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TORONTO - The famous Hockey Night in Canada theme that has introduced thousands of great games over the years may not be heard again when the puck drops next season.
The agency that represents the song's composer said the CBC will no longer use the familiar hockey anthem.
CBC Sports executive director Scott Moore would not comment on the claim when reached at his Toronto office. The network was expected to issue a release later Thursday.
The licence agreement CBC had with composer Dolores Claman ended with this year's Stanley Cup playoffs, which wrapped up Wednesday night.
John Ciccone, whose company Copyright Music & Visuals controls use of the song, said he was given a deadline until noon Wednesday to reach a new agreement. The CBC sent him an e-mail later in the afternoon telling him they would not renew the contract.
"We looked at it every different way we could," he said. "Whatever it takes, let's try and come up with something."
It cost the public broadcaster about $500 every time it used the theme, but Ciccone doesn't think it came down to an issue of money.
One of the ideas Ciccone said he offered involved maintaining the same contract for two years, then increasing the rates by about 15 per cent, an increase he calls an industry standard.
He says he has yet to hear back from the CBC, but that he would always be open to starting negotiations again.
"We're always here," he said. "They've got our number."
Claman could not be reached for comment but released a statement on the website hockeytheme.com.
"I am saddened by the decision of the CBC to drop the Hockey Night in Canada theme after our lengthy history together. I nevertheless respect its right to move in a new direction."
Claman wrote the song in 1968 after it was commissioned by McLaren Advertising. The company was looking for something big, adventurous and brave to go with the broadcast.
Despite going through numerous rearrangements, the jingle has become one of Canada's most recognized tunes.
The agency that represents the song's composer said the CBC will no longer use the familiar hockey anthem.
CBC Sports executive director Scott Moore would not comment on the claim when reached at his Toronto office. The network was expected to issue a release later Thursday.
The licence agreement CBC had with composer Dolores Claman ended with this year's Stanley Cup playoffs, which wrapped up Wednesday night.
John Ciccone, whose company Copyright Music & Visuals controls use of the song, said he was given a deadline until noon Wednesday to reach a new agreement. The CBC sent him an e-mail later in the afternoon telling him they would not renew the contract.
"We looked at it every different way we could," he said. "Whatever it takes, let's try and come up with something."
It cost the public broadcaster about $500 every time it used the theme, but Ciccone doesn't think it came down to an issue of money.
One of the ideas Ciccone said he offered involved maintaining the same contract for two years, then increasing the rates by about 15 per cent, an increase he calls an industry standard.
He says he has yet to hear back from the CBC, but that he would always be open to starting negotiations again.
"We're always here," he said. "They've got our number."
Claman could not be reached for comment but released a statement on the website hockeytheme.com.
"I am saddened by the decision of the CBC to drop the Hockey Night in Canada theme after our lengthy history together. I nevertheless respect its right to move in a new direction."
Claman wrote the song in 1968 after it was commissioned by McLaren Advertising. The company was looking for something big, adventurous and brave to go with the broadcast.
Despite going through numerous rearrangements, the jingle has become one of Canada's most recognized tunes.
