The Canadian Football League (CFL) has announced a long-term extension of its domestic media rights deal with TSN and RDS ahead of this weekend’s season-ending Grey Cup.
The renewal sees the Bell Media-owned pay-TV networks, which air English and French-language coverage respectively, retain exclusive broadcast rights all pre-season, regular season, and playoff games, as well as exclusive radio rights.
Financial terms of the deal have not been officially released but the Toronto Sun reported in September that the parties involved were working on a six-year contract that would run until 2025 and could be worth about CAN$50 million (US$37 million) annually.
The report added that the final figure could ‘grow significantly’ owing to ‘incentives, ratings-based and otherwise, written into the contract.’
“To us, this is by far the best partnership in Canadian sport – one built on trust, respect and a shared love of the great game of Canadian football,” said Randy Ambrosie, CFL commissioner.
“Our league’s growth strategy, CFL 2.0, is about expansion, innovation and literally taking on the world. We are thrilled to reach an agreement that allows us to look to the future as we continue to grow with our loyal and committed partners at TSN and RDS by our sides every step of the way.”
Figures cited in a release confirming the new deal indicate that some 15 million Canadian viewers – or 41 per cent of the country’s population – have tuned into CFL broadcasts on TSN and RDS this season.
TSN has aired CFL coverage since 1986, while RDS has shown action since 1989. The two networks became the CFL’s exclusive domestic broadcasters in 2008.
News of the extension comes with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Hamilton Tiger-Cats preparing to face off in the 107th Grey Cup in Calgary on Sunday.
The Canadian Football League (CFL) has announced a long-term extension of its domestic media rights deal with TSN and RDS ahead of this weekend’s season-ending Grey Cup.
The renewal sees the Bell Media-owned pay-TV networks, which air English and French-language coverage respectively, retain exclusive broadcast rights all pre-season, regular season, and playoff games, as well as exclusive radio rights.
Financial terms of the deal have not been officially released but the Toronto Sun reported in September that the parties involved were working on a six-year contract that would run until 2025 and could be worth about CAN$50 million (US$37 million) annually.
The report added that the final figure could ‘grow significantly’ owing to ‘incentives, ratings-based and otherwise, written into the contract.’
“To us, this is by far the best partnership in Canadian sport – one built on trust, respect and a shared love of the great game of Canadian football,” said Randy Ambrosie, CFL commissioner.
“Our league’s growth strategy, CFL 2.0, is about expansion, innovation and literally taking on the world. We are thrilled to reach an agreement that allows us to look to the future as we continue to grow with our loyal and committed partners at TSN and RDS by our sides every step of the way.”
Figures cited in a release confirming the new deal indicate that some 15 million Canadian viewers – or 41 per cent of the country’s population – have tuned into CFL broadcasts on TSN and RDS this season.
TSN has aired CFL coverage since 1986, while RDS has shown action since 1989. The two networks became the CFL’s exclusive domestic broadcasters in 2008.
News of the extension comes with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Hamilton Tiger-Cats preparing to face off in the 107th Grey Cup in Calgary on Sunday.
