Toronto, ON () – TSN and RDS announced today a four-year extension for its broadcast deal for the IIHF Men’s World Hockey Championship, effective 20. A new component to the deal includes a comprehensive suite of multimedia rights, ensuring Canadians can enjoy the action on multiple platforms. Today’s announcement illustrates further both networks’ long-range commitment to delivering leading sports properties to viewers. Recently, TSN announced a six-year deal with the Canadian Curling Association and, together with RDS, a seven-year extension with Hockey Canada.
Details of the IIHF Men’s World Hockey Championship deal are as follows:
In addition, TSN and RDS will be at the forefront when the 100th anniversary of the tournament takes place for the first time in Canada – in Quebec City and Halifax in 2008.
“TSN’s reputation as Canada’s leading sports broadcaster is a direct result of our aggressive and unwavering commitment to securing the biggest and best sports properties,” said Phil King, President, TSN. “The network’s continued dedication to hockey at all levels is unparalleled. We greatly value our partnership with Hockey Canada as they continue to promote and develop amateur hockey in this country.”
“Hockey is without a doubt the favourite sport among RDS viewers. With the 2008 Men's World Hockey tournament taking place practically in RDS' own backyard, all the ingredients are there to make the 100th anniversary of this popular tournament very special for RDS viewers," said Gerry Frappier, President, RDS. "We are very pleased to extend our partnership with Hockey Canada for the next four years."
TSN and RDS have been televising Hockey Canada events since 1991, representing an ongoing 16-year relationship, and reinforcing the networks’ position as the home of hockey.
"At Hockey Canada, we are very pleased with the great partnership we have with TSN/RDS. This new deal is great news for both partners, because the World Championship is a very important event for Hockey Canada,” said Scott Smith, Senior Vice-President, Operations, Hockey Canada. “We look forward to working with TSN/RDS in the coming years to grow this event, especially in 2008 when Canada will host the World Championship for the first time."
About RDS
Le Réseau des Sports (RDS) is the world’s only French language all-sports network. Since its launch 1989, RDS has been offering one of the largest selection of sports programming in the world, airing exclusive coverage of the Montreal Canadiens, NHL hockey, CFL and NFL football (including the Grey Cup and Super Bowl), Formula 1, the World Series of baseball, PGA golf, all major tennis tournaments and, of course, the Olympic Games. In addition to these events, RDS also offers up-to-date sports coverage via Sports 30, the only one of its kind in French. As well, with the 2004 launch of the digital station RIS Info-Sports, viewers now have access to round-the-clock sports news coverage, seven days a week. Finally, the RDS.ca site has become the unrivalled leader in sports in French on the Web, with over one million visitors monthly.
About TSN
TSN is Canada's Sports Leader. Setting the Canadian sports broadcasting standard, TSN's flagship news program, SportsCentre, was voted the number-one source for sports news by sports fans from across the country.* TSN's comprehensive broadcast schedule also features the NHL and first three rounds of the Stanley Cup Playoffs; Toronto Maple Leafs hockey; International Hockey including the IIHF World Junior Championship; the Olympic Games through 2012; CFL including Friday Night Football; NFL including Sunday and Monday Night Football; PGA TOUR and all four golf Majors; Season of Champions Curling; NASCAR including the Daytona 500; Formula One including the Canadian Grand Prix; IRL including the Indy 500; Blue Jays baseball; Raptors basketball and the NBA Finals; Tennis and all four Grand Slam events; 2006 FIFA World Cup; UEFA Champions League Soccer; HBO World Championship boxing; and Figure Skating including the national championships. TSN HD offers more sports coverage, more hours and more events in High Definition than any other network in Canada, reinforcing TSN's position as Canada's Sports Leader in High Definition. TSN is available in eight million households. TSN's programming and news content is also available online at TSN.ca.
*2004/2005 Roper Canada – Winter