Yuku free message boards

Hockey Night In Canada to ditch famous theme, says composer's agency

June 5, 2008 - 16:36

THE CANADIAN PRESS

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.

According to a statement on hockeytheme.com, the licence agreement CBC had with composer Dolores Claman ended with this year's Stanley Cup playoffs, which wrapped up Wednesday night.

The website said the CBC has been offered a new licensing agreement but has decided to go in a new direction. It costs the public broadcaster about $500 every time it uses the theme.

The hockeytheme.com website is operated by John Ciccone, whose company Copyright Music & Visuals controls use of the song.

"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 said in a statement on the website.

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.

Claman has written about 2,000 jingles over her career. She is also credited with writing the Ontario theme "A Place To Stand," which she co-wrote with her husband Richard Morris in 1967.