Rogers boosts 2025 service revenue forecast to 5% after acquiring Bell’s stake in Maple Leaf Sports. Media earnings climb with NHL playoff viewership surge.
Rogers Revises Forecast Following Strategic Sports Investment
Rogers Communications has raisd its full-year service revenue forecast, citing a sharp increase in media performance after taking full control of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE), the parent company of the Toronto Raptors and Toronto Maple Leafs.
Revenue Surge Driven by Sports Media Expansion
The telecom giant now expects its annual service revenue to grow between 3% and 5%, up from its previous projection of 0% to 3%. This upward revision follows a significant earnings boost from sports-related content, particularly during the NHL playoffs. The company’s Q2 media revenue jumped 10%, aided by increased fan engagement and new channel offerings from Warner Bros. Discovery.
Stake Buyout from Bell Finalized Earlier This Year
The upward momentum stems largely from Rogers‘ strategic acquisition of rival Bell’s remaining interest in MLSE, consolidating its ownership to 75%. The move has strengthened Rogers’ dominance in live sports broadcasting — a sector outperforming other media segments in both Canada and the U.S. despite shifting economic pressures.
Why Sports Content Is Central to Growth Strategy
With live sports continuing to attract consistent viewership across platforms, Rogers has doubled down on long-term partnerships, including its C$11 billion, 12-year NHL media rights deal. The latest results reinforce how such investments are paying off in consumer retention, subscriber growth, and advertising gains.
How the Market Responded and What’s Next
Rogers reported Q2 revenue of C$5.22 billion, surpassing analyst forecasts. It also added 35,000 postpaid wireless subscribers, nearly matching expectations. Analysts now anticipate that Rogers’ media revenue could reach C$3.9 billion annually, far exceeding earlier projections of C$2.71 billion.
Analysts See Sustained Momentum Ahead
eMarketer’s Paul Briggs commented that Rogers is effectively leveraging its sports holdings for long-term profit, and the MLSE acquisition could further accelerate this growth. As sports media becomes a more vital asset class, Rogers’ bet on professional teams and broadcasting rights is shaping into a blueprint for Canadian telecom-media synergy.
Published by MapleNewsWire.ca
