TORONTO – Three months after cancelling the long-running 11:30 p.m. sports highlights show Sportsline (I mean, Global Sports) Global News Ontario has decided to eliminate its sports division altogether.
In its place, Global will deliver live nightly segments from Rogers Sportsnet, beginning in 2007. Three full time positions and some part time staff will lose their jobs in the new year, Ron Waksman, News Director, Global News Ontario, told Cartt.ca on Wednesday.
The move is part cost-cutting, part broadcast improvement, he added. The new collaboration is a sign of the times because Sportsnet, a 24-hour all-sports channel brings "the level of sophistication and analysis that sports viewers demand these days," Waksman added.
Audiences across Ontario can catch the live sports segments nightly on News Hour at 6 p.m. and News Final at 11p.m., in addition to customized updates appearing each day on the Morning News.
"We’re thrilled at this opportunity to extend the Sportsnet brand into the quality environment that Global News provides," said Sportsnet vice-president of marketing, David Ballingall.
Of course, Sportsnet offers three other regional sports channels (Pacific, West and East) along with Ontario. Could this deal be a prelude to doing the same with Global Newscasts across the country with the other Sportsnet channels? "This is a good fit here and the deal is specific to Global News Ontario," responded Waksman.
Rogers Sportsnet Ontario will focus on "hometown" sports news from franchises including the Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Blue Jays, Toronto Raptors, Toronto Argonauts – in addition to other leading, local and provincial sports franchises.
Sportsnet Ontario’s Sean McCormick will anchor the sports segment live during News Hour at 6:00 with Leslie Roberts and Anne-Marie Mediwake. McCormick will also deliver live results and analysis as part of News Final at 11:00 with Carolyn Mackenzie.
Commencing later in 2007, highlights, headlines and more will be produced expressly for Global’s Morning News with Alan Carter and Zuriadah Alman in a daily sports package.
– Greg O’Brien
