DAILY NEWS Jun 15, 2006 10:10 AM - 0 comments

TSN and Curling Association Sign Broadcast Deal

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TSN and the Canadian Curling Association today announced a landmark six-year broadcast and multimedia deal, providing TSN with exclusive Canadian rights to Season of Champions events each year, making TSN the one and only home of curling in Canada. The deal commences in 2008 and runs through the 2013/14 season, fortifying TSN's long-standing partnership with the CCA that dates back to the network's inception in 1984.

Under terms of the deal, TSN will carry exclusive coverage of all eight Season of Champions events, including the semis and finals. In addition, along with afternoons and evenings, viewers will be treated to the return of the morning draws. Fans can turn to TSN for complete coverage of the Tim Hortons Brier, Scotties Tournament of Hearts, Ford World Men's and Women's Curling Championships, as well as timely coverage of the 2009 Tim Hortons Canadian Curling Trials leading into the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver. The opportunity also exists to carry select matches on CTV.

"TSN has always been a staunch supporter of curling in Canada, and this deal further establishes curling as a cornerstone of the network's programming leading up to the 2010 Olympic Games and beyond," said Phil King, President, TSN. "TSN's commitment to the sport for the past two decades has been paramount in making curling the TV-friendly broadcast it is today and helped put curling on the map in Canada."

"Unprecedented coverage and the return of morning draws will be embraced by our fans and viewers across the country and around the world," said Dave Parkes, CEO, Canadian Curling Association. "This agreement and a strengthened relationship with TSN ensures a positive, exciting and long-term future for our sport."

As announced, the new six-year deal includes a comprehensive suite of multimedia rights, including broadband, mobile, video-on-demand, interactive television, podcasts and even rights for radio broadcasts. TSN intends to fully leverage these rights to continue in its efforts to build and grow Canada's curling audiences, reaching out for the first time to new and existing fans on multi-platforms. For the first time ever, Canadians will be able to watch Canada's national curling championships outside the country on the broadband platform.

TSN has confirmed that its acclaimed curling broadcast team of Vic Rauter, Linda Moore and Ray Turnbull will continue to call the action for all of the network's curling coverage. Over the years, the trio has created a broad and supportive fan base and their names have become synonymous with curling in Canada.

"Ford of Canada is proud to have been a sponsor of Canadian curling for the past 12 years and we look forward to our joint partnership with TSN, continuing to build the sport of curling in Canada and encouraging participation from coast to coast," said David Greenberg, Vice-President, General Marketing, Ford Motor Company of Canada Limited.

"Scott Paper is excited by the return of morning broadcasts and the stability this new television agreement will provide as curling and the CCA build toward 2010 and what many believe will be the best Winter Olympics ever. We applaud the CCA for this proactive move and look forward to working with the CCA and TSN over the term of this agreement," said John McClelland, Corporate Vice-President, Consumer Business, Scott Paper Ltd.

"Tim Hortons is proud to support curling communities across the country," said David McMullen, Vice-President, Regional Marketing and National Promotions, Tim Hortons. "It has been exciting to witness the growth of the sport from community rinks to national and international competitions, such as the Tim Hortons Canadian Curling Trials and Tim Hortons Brier. The Canadian Curling Association's new partnership with TSN offers a great opportunity to continue to bring curling to Canadian audiences coast to coast. We look forward to being part of the action this winter."

Tim Hortons Brier - Teams from each province and territory compete for the title of Canadian men's champion and the right to represent Canada at the Ford World Men's Curling Championships

Scotties Tournament of Hearts - Teams from across Canada take on the defending Team Canada champion for the Canadian women's curling championship title
Ford World Women's Curling Championship - 12 countries hit the ice to battle for international female curling supremacy (TSN will televise all draws featuring Canada as well as the semifinals and finals when the event is held in Canada. When the tournament is played abroad, TSN will televise a minimum of the semifinals and finals)

Ford World Men's Curling Championship - 12 countries battle to the button to decide the world's best men's curling team (TSN will televise all draws featuring Canada as well as the semifinals and finals when the event is held in Canada. When the tournament is played abroad, TSN will televise a minimum of the semifinals and finals)

Tim Hortons Canadian Curling Trials - Arguably the biggest event on the 2009 curling calendar, the Trials features the country's elite curlers competing for the right to represent Canada at the Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver 2010
Continental Cup of Curling - A unique Ryder Cup-style tourney with players competing in men's, women's and mixed events to challenge the skills of the game's premier shot-makers

M&M Meat Shops Canadian Juniors - An annual event which determines the best under-20 men's and women's curling teams in Canada (TSN will televise Saturday and Sunday final draws)

Strauss Canada Cup of Curling - Twenty of Canada's top men's and women's curling teams battle to the button (TSN will televise Friday, Saturday and Sunday draws, including the final)

Leading into the 2008/09 curling season, TSN will continue to televise afternoon and evening draws for the first seven of nine days (Saturday through Friday) from the Scotties Tournament of Hearts, Tim Hortons Brier and the Ford World Curling Championships.

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