TORONTO – Can there be a thing as too many major league sports? Well, definitely if you can’t broadcast them all. TSN had that problem. The solution, launch a new channel. Its new 24-hour sports digital network, TSN2, hits Canadian TV airwaves on Friday, Aug. 29 at 7 p.m. ET. The channel will feature over 800+ hours of live and exclusive major league sports action.
TSN says it received overwhelming positive response from viewers about the TSN alternate feed, which was used on a temporary basis over the past two years to provide simultaneous live coverage of sports events. After TSN successfully began broadcasting its TSN alternate feed in November 2006, the company applied for and received a licence from the CRTC for a second sports station. The alternate feed was used on a temporary basis over the past two years to provide simultaneous live coverage of more than 300 live sporting events.
“By taking the TSN alternate feed to a full-time service in TSN2, we are better positioned to serve sports fans by being able to consistently provide live coverage of two events taking place concurrently. TSN2 is a must-have for sports fans,” says Phil King, president, TSN. King adds that TSN is still in negotiations with cable and satellite companies over who will carry the channel.
“In today’s day and age of immediacy, fans want and crave live coverage of sports. TSN2 will deliver more premium live sports programming while complementing TSN’s already powerful live sports line-up. The days of tape delayed sports coverage on television are over,” explains King. “Sports fans have identified a strong need and desire for this complementary service. TSN2 provides additional value to our progressive and passionate sports audience as it allows us to air two live events simultaneously, giving sports fans more choice and diversity.”
The broadcaster says TSN2, a premium service available in both high definition and standard definition, will be a hit with sports fans since it offers:
– Live sports – a total of 800+ hours of live sports coverage, with an average of one exclusive live event/game per day, available only on TSN2.
– Encore telecasts of live TSN programming – TSN2 programming features encore performances of key sports events, which aired live earlier in the day on TSN. For example, European-based sporting events which air live on TSN in the daytime, such as Champions League Soccer and select IIHF tournaments and games will be repeated later in the day on TSN2.
– Better timeslots for Western Canada – TSN2 presents better timeslots for Western-based viewers with alternative showings. Events and programming which air in late-afternoon/early-evening in Eastern Canada on TSN will now be repeated in Western prime.
TSN2 launches on August 29 at 7 p.m. ET with exclusive live Canadian coverage of the U.S. Open tennis tournament. TSN2’s roster features an exciting line-up of exclusive live sports games and events, including the NHL, CFL, NBA, Curling, International Hockey, Golf, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR Nationwide Series, IndyCar Series, Grand Slam Tennis, Champions League Soccer, Boxing, Mixed Martial Arts, and NCAA Football and Basketball.
TSN is planning a comprehensive marketing campaign to build awareness for TSN2 and support participating distributors in growing subscriptions. The integrated campaign will consist of print, radio, web, and outdoor advertising, in addition to a targeted PR campaign and daily promotion on TSN and the CTV Inc. family of networks, including CTV, NHL Network, ESPN Classic, MuchMusic, MTV, Discovery Channel and The Comedy Network.
