40-year-old song on its hockey broadcasts on TSN and RDS as well as the upcoming Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. It issued a press release saying it “saved The Hockey Theme.”
“The song has a long and storied history in Canadian sports … We know we will be in hockey forever, so there’s no doubt this acquisition will create value for us,” said Rick Brace, president of CTV Sports.
Claman said she is “pleased the song has found a new home.”
“I am very moved by how so many Canadians have taken the hockey theme to heart,” she added.
Blayton Mylen, a Vancouver hockey fan, said he’s disappointed.
“I think everything from Hockey Night In Canada should stay with the CBC. That’s where it started, and that’s where it should be right now.”
Vancouver waiter Dan Lagimodidre said he also doesn’t like the change.
“The fact that it’s a 40-year old tradition at CBC, I don’t know how CTV can get away with buying it.”
