TSN, RDS Extend Programming Agreement with ESPN

TSN and RDS announced they have extended their long-term, multi-year programming agreement with ESPN International. The new deal allows TSN and RDS platforms to retain exclusive Canadian access to original ESPN programming, including ESPN Films and thousands of hours of live sports events and news and information programming each year.

A highlight of the agreement includes Canadian broadcast rights to ESPN’s slate of college football programming, including the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) in 2014 and the new College Football Playoff (CFP) beginning in January of 2015, as well as other important Bowl match-ups. Additional highlights include NCAA basketball, the Australian Open, and ESPN’s slate of extensive football news programming.

As part of the agreement, Bell Media Radio holds radio broadcast rights; while TSN and RDS digital platforms acquire Canadian media rights to ESPN digital content, including video, fantasy games and ESPN.com’s team of highly-respected columnists and Insider analysis.

“ESPN is the one of the world’s leading sport entertainment companies and we are thrilled to extend our long and successful partnership to bring Canadians the best of ESPN programming, including its extensive coverage of the Bowl Championship Series and College Football Playoff,” said Stewart Johnston, president of TSN. “The strength of TSN has always been the breadth and depth of our broadcast schedule and this partnership underscores our commitment to bringing our viewers, clients, and partners sports and news content from the United States’ top sports media brand.”

“ESPN continues to value its relationship with TSN and RDS.  We joined forces 13 years ago to provide Canadian fans top-quality content, including some of the sporting world’s marquee events,” said Russell Wolff, executive vice president and managing director, ESPN International. “This new agreement carries on that mission and continues to serve the Canadian sports fan via multiple platforms in a market key to ESPN’s international business.”

Highlights of the new programming arrangement include the following content.

• College football including the BCS in 2014 and the CFP for 2015 and beyond, including more than 30 Bowl games each December-January
• Complete coverage of the Australian Open, including the Finals
• News and information programming, including Pardon the Interruption, Around the Horn, Numbers Never Lie, and SportsNation.
• Sport-specific studio shows for NFL Countdown, NFL Films, ESPN FC, and Game Day SportsCenter Insider Reports and news features
• Critically-acclaimed and award-winning documentaries from ESPN Films (30 for 30, 9 FOR IX) and original programming like E:60
• X Games, World Series of Poker, the Australian Football League, NHRA, and more
• Digital content from ESPN.com including fantasy platforms
• ESPN Audio programming