- Hockey Night in Canada brand lives strong across all channels and
platforms -
- CBC tradition continues with Saturday night games and playoffs -
- TVA Sports new home of all national French-language broadcasts -
TORONTO, Nov. 26, 2013 /CNW/ - Rogers Communications today announced
multi-year sub-licensing agreements with CBC and TVA Sports for NHL
games, beginning with the 2014-15 season. This deal follows today's
earlier announcement in which Rogers Communications and the NHL secured
a long-term broadcast and multimedia agreement, providing Rogers with
all national rights on all platforms in all languages.
"We are proud to select CBC as our partner to carry on the Hockey Night
in Canada tradition for Canadians," said Nadir Mohamed, President and
CEO, Rogers Communications. "We are also excited about our
long-standing sports alliance with TVA Sports and Quebecor, which will
use its many channels and platforms to deliver French-language NHL
coverage."
As part of the multi-year agreement, CBC will continue to air
nationally-televised regular season games on Saturday night and playoff
games. In addition, the iconic Hockey Night in Canada brand will
continue on CBC and be used across all Rogers channels and platforms on
Saturday nights.
Today's announcement with CBC is part of an intent to create a larger
extended partnership between Rogers Media and CBC, in which Rogers and
CBC will work together on future sports alliances for Canadian sports
fans.
"Given the NHL agreement with Rogers," said Hubert T. Lacroix, President
and CEO of CBC/Radio Canada, "we were happy to come to an agreement
with Rogers to ensure all Canadians from coast to coast to coast would
continue to have hockey available on Saturday night and through the
playoffs. Partnerships like this one are a strategic way for CBC to
promote the public interest in today's broadcasting landscape."
The multi-year deal with TVA Sports includes exclusive French-language
multiplatform rights for national NHL games.
"At Quebecor, we are passionate about hockey and we are excited to
become the official French-language broadcaster of the NHL in Canada.
Through our convergence strategy, I can guarantee that all
French-language hockey fans will be able to benefit from the best
possible multiplatform viewing experience," said Robert Dépatie,
President and CEO of Quebecor and Quebecor Media.
"Rogers has enjoyed terrific partnerships with CBC and TVA over the
years, and we look forward to continue working together to bring
Canadians more NHL games, more content and more choice like never
before," said Keith Pelley, President, Rogers Media.
About CBC/Radio-Canada:
CBC/Radio-Canada is Canada's national public broadcaster and one of its
largest cultural institutions. The Corporation is a leader in reaching
Canadians on new platforms and delivers a comprehensive range of radio,
television, internet, and satellite-based services. Deeply rooted in
the regions, CBC/Radio-Canada is the only domestic broadcaster to offer
diverse regional and cultural perspectives in English, French and eight
Aboriginal languages.
About Quebecor:
Quebecor, a Canadian telecommunications, entertainment and news media
leader, is one of the best-performing integrated communications
companies in the industry. Driven by their determination to deliver the
best possible customer experience, all of Quebecor's subsidiaries and
brands are differentiated by their high-quality, multiplatform,
convergent products and services. Quebecor (TSX: QBR.A, QBR.B) is
headquartered in Québec. It holds a 75.36% interest in Quebecor Media,
which employs nearly 16,000 people in Canada. A family business
founded in 1950, Quebecor is strongly committed to the community. Every
year, it actively supports more than 400 organizations working in the
vital fields of culture, health, education, the environment and
entrepreneurship. Visit our web site: www.quebecor.com. Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/QuebecorMedia
About Rogers:
Rogers is a leading diversified Canadian communications and media
company. We are Canada's largest provider of wireless voice and data
communications services and one of Canada's leading providers of cable
television, high-speed Internet and telephony services. Through Rogers
Media we are engaged in radio and television broadcasting, televised
shopping, magazines and trade publications, and sports entertainment.
We are publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: RCI.A and
RCI.B) and on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: RCI).
SOURCE Rogers Communications Inc.
