Sportsnet, TSN2 and Setanta Reach Agreement on Barclays Leauge Season

[jasonm]

Sportsnet, TSN2 and Setanta Reach Agreement on Barclays Leauge Season

Rogers Sportsnet, TSN2 and Setanta Canada have come to terms on a multi-year agreement that will give the three networks Canadian broadcast rights to exclusive England's Barclays Premier League matches over the next three seasons.

Barclays Premier League is widely regarding as one of the top soccer leagues in the world and is also one of the most-watched. Made up of 20 member clubs, the English-based league includes some of the most popular teams in the world of soccer such as Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal and more.

TSN2 will feature the early Saturday morning matches, (7:30 a.m. ET) and the Monday afternoon matches, (3 p.m. ET). The remainder of the schedule will be shared between Rogers Sportsnet and Setanta Canada. Details on the Barclays Premier League broadcast schedule for the three networks will be confirmed in August.

[masster]

Who actually owns the EPL rights in Canada? I believe it is Rogers Sportsnet which also owns Setanta Canada. Am I right?

So TSN2 gets 2 of the 10 matches a week (although there isn't a Monday game every week). I assume Sportsnet will go back to having 2 or 3 games. That leaves Setanta with 5 or 6 per week instead of the 8 that they had last year.

I'm sad to see the Score go. I hated having the ticker at the bottom of the screen, but I thought the group at the Score did a great job with the games. I believe they have gotten the rights to Serie A next year, so it will be interesting to see what they do with that.

[masster]

It looks like TSN2 got the games as a concession from Rogers. Really interesting article here about what is going on behind the scenes in sports broadcasting.

http://www.truthandrumours.net/2010/05/20/rogers-communications-how-it-muscles-the-competition/