- Multi-year deal delivers expanded NFL content to Bell Media beginning
2014/15 -
- For the first time, Sunday 4 p.m. package comes to CTV, TSN -
- New digital rights deliver NFL games to fans on internet and wireless
devices -
To tweet this release: http://bit.ly/1cld0TS
TORONTO AND NEW YORK, Dec. 9, 2013 /CNW/ - Bell Media and the National
Football League announced today a multi-year extension of their
broadcast partnership that will see more NFL games on more Bell Media
channels and platforms than ever before. The agreement brings the 4
p.m. Sunday package to CTV and TSN for the first time, allowing for a
full day of Sunday NFL programming on Bell Media channels (see below
for Sunday lineup). The new agreement is complementary to the existing
agreement for primetime games on TSN.
Beginning Fall 2014, Bell Media becomes the rights holder to NFL
football in Canada for:
-
Sunday 1 p.m. regular-season games
-
Sunday 4 p.m. regular-season games
-
Sunday Night regular-season games
-
Monday Night regular-season games
-
All Playoff Games
-
The SUPER BOWL
Fans will now receive Sunday afternoon games on conventional (CTV/CTV
Two) and specialty (TSN/TSN2) at both 1 and 4 p.m.
Additionally, the new agreement grants Bell Media digital media rights
for the first time, giving Canadian fans the ability to watch NFL games
and content on Bell Media TV Everywhere platforms, including CTV GO and
TSN GO.
Financial details of the agreement were not disclosed.
"As NFL audiences continue to rise, Bell Media is proud to provide even
wider access to Canadian NFL fans wherever they may be and on whatever
platform," said Phil King, President, CTV Programming and Sports. "The
National Football League is a brand synonymous with excellence and
leadership to both fans and advertisers alike. We look forward to
elevating the NFL in Canada to even higher peaks."
"Since partnering with Bell Media we have seen a strong lift in our
viewership in Canada," said Julie Moeller, Vice President of
International Media Business Development, NFL. "Starting in 2014, Bell
Media will offer live NFL football all day on Sundays across their
networks and digital offerings, providing a dynamic viewing experience
for the fans. We are pleased to extend our partnership."
As the home of professional football in Canada, TSN will continue to be
Canada's source for NFL news and information, led by SPORTSCENTRE. In
addition to broadcasting NFL programming from ESPN, including NFL
COUNTDOWN on Sunday mornings, MONDAY NIGHT COUNTDOWN, and the NFL
DRAFT, TSN also broadcasts the Sunday night pre-game show FOOTBALL
NIGHT IN AMERICA.
NFL Sundays in Canada:
10 a.m.
|
NFL COUNTDOWN
|
1 p.m.
|
Two games in each market
|
4 p.m.
|
Two games in each market
|
7 p.m.
|
FOOTBALL NIGHT IN AMERICA
|
8:30 p.m.
|
Sunday night football
|
11:30 p.m.
|
SPORTSCENTRE
|
TSN has been televising NFL games since 1987, where it is among the Top
3 sports broadcast on the network, while CTV's partnership with the NFL
began in 2007. Since that time, NFL audiences have grown 76% for
regular season games on CTV and 48% for playoff games. Since 2012,
audiences have spiked for males, up 15% for M18-49 and up 18% for
M25-54. The SUPER BOWL remains the most-watched television event in
Canada, with an audience of 7.4 million on CTV and RDS in 2013.
About Bell Media
With passion and an unrelenting commitment to excellence, Bell Media
creates content and builds brands that entertain, inform, engage, and
inspire audiences through the platforms of their choice. Bell Media is
Canada's premier multimedia company with leading assets in television,
radio, out-of-home advertising, and digital media. Bell Media owns 30
local television stations led by CTV, Canada's #1 television network;
34 specialty channels, including TSN and RDS, Canada's most-watched
specialty channels in English and French; four pay TV services,
including The Movie Network and Super Écran; and is managing
shareholder of premium pay-per-view service Viewer's Choice Canada.
Bell Media is also Canada's largest radio broadcaster, with 107
licensed radio stations in 55 markets across Canada. Bell Media owns
Astral Out-of-Home, one of Canada's most dynamic and innovative
out-of-home advertising companies. Bell Media also operates more than
200 websites and apps, delivers TV Everywhere with its innovative GO
video streaming services, including TMN GO and Bravo GO, and owns Dome
Productions Inc., a multi-platform production company. Bell Media is
part of BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE), Canada's largest communications
company. For more on Bell Media, please visit www.bellmedia.ca.
*Audience data prior to August 31, 2009 based on BBM Nielsen Media
Research Mark II meters. CTV electronic audience databases incorporate
data beginning in 1994.
SOURCE Bell Media