OTTAWA – There could be two more sports network hitting the airwaves in Canada.
The CRTC has received applications from Rogers Broadcasting and Quebecor-owned TVA Group for national, category two services tentatively entitled Rogers’ Mainstream Sports Specialty Service, and TVA Sports.
In an application dated September 16, 2009, Rogers said that its new network will air “programming dedicated to all aspects of sports with an emphasis on mainstream Canadian professional sports”.
“Rogers Broadcasting Ltd. will leverage our expertise in sports programming and our existing infrastructure to establish a premium service offering blue chip mainstream sports events with widespread viewer, subscriber and advertiser appeal”, the application reads.
The new network, sounding suspiciously like TSN2, will be broadcast in HD, could provide multiple feeds, and lists NHL hockey games involving Canadian teams, Major League Baseball, and coverage of UEFA soccer as examples of its programming of choice.
TVA Group’s application for the French-language TVA Sports describes its potential programming as consisting “of all aspects of sports and in particular of general interest Canadian professional sports”.
Both applications are among many scheduled to be considered at a CRTC hearing in Gatineau on December 14, 2009. Comments are due by November 12th.
– Lesley Hunter
