Sportsnet
In September of 1996, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission granted approval for a new sports network under the tentative name S3. Baton Broadcasting Inc. held a controlling forty percent interest in this venture, while Rogers Media and Liberty Media each secured minority stakes of twenty percent. The proposed structure emphasized regional programming through four distinct feeds designed to serve different areas across Canada. This joint effort between three major media companies aimed to challenge existing national sports broadcasters with localized content tailored to specific communities.
The network officially launched on the 9th of October 1998, operating as CTV Sportsnet. Its first live broadcast featured an NHL opening night game between the Philadelphia Flyers and New York Rangers. Before going on air, the channel had already gained significant credibility by securing national cable rights to the National Hockey League from its long-time holder TSN. From the 1998-99 season until 2001-02, Sportsnet aired regular season games to a national audience throughout the year. It also covered first-round playoff series that did not involve Canadian teams during those early years.
When CTV purchased NetStar, the former parent company of TSN, in 2000, regulatory bodies ordered CTV to divest either TSN or its stake in Sportsnet. CTV chose to retain TSN and sell its portion of the sports network instead. Rogers became the sole interested party for this acquisition, purchasing CTV's stake in the summer of 2001. During the transition period when the channel operated simply as "Sportsnet," CTV retained control over programming on both networks. Some cross-affiliation programs were transferred to Sportsnet, including figure skating events that would later be tape-delayed on TSN.
In 2004, Rogers completed its full ownership by buying the remaining twenty percent stake held by Fox. The network moved its broadcast operations from 9 Channel Nine Court to the Rogers Building in Downtown Toronto on the 30th of April 2008. This relocation placed Rogers Sportsnet directly across a parking lot from TSN headquarters, creating a unique rivalry dynamic between the two competing channels. The physical proximity led to jokes and references appearing in broadcasts from both networks regarding their shared location history.
Rogers began extending the Sportsnet brand beyond original regional networks with the August 14 launch of Rogers Sportsnet One in 2010. This national companion channel promised eight hundred hours of live events per year alongside additional part-time feeds serving as overflow channels for regional NHL coverage. In January 2011, Rogers rebranded its sports radio stations CJCL Toronto and CFAC Calgary under the new Sportsnet Radio banner. Critics speculated this move aimed to increase synergy with television counterparts amid rumors of TSN launching its own radio network.
On the 3rd of October 2011, Rogers announced a major rebranding that shortened the network's official name to just Sportsnet. The new visual identity included a revamped logo designed in conjunction with Troika Design Group and an image campaign titled "Fuelled By Fans." Research conducted by Rogers indicated that previous branding elements did not resonate well with viewers, leading to the removal of the former player emblem. Dean Bender oversaw the entire redesign process having previously served as creative director when the network launched as CTV Sportsnet. That same month, Rogers also renamed Setanta Sports Canada to Sportsnet World to allow better cross-promotion opportunities.
Rogers announced on the 25th of August 2012, plans to acquire television assets from Score Media, owners of The Score Television Network. This transaction was valued at one hundred sixty-seven million dollars and closed on the 19th of October 2012. While Score Media's digital assets including websites and mobile apps were spun off into another company called theScore Inc., Rogers retained a ten percent interest there. The television properties immediately entered a blind trust under trustee Peter Viner pending final Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission approval.
On the 4th of June 2013, Rogers revealed that The Score would be rebranded as a Sportsnet channel. The network officially changed its name to Sportsnet 360 on the 1st of July 2013. As of 2014, Sportsnet reached eight point two million Canadian homes through this expanded portfolio. The acquisition allowed Rogers to continue running the network as a dedicated sports news service while integrating it with existing regional channels. Rogers planned to reduce the frequency of sports updates during live events as part of proposed amendments approved by regulators in April 2013.
From its launch through 2002, Sportsnet served as the national cable broadcaster for the National Hockey League in Canada. During those years, the network aired Tuesday night games along with coverage of non-Canadian matchups from first-round Stanley Cup Playoffs. On the 26th of November 2013, Rogers Communications announced a twelve-year deal becoming the exclusive national rightsholder for the league again. This agreement displaced TSN and CBC starting with the 2014-15 season and was valued at five point two billion dollars covering both television and digital media rights.
The contract value surpassed the league's most recent United States rights deal with NBC. Alongside existing regional rights, Sportsnet now airs Scotiabank Wednesday Night Hockey alongside traditional Hockey Night in Canada broadcasts. The network holds regional rights to five of seven Canadian franchises including Toronto Maple Leafs on Sportsnet Ontario split with TSN4 beginning in 2014-15. Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers air on Sportsnet West while Vancouver Canucks appear on Sportsnet Pacific. In January 2014, Sportsnet lost Ottawa Senators rights to TSN under a twelve-year English and French language deal.
Sportsnet operates four distinct regional feeds each serving specific geographic areas across Canada. These feeds carry national programming but primarily broadcast sporting events tailored to their local regions. All four channels are available in standard and high-definition formats through cable providers nationwide. While only the local feed appears on analogue cable packages, all four channels remain accessible via digital television services subject to blackout restrictions for out-of-market teams.
Blackouts occur due to league restrictions on teams' regional broadcast rights particularly affecting regional NHL games. Since Winnipeg Jets revived in 2011, regional Flames and Oilers games on Sportsnet West have been blacked out in Manitoba despite being the province's local feed. This policy creates situations where viewers cannot access certain games even when they fall within their designated regional channel area. The system ensures that local broadcasters maintain exclusive rights to their respective markets while preventing cross-regional interference during live broadcasts.
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Common questions
When did Sportsnet officially launch and what was its original name?
Sportsnet officially launched on the 9th of October 1998 under the name CTV Sportsnet. The network began operations with a live broadcast featuring an NHL opening night game between the Philadelphia Flyers and New York Rangers.
Who owns Rogers Sportsnet and when did Rogers gain full control?
Rogers Media acquired full ownership of Sportsnet by purchasing the remaining twenty percent stake held by Fox in 2004. This transaction followed Rogers purchase of CTV's stake in the summer of 2001 after regulatory orders forced divestiture.
What is the value of the exclusive national rights deal Rogers signed for the National Hockey League?
The twelve-year agreement announced on the 26th of November 2013 became the exclusive national rightsholder for the league starting with the 2014-15 season. This contract was valued at five point two billion dollars covering both television and digital media rights.
How many regional feeds does Sportsnet operate and which teams do they cover?
Sportsnet operates four distinct regional feeds serving specific geographic areas across Canada including Toronto Maple Leafs, Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, and Vancouver Canucks. These channels carry national programming but primarily broadcast sporting events tailored to their local regions.
When did Rogers rebrand The Score Television Network to Sportsnet 360?
Rogers revealed plans to rebrand The Score as a Sportsnet channel on the 4th of June 2013 before officially changing its name to Sportsnet 360 on the 1st of July 2013. The acquisition was valued at one hundred sixty-seven million dollars and closed on the 19th of October 2012.