The Columbus Blue Jackets will unify their television and radio game coverage next season. Moreover, fans will hear the same broadcast on both platforms beginning in 2026-27. Following the release of the news, sports media shares their reactions to the decision.
What We Know: The Columbus Blue Jackets announced that every game broadcast will be simulcast across television and radio starting with the 2026-27 NHL season. As a result, the television audio feed will air throughout the club’s radio network, including flagship station 97.1 The Fan in Columbus. Steve Mears will continue handling play-by-play, while former Blue Jacket Jody Shelley remains the color analyst. Additionally, radio listeners will now hear Shelley’s analysis, which has also appeared on TNT and Amazon Prime NHL broadcasts. Meanwhile, the club confirmed it didn’t renew the contract of longtime radio play-by-play announcer Bob McElligott after 17 seasons. In addition, Dylan Tyrer will remain part of the radio coverage as host.
What They Said: “Bob McElligott has made significant contributions to the Blue Jackets organization on the air and in the community over the past 17 years. Bob’s voice was at the heart of many of our club’s unforgettable moments. He helped shape memories that will live on for years to come. We sincerely thank him and wish him nothing but success moving forward.” -Columbus Blue Jackets Vice President of Business Intelligence & Broadcasting Marc Gregory
What Remains Unclear: The organization hasn’t finalized its television distribution plans for the upcoming season. Consequently, it’s unknown whether any additional broadcast changes could accompany the new simulcast model.
What It Means: The move aligns the Blue Jackets with a growing industry trend of using a single broadcast team across multiple platforms. It also gives radio listeners access to the same analysis and presentation television viewers receive while reducing the need for separate game broadcasts. At the same time, the departure of McElligott closes a lengthy chapter for the franchise after nearly two decades behind the microphone.
Embarrassing look for a league that claims to have made around $8 billion this season, for a franchise that’s probably worth north of $2 billion, and for an owner whose company is valued at around $3 billion. https://t.co/EeVhtO12fm
— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) July 30, 2026
NHL takes over production of broadcast, immediately does the dumbest thing you can do in broadcasting. WTF??? https://t.co/16mkkU907O
— Jonathan Smith (@DegenerateTBone) July 29, 2026
for the 1,456,764th time…TV/Radio simulcasts are disrespectful to fans, a tremendously wasted opportunity for hometown messaging and team identity & a dereliction of content creation https://t.co/Wtk0VtGWQv
— Ken LaVicka (@KLVsays) July 29, 2026
A team from a major professional sports league that does this does not care about its audience, its advertisers, or its on-air personnel.
This is embarrassing to the National Hockey League. https://t.co/AlkJADdzvF
— Mo Egger (@MoEgger) July 30, 2026
This is a bad, lazy idea. To celebrate it and to sell it as “allowing fans” as if it’s a service to them is completely disingenuous.
Just say — hey we are being cheap and simulcasting. Sorry. See you at the arena. https://t.co/Lcpf0N7KPG
— Grant Paulsen (@GrantPaulsen) July 30, 2026
Shameful. And not just because I’ve known @BobbyMacSports for 20 years and he does first-rate work and is a first-class person.
Teams thinking simulcasts are good for listeners are just being cheap. This is terrible. #Sabres doing it 30 years shouldn’t be some endorsement. https://t.co/atbxfEKXnE
— Mike Harrington (@ByMHarrington) July 29, 2026
TV is an art, and radio is an art. Like how Nolan films demand 70mm screens, both the creator and consumer of these art forms suffer when they become one size fits all. https://t.co/9XP5p90IZg
— Nathan Strauss (@NathanPStrauss) July 29, 2026
This has not been a good off-season for the #CBJ and it just got worse. 1 @BobbyMacSports is one of the best humans there is. I’ve never seen another Broadcaster more willing to help the younger generation. A true pro. You never get better losing quality humans like him. https://t.co/1NtrYqFGzf
— Ryan Baker (@ShakeNBaker971) July 29, 2026
As a PxP broadcaster this is disheartening to see. @BobbyMacSports does an excellent job calling hockey. I feel awful for him. Not deserved at all based on the quality of his work.
Generally speaking, I’m not a fan of simulcasts. It’s not fair to the fanbase. Credit instead… https://t.co/Vpmlsx8Rs5
— Phil Giubileo (@philgpbp) July 29, 2026
Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.
John Mamola is Barrett Media’s sports editor and daily sports columnist. He brings over two decades of experience (Chicago, Tampa/St Petersburg) in the broadcast industry with expertise in brand management, sales, promotions, producing, imaging, hosting, talent coaching, talent development, web development, social media strategy and design, video production, creative writing, partnership building, communication/networking with a long track record of growth and success. He is a five-time recognized top 20 program director in a major market via Barrett Medi’s Top 20 series and has been honored internally multiple times as station/brand of the year (Tampa, FL) and employee of the month (Tampa, FL) by iHeartMedia. Connect with John by email at John@BarrettMedia.com.