mr.x
Aug 20, 2008, 11:15 PM
CBC gets approval for new sports channel
Last Updated: Wednesday, August 20, 2008 | 1:44 PM ET
CBC Sports
Approval has been granted for a new digital sports channel, tentatively known as CBC Sports Plus, CBC Sports announced Wednesday.
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission approved CBC's application for an all-sports licence for the channel, which will focus in large part on Canadian sporting events, stories and accomplishments.
"We feel this is great news for both CBC and the Canadian sports system," said Scott Moore, executive director for CBC Sports.
"For over 50 years, CBC has been Canada's pre-eminent broadcaster of Canadian sport. We feel with the addition of another platform, we will continue to be a great contributor to Canada's success in sports at all levels.
"Following on the success of our Beijing Olympic coverage, we feel CBC will now be able to make an even more significant contribution to the success of our Canadian athletes."
CBC Sports Plus, a Category 2 digital specialty channel, is expected to feature a mix of professional and amateur sports.
The CBC received the approval of its board of governors in January to submit an application for a proposed all-sports channel.
CBC Sports coverage for the remainder of 2008 includes:
* The Beijing Olympics.
* Paralympic Summer Games.
* CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada.
* BMO Toronto FC.
* President’s Choice Raptors Basketball.
* Rogers Blue Jays Baseball.
* Comprehensive FIFA coverage.
* Pontiac Alpine Ski Series.
* Capital One Grand Slam of Curling.
* Canadian and International Championship Figure Skating.
* Golden League Track and Field.
I think this is GREAT NEWS....it's something that TSN and Sportsnet won't do, show amateur sports.....this new channel will promote amateur sports. So much for TSN2.
HOWEVER, the only problem I have with this is that it's CATEGORY 2, exclusive to digital and not required by cable companies to carry it. What good is that? This is half-assed.
Not to mention that CBC has lost some of the brightest people in sports like Brian Williams, Cuthbert and it can't even keep the HNIC theme song. Not to mention they've lost the 2010 and 2012 Games, Grey Cup/CFL, and curling rights to other networks AND will likely lose the NHL rights once 2013 rolls around.
And I'm also not sure where they're going to find the money.....their $1.4-billion annual budget is definitely not enough and has stayed the same for the last 15 years. That budget is already quite diluted over internet, radio, tv, and Newsworld.......and especially on the main tv network, where you'll find some of the most crappiest programs around. And a few years ago, they had to make quite a bit of layoffs in the sports department.
Last Updated: Wednesday, August 20, 2008 | 1:44 PM ET
CBC Sports
Approval has been granted for a new digital sports channel, tentatively known as CBC Sports Plus, CBC Sports announced Wednesday.
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission approved CBC's application for an all-sports licence for the channel, which will focus in large part on Canadian sporting events, stories and accomplishments.
"We feel this is great news for both CBC and the Canadian sports system," said Scott Moore, executive director for CBC Sports.
"For over 50 years, CBC has been Canada's pre-eminent broadcaster of Canadian sport. We feel with the addition of another platform, we will continue to be a great contributor to Canada's success in sports at all levels.
"Following on the success of our Beijing Olympic coverage, we feel CBC will now be able to make an even more significant contribution to the success of our Canadian athletes."
CBC Sports Plus, a Category 2 digital specialty channel, is expected to feature a mix of professional and amateur sports.
The CBC received the approval of its board of governors in January to submit an application for a proposed all-sports channel.
CBC Sports coverage for the remainder of 2008 includes:
* The Beijing Olympics.
* Paralympic Summer Games.
* CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada.
* BMO Toronto FC.
* President’s Choice Raptors Basketball.
* Rogers Blue Jays Baseball.
* Comprehensive FIFA coverage.
* Pontiac Alpine Ski Series.
* Capital One Grand Slam of Curling.
* Canadian and International Championship Figure Skating.
* Golden League Track and Field.
I think this is GREAT NEWS....it's something that TSN and Sportsnet won't do, show amateur sports.....this new channel will promote amateur sports. So much for TSN2.
HOWEVER, the only problem I have with this is that it's CATEGORY 2, exclusive to digital and not required by cable companies to carry it. What good is that? This is half-assed.
Not to mention that CBC has lost some of the brightest people in sports like Brian Williams, Cuthbert and it can't even keep the HNIC theme song. Not to mention they've lost the 2010 and 2012 Games, Grey Cup/CFL, and curling rights to other networks AND will likely lose the NHL rights once 2013 rolls around.
And I'm also not sure where they're going to find the money.....their $1.4-billion annual budget is definitely not enough and has stayed the same for the last 15 years. That budget is already quite diluted over internet, radio, tv, and Newsworld.......and especially on the main tv network, where you'll find some of the most crappiest programs around. And a few years ago, they had to make quite a bit of layoffs in the sports department.