TSN Secures Extension for Vanier Cup

2011-08-22
TSN announced it has reached a multi-year partnership extension with Canadian Interuniversity Sport, and partner MRX Associates, making TSN the exclusive home of the Vanier Cup for the next three years. The agreement also includes exclusive rights for the Uteck Bowl, Mitchell Bowl, and Hardy Cup.

TSN's extension with the CIS includes all multimedia broadcast rights for the championship games along with French-language broadcast rights for RDS.

As part of the new deal, the Vanier Cup, Uteck Bowl, Mitchell Bowl and Hardy Cup will all be broadcast live in prime time for the first-time ever. TSN will broadcast the games during its popular Friday night timeslot throughout November. The 2011 Vanier Cup airs Friday, Nov. 25 as part of TSN's extensive Grey Cup weekend coverage.

"CIS football has never been stronger, with solid programs established in schools across the country delivering some outstanding football," said Shawn Redmond, Vice-President of Programming, TSN. "We are looking forward to working with the CIS in continuing to build the profile of the league by showcasing its championship game and star athletes with prime time coverage on TSN this fall."

"CIS is extremely pleased to have our games broadcast on Friday night prime time, with the Vanier Cup broadcast from the same venue, and the same broadcaster as the Grey Cup. This is good for Canadian University football and a great opportunity for our fans, our players and the teams," said Peter Metuzals, Director of Marketing, Canadian Interuniversity Sport.

SportsCentre, TSN.ca and TSN RADIO 1050 will complement TSN's CIS football coverage with news and analysis surrounding the games. ESPN Classic will showcase great matches from past Vanier Cups.

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Sportsnet Signs Three-Year Agreement with CanoeKayak Canada

2011-08-19
Rogers Sportsnet has announced a new three-year agreement with CanoeKayak Canada for exclusive broadcast rights to five key events this season, leading up to Rogers' extensive coverage of the London 2012 Olympic Games, where canoe/kayak will receive high profile.

This is the main qualification event for London 2012, and features Oakville native Adam van Koeverden, three-time Olympic medallist and a seven-time world champion, who has qualified for the men's K-1 1,000m final. Canadian teammate Mark Oldershaw has moved on to the men's C-1 1,000m final, while Thomas Hall of Pointe-Claire, Quebec and Ben Russell of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia have gained a berth in the C-2 500m final. Both Hall and Russell will join Paul Bryant of Richmond Hill, Ont. and Ian Mortimer of Ottawa in the C-4 1,000m final.

In addition to the Canoe Sprint World Championships, Sportsnet has also secured the broadcast rights to the Canoe Sprint World Cup, Canoe Slalom World Championships, Canoe Slalom World Cup, and the Mazda Canoe Kayak Knockout.

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TSN and TSN2 Announce 151 NHL Regular Season Games

2011-08-18

The NHL's biggest stars are lacing ‘em up on Canada's Sports Leader, as TSN and TSN2 deliver the nation's favourite pastime to fans from coast to coast with its 151-game 2011-12 NHL ON TSN broadcast schedule - the most games ever for TSN platforms.

All TSN and TSN2 NHL games are available live on TSN Mobile TV.

The national broadcast package is part of TSN and TSN2's multi-year, multimedia rights agreement with the NHL. A total of 77 regular season games will air on TSN, with 73 games featuring at least one Canadian team. TSN retains English-language exclusivity of Wednesday Night Hockey with a total of 30 games including four double-headers, during which there are no other national or local NHL telecasts. TSN also tees up the regular season with pre-season action featuring Canadian clubs. TSN2's regular season schedule features an additional 74 exclusive live NHL games.

"With the Canucks' Stanley Cup run and the Jets' return to Winnipeg, Canadians can't wait for the puck to drop on the new NHL season. This year we'll be giving fans more NHL coverage than ever before with 151 games on TSN and TSN2," said Stewart Johnston, President, TSN. "In addition to live games, Canadian hockey fans also receive all-encompassing coverage of their favourite NHL teams on all of TSN's broadcast, digital, online, radio and mobile platforms."

Regular season coverage on TSN gets underway on Friday, Oct. 7 with an NHL Premiere game from Europe, as the NY Rangers take on the LA Kings at 1 p.m. ET in Stockholm, Sweden. TSN2 also has NHL coverage from overseas at 1 p.m. ET, with the Anaheim Ducks facing off against the Buffalo Sabres in Helsinki, Finland.

Highlights of the NHL ON TSN schedule include four all-Canadian match-ups featuring Winnipeg @ Toronto (October 19), Vancouver @ Calgary (November 1), Winnipeg @ Montreal (January 4) and Ottawa @ Montreal (March 14). Headlining the NHL ON TSN's Canadian team coverage during the regular season is 17 Toronto games along with 15 Montreal games, 10 games for Ottawa, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver, and five games for Winnipeg.

