The combination of hockey players and figure skaters is something that is VERY Canadian - Russia is the only other country I can think of where there are stars in and an audience for both - the US has the skaters in both disciplines, but neither sport has as high a profile as in Canada. And CBC has a long history of broadcasting both. I watched a lot of the original BOTB with my brother, who was a hockey player, and it was a good way to share our interests.
ETA: it was particularly annoying for John Doyle to lump BOTB in with Family Feud Canada.
Family Feud is a ridiculous game show. It's a terrible and unfair comparison.
BOTB is entertainment connected to two highly popular, extremely high profile sports in Canada. It is a show created by a Canadian and has an overwhelmingly Canadian cast. In past seasons, they've had theme nights where only Canadian music is played.
Schitt's Creek has been such a success because it found a U.S. audience due to the international renown of Eugene Levy and Catherine O'Hara. To scrub a show such as BOTB which appeals to Canadian audiences is ridiculous. Unless someone is going to create another comedy show starring Canadian actors who have been in countless American movies, there is nothing better than a show that capitalizes on the popularity of hockey and figure skating.