Even as the NHL and its players race towards the point of no return, CBC is keeping quiet about its plans for the very real possibility of an entire season sans hockey.

Reports have speculated that the net would be forced to lay off as many as 500 employees if the season is canceled, following 50 cuts made last fall.

‘There is a concern, in [CBC] Sports in particular, that the lockout will lead to another drop in jobs,’ says Arnold Amber, a CBC producer and president of the net’s branch of the Canadian Media Guild, which represents some 6,000 of its employees.

But spokesperson Ruth-Ellen Soles will only say that no other cuts have been confirmed and, ‘We’re still waiting for them to say the season’s over.’ Losing the lucrative playoff season stands to cost the net some $20 million.

As Playback went to press, there was still a whisper of hope that ongoing talks between the players and the league could save the season. Jan. 31 is thought to be the deadline.

CBC has replaced Hockey Night in Canada with a showcase of movies and other shinny-themed programs, including the reality spin Making the Cut and the miniseries The Tournament.

In January, CBC canceled its 13-hour Hockey Day in Canada celebration. Introduced in 2000, the event normally features three games and six Canadian NHL teams and celebrates hockey as a part of Canadian culture.

Shortly thereafter, TSN announced a variation of the hockey day theme, the six-hour Hockey Lives Here: Canada’s Game, set for Feb. 19. TSN will also fill its hockey schedule with the 46th annual Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament, the 4th annual World Pond Hockey Championship from Plaster Rock, NB, and a 60-minute recap of the 2005 World Junior Hockey Championship.

-www.cbc.ca

-www.tsn.ca