TORONTO – The National Football League and CHUM Television announced today a one-year contract agreement to broadcast Monday Night Football.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The NFL has one broadcast season left on its agreement with ABC and Citytv will be the Canadian simulcaster for the upcoming 2005 campaign. Toronto 1 held the rights the past two seasons.
In 2006, NFL football on Monday nights switches to ESPN in the U.S. and TSN in Canada, thanks to a recent mega-deal. The Sunday night NFL game as of 2006 will be shown on NBC Stateside and likely also on TSN here in Canada.
“The most successful and longest-running prime time sports series in television history will kick off its 36th season on CHUM’s Citytv stations beginning Thursday, September 8th at 9 p.m. ET,” says the release. “Citytv will then broadcast 16 consecutive Monday night games starting Monday, September 12th.
“CHUM Television is an excellent partner for the NFL and Monday Night Football," said NFL senior director of international media Katie Boes, in the press release. "American football is growing in popularity in Canada and CHUM’s free national coverage will be a great service to our millions of fans across the country."
The agreement includes live coverage of the opening game of the NFL’s 86th season on September 8th when the Super Bowl-champion New England Patriots host the Oakland Raiders.
“With the popularity of the NFL in Canada, we are thrilled to be able to bring it to our Citytv viewers across the country," said Ellen Baine, vice-president, programming, CHUM Television. "Moreover, this is an excellent opportunity for CHUM Television to grow our HD offerings in direct response to our viewer requests."
The remainder of the 2005 Monday Night Football schedule will be announced at a later date.