Additional highlights of the NHL ON TSN regular season schedule include:

· 17 double-headers on TSN/TSN2

· 14 Original Six match-ups

· 16 games featuring Jonathan Toews and the Chicago Blackhawks

· 14 games featuring Alexander Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals

· 12 games featuring Tim Thomas and the Stanley Cup champion Boston Bruins

· 11 games featuring Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins

· Dany Heatley's return to Ottawa with the Minnesota Wild on October 11

In addition to its package of regular season games, TSN has live coverage of the first three rounds of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, exclusive Canadian coverage of the NHL Draft Lottery and the NHL Entry Draft.

TSN's NHL coverage will be complemented with extensive daily NHL news coverage on TSN.ca, TSN Radio, along with daily hockey news shows That's Hockey, and That's Hockey 2Nite and reports on Sportscentre, Off The Record With Michael Landsberg and The Reporters with Dave Hodge.

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CTV Two Launches August 29th.

2011-08-10
Bell Media announced today that its newly branded conventional network CTV Two will launch on Monday, Aug. 29. Immediately accessible to nearly 90% of English viewers from coast-to-coast, the newly branded stations are CTV Two Vancouver/Victoria, CTV Two Alberta, CTV Two Toronto/Barrie, CTV Two London, CTV Two Windsor, CTV Two Ottawa, and CTV Two Atlantic. The CTV Two schedule features some of Canada's most-watched series as well as local CTV News programming in most markets. And, for the first time, CTV Two will transmit in High Definition beginning Aug. 31.

A navigational brand directing viewers to a second platform for CTV programming, the CTV Two Fall Schedule has been loaded with Top 20 hits and some of this Fall's most-anticipated new programs, including The X Factor, premiering Sept. 22. The schedule immediately positions CTV Two as one of Canada's most competitive conventional networks. Additional CTV programming found on CTV Two includes Two and a Half Men, Criminal Minds, CSI: Miami, Law & Order, SVU, The Vampire Diaries Nikita, America's Next Top Model, Mike & Molly, Anderson and The Ellen Degeneres Show.

The launch of CTV Two will also see the expansion of the CTV News brand on August 29 in Vancouver/Victoria, Toronto/Barrie, London and Windsor. While still retaining their editorial independence, the former /A NEWS broadcasts are instantly strengthened under the umbrella of the CTV News brand. The local CTV NEWS broadcasts will feature the CTV brand in the on-air graphics featured in the newscasts, while new sets will debut as well.

Additionally, the local morning shows on CTV Two Ottawa and CTV Two Atlantic will be rechristened CTV Morning Live, to be consistent with the name of new morning shows launching in western markets on CTV this fall. CTV Two Alberta, formerly known as ACCESS, will retain its mandate as the educational broadcaster for the province of Alberta, with 50% of its schedule dedicated to commercial-free educational programming.

For the first time, CTV Two Vancouver/Victoria, CTV Two Toronto/Barrie, CTV Two London, CTV Two Windsor and CTV Two Ottawa will transmit over the air and via major television distributors in High Definition, as of Wednesday, Aug. 31, strengthening the network for both viewers and advertisers. The plan to convert transmitters in these markets to HD began in spring 2010, with Bell Media making a significant investment into the conversion in time for the launch of CTV Two.

The local CTV Two stations are currently undergoing a re-branding effort that will see the CTV brand surface on everything from vehicles and building signage to stationary and merchandise. The new local CTV Two stations will use the CTV brand in their ongoing community investment initiatives, providing a more powerful extension of support into the communities they serve.

Marking the synergy between the CTV and CTV Two brands, the new CTV Two schedule will receive significant promotional support across CTV's main schedule in some of television's biggest programs. A comprehensive external promotional campaign, including local radio, print and outdoor advertising, will also roll out in the coming weeks.

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Rogers to Stream Live Blue Jay Baseball on Demand

2011-08-02

Live streamed Rogers Sportsnet coverage of the remainder of the 2011 Toronto Blue Jays regular season is now available through Rogers On Demand Online and with Rogers On Demand Mobile.

Building on the growing popularity of Canada's only Major League Baseball team, Rogers Communications is giving its customers another way to catch its baseball team and its specialty channel TV coverage.

Toronto Blue Jays TV viewership on Rogers Sportsnet is up more than 23 per cent nationally this year over last, according to BBM reports cited by Rogers, with more than half a million people on average tuning in to each and every Jays game.

Rogers On Demand Online is available to any Rogers Cable, Wireless, Home Phone or Hi Speed Internet customer, who can visit rogersondemand.com with their account information and register to watch live Jays on Sportsnet coverage at no charge, beginning with the Toronto Blue Jays and Tampa Bay Rays at 7:00pm EST today.

Starting August 8th, Rogers is also serving up matches for tennis fans. Fans can find live streamed coverage of the 2011 Rogers Cup tennis tournament on Rogers On Demand Online and Rogers On Demand Mobile.

