Bell Media announced today an extension of the industry-leading TSN brand with the launch of local TSN Radio stations in the Montreal and Winnipeg markets. With a continued focus on local sports, THE TEAM 990 in Montreal is being rebranded as TSN Radio 990 and Sports Radio 1290 in Winnipeg becomes TSN Radio 1290. The stations will debut just in time for the launch of the NHL season on Wednesday, Oct. 5.
Both TSN stations will feature extensive live NHL hockey coverage with TSN Radio 990 an official broadcaster of the Montreal Canadiens and TSN Radio 1290 the home of the Winnipeg Jets. TSN Radio 990 and TSN Radio 1290 will be available nationally online at TSN.ca and on TSN Mobile.
"We are always looking to strengthen and extend the TSN brand by continuing to bring Canadians industry-leading sports content wherever they are. TSN Radio and its local focus has quickly made a significant impact on the Toronto landscape and we are looking forward to doing the same in the key Montreal and Winnipeg markets," said Stewart Johnston, President of TSN. "TSN Radio 990 and 1290 will each launch with NHL broadcast rights - the ultimate in local sports content. Combining TSN's resources and leadership with these already established local stations will be a huge win for sports fans."
In addition to its local sports coverage, TSN Radio 990 and TSN Radio 1290 will leverage the natural synergies already in place including TSN's bureaus in Montreal and Winnipeg along with TSN's regional television packages for the Canadiens and Jets games. The two radio stations will also utilize TSN's all-star roster of sports broadcasters, experts, analysts and Insiders, including James Duthie, Bob McKenzie, Darren Dreger, Pierre LeBrun, Ray Ferraro, Marc Crawford, Dave Randorf, Brian Williams, Chris Schultz, Matt Dunigan, Jock Climie, Dave Naylor and Michael Landsberg.
"This is an exciting time and a coming of age for our Montreal and Winnipeg sports stations. Working with TSN to acquire long-term radio broadcast rights for the Canadiens and Jets this summer really put THE TEAM 990 and Sports Radio 1290 in an incredible position for growth," said Chris Gordon, President of Bell Media Radio. "Combining our local coverage with the TSN brand and its team of experts takes us to a new level and instantly makes these stations the leading voice in local sports."
TSN Radio 990 in Montreal
In Montreal, THE TEAM 990 becomes TSN Radio 990 giving fans extensive local coverage of the city's sports scene all day long, along with exclusive English-language radio broadcast rights to all Montreal Canadiens games. Sports fans in the greater Montreal area can access the station at 990 on the AM dial.
In addition to being the home of the Montreal Canadiens and the Montreal Impact, TSN Radio 990's weekday programming is a full slate of Montreal-focused programming including the popular Melnick in the Afternoon show with Mitch Melnick and The Morning Show with Denis Casavant, Elliott Price and Shaun Starr.
TSN Radio 1290 in Winnipeg
In Winnipeg, Sports Radio 1290 becomes TSN Radio 1290 - the exclusive radio home of the Winnipeg Jets. The station will focus on all major sporting news coming out of Manitoba with an emphasis on the Winnipeg Jets, Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Winnipeg Goldeyes. Fans in the greater Winnipeg area can access the station on 1290 on the AM dial.
TSN Radio 1290's weekday programming line-up is anchored by Winnipeg's most popular and influential sports radio show HUSTLER & LAWLESS with Winnipeg Free Press columnist Gary Lawless and Andrew (Hustler) Paterson. In the morning, sports fans can wake up with THE BIG SHOW with Jets PA announcer Jay Richardson and former long-time Winnipeg Blue Bombers kicker Troy Westwood.
All TSN Radio stations will work closely with Bell Media's market-leading all-sports radio stations in Vancouver and Ottawa.
