TORONTO – CBC Sports has finalized a five-year deal with the International Skating Union (ISU) to show some of its biggest international events.
The deal includes more than 120 hours of coverage annually of figure skating and speed skating that will be carried on CBC, its specialty channel bold TV, streamed on-line and through a strategic partnership with VisionTV.
The schedule includes the 2011 ISU Grand Prix Final this December in Quebec City, the World Figure Skating Championships (including London, Ontario in 2013), the ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships, and all international Grand Prix events. It also encompasses all major ISU championships for speed skating and short track speed skating, including the ISU World Sprint Speed Skating Championships in Calgary next January and the ISU World Cup Short Track in Saguenay, Quebec this October.
“This deal solidifies CBC’s long-term commitment to acquiring marquee, signature sports events that entertain and engage Canadians”, said Jeffrey Orridge, executive director of CBC sports properties, in the announcement. “Viewers have come to expect nothing but the best from our ice skating coverage, and this ensures fans will see Canadian champions competing on the world stage in the most important international figure skating and speed skating competitions.”
CBC said that its partnership with VisionTV allows more Canadians to have access to its award-winning figure skating coverage. VisionTV is available in 10 million Canadian homes.
"Ice skating is uniquely complementary to VisionTV’s program lineup” said Bill Roberts, CEO of ZoomerMedia’s television division. “When it comes to a winning edge, inner strength and remarkable courage are as critical to success as superior technique. Historically, skating has been inspirational, family-friendly viewing, making the tie to VisionTV a strong one. It will be a great multi-year partnership for our company as we work with CBC Sports and the ISU to make one of the most expressive, uplifting, multicultural and musical of sports widely available to Canadians.”