"Making our games available with Rogers On Demand Online and Rogers on Demand Mobile, in addition to Rogers Sportsnet and Sportsnet Radio FAN 590, gives our great fans the ability to never miss a pitch, hit or home run," said Paul Beeston, President and Chief Executive Officer, Toronto Blue Jays.

"Canadians are dedicated Blue Jays fans. Rogers is giving customers a triple play with three ways to ways to tune into the live games wherever they choose to watch - on TV, online and on their smartphones," added Dave Purdy, Vice President, Video Products. "Now, customers all over the country are the first to be able to take the game with them anywhere they are and never miss a second of exciting baseball."

Rogers wireless customers can subscribe to the Rogers on Demand Mobile app to view live Jays on Sportsnet full game presentation. Apple iPhone and Android customers can visit the App Store and Android Marketplace to subscribe to the Rogers on Demand Mobile App. Rogers BlackBerry customers can text MyApps to 555 to subscribe. Rogers On Demand Mobile subscription is $5/month and also offers TV programming, news and music videos as part of the monthly subscription.

The live streamed tennis coverage features up to three matches at any given time from both the ladies' tournament in Toronto and the men's tournament in Montreal. Online, customers will have access to additional content including player features, vignettes and interviews and will be able to catch up on matches they miss.

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CTV's Lloyd Robertson Signs Off September 1st.

2011-08-04

After 60 years in broadcasting - and 35 years at CTV - Canada's most-trusted news anchor Lloyd Robertson signs off for the last time at the end of his final broadcast on Thursday, September 1 at 11 p.m. on CTV, it was confirmed today. Robertson vacates his role as Chief Anchor and Senior Editor of the country's most-watched newscast, CTV National News With Lloyd Robertson, while continuing on at CTV in a variety of roles, including as Host and Chief Correspondent of the documentary series W5.

In the hour leading up to Robertson's final newscast, CTV airs Lloyd robertson -- And that's the Kind of Life It's Been, a new, original one-hour documentary directed by Robertson's daughter Lisa. The documentary premieres Thursday, September 1, scheduled across Canada to immediately precede Robertson's final newscast in all markets on CTV.

The documentary offers a unique and personal glimpse into the life of one of Canada's most treasured icons, uncovering this Stratford, Ontario boy's humble beginnings and his rise to recognition as "Canada's most-trusted news anchor." Robertson's wife and four daughters, his closest high school pals, and friends such as CTV's Craig Oliver and former television journalist, the Hon. Pamela Wallin, share reflections and stories about Robertson in the documentary. Encore presentations of the documentary air Saturday, September 3 and Sunday, September 4 .

In the weeks leading up to his final newscast, viewers across Canada have an opportunity to pay tribute to Robertson on the dedicated, interactive website, CTV.ca/Lloyd, which goes live today. There, viewers can send in written comments, upload video and photos, and send personal messages to Robertson, while accessing highlights of his storied career.

"There is only one Lloyd Robertson, and we are all grateful for his trusted storytelling of the events that have shaped us both at home and abroad," said Wendy Freeman, President CTV News. "He has an enviable gift to provide context, no matter how difficult the subject matter, with honesty, integrity and objectivity. We are so thankful to Lloyd for sharing this gift each and every night for the Canadians who, in turn, have remained loyal to this incredible newsman."

"I am honoured and humbled to have had the opportunity to be welcomed into the homes and lives of Canadians for so many years," said Robertson. "And I am not going anywhere just yet! This is just a new chapter in a career that I feel so fortunate to have had. After almost 60 years in this business, I still pinch myself every now and again. I've witnessed some of the most historic events on the planet and had the opportunity to share my experiences with the people of this country."

With five decades of news reporting under his belt, Robertson has reported on some of the most memorable events in our recent history, including 9/11, the Quebec Referendum, the Marathon of Hope, Expo '86, the Gulf War, the 50th anniversary of D-Day, 14 Canadian elections and numerous U.S. elections, nine Olympic Games, various royal weddings, countless federal budgets, political and economic summits, and endless openings of Parliament, state funerals, and papal visits.

During the week leading up to Robertson's final newscast, CTV National News airs a series of the most memorable news stories that Robertson covered during his tenure.

Robertson was awarded the Order of Canada in February 1998, and in 2007, became the first journalist inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame. Additionally, Robertson's success in Canada has played a pivotal role in establishing the excellent reputation Canadian journalists have throughout the world. In 1998, Robertson was inducted into the Canadian Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame. He was honoured in 1993 with the prestigious Radio Television News Directors' Association President's Award. He won Gemini Awards in 1992, 1994 and 1997, and was a multiple nominee for Best Anchor/Interviewer in 2001. In 1995/96, the Canadian Association of Broadcasters awarded Robertson the Gold Ribbon Award for Broadcast Excellence and in 1998 inducted him into the CAB Hall of Fame.

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