CBC, TSN, Sportsnet Collaborate for Comprehensive Canadian Winter Games Coverage

In a historic collaboration, CBC, TSN, and Sportsnet have teamed up to provide extensive coverage of the upcoming Winter Olympic Games in Canada. This partnership aims to give Canadians unrivaled access to Olympic events, particularly focusing on the nation’s favorite sport—hockey.

Collaboration Among Major Broadcasters

During the Olympic season, the three leading broadcasting networks join forces to enhance their coverage. CBC has held exclusive rights to the Olympics and Paralympics since 2014. For the current Games, CBC has sublicensed English-language broadcasting rights to Bell Media’s TSN and Rogers Media’s Sportsnet.

Hockey Coverage Highlights

• Simulcasting of both men’s and women’s hockey games on all three networks.
• Chris Cuthbert from Sportsnet will provide play-by-play commentary for the men’s games.
• Women’s games will feature Kenzie Lalonde of TSN and two-time Olympian Cheryl Pounder.

Chris Wilson, CBC’s executive director of sports and Olympics, highlighted that these games will foster a sense of unity among Canadians. Every Canadian hockey match will be aired for as long as the teams remain in the tournament.

Aiming for Record Audiences

Historically, the Olympic Games have attracted huge viewing figures. The 2014 gold medal match between Canada and Sweden reached an average of 8.5 million viewers. With this precedent, CBC anticipates significant audience growth during the upcoming Games.

Strategic Objectives for Each Broadcaster

While the broadcasters unite for comprehensive coverage, each has distinct strategic goals. TSN and Sportsnet view their Olympic broadcasting as a reinforcement of their NHL programming. Both channels are also set to produce their own studio shows throughout the Games.

Enhancing Viewer Engagement

CBC plans to leverage this collaboration to promote its streaming service, Gem. Viewers can sign up to access live events and on-demand content, mirroring strategies used by global counterparts like NBC. Gem will feature all live events from the Games, complemented by 22 hours of daily coverage on CBC Television.

Promoting Lesser-Known Sports

Aside from hockey, CBC is committed to showcasing a variety of Olympic sports. Wilson noted their continuous coverage of numerous events throughout the year and expressed hope that the Olympics would spotlight these less-publicized sports.

Connecting with Younger Audiences

Recognizing shifts in the media landscape, CBC aims to engage younger viewers. Plans include promoting Olympic highlights through platforms such as YouTube and TikTok. This collaboration among CBC, TSN, and Sportsnet is designed to ensure that Canadians can fully enjoy the excitement of the Winter Olympics while nurturing a new generation of sports enthusiasts.