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'''TSN2''' is a secondary feed of the [[Canada|Canadian]] [[English language]] [[Category C services|Category C]] [[specialty channel]] [[The Sports Network]] (TSN), owned by CTV Specialty Television Inc., a joint venture of [[Bell Media]] (80%) and [[ESPN]] (20%). It was launched in its current form on August 29, 2008.
'''TSN2''' is a secondary feed of the [[Canada|Canadian]] [[English language]] [[Category C services|Category C]] [[specialty channel]] [[The Sports Network]] (TSN), owned by CTV Specialty Television Inc., a joint venture of [[Bell Media]] (80%) and [[ESPN]] (20%). It was launched in its current form on August 29, 2008.


TSN and TSN2 operate under a single [[Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission]] (CRTC) licence,<ref name="tsnkick" /> which originally meant that TSN2 was restricted to a few hours of live programming a day, with all other programs on a three-hour [[broadcast delay|tape delay]] from TSN's main feed. With the early 2010 implementation of new conditions of licence from the CRTC which permit multiple feeds with no limits on additional programming,<ref name="crtc-streamline" /> the tape delay is no longer observed, with other original or [[rerun|repeat]] programming from the TSN and [[ESPN]] libraries airing alongside live events.
TSN and TSN2 operate under a single [[Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission]] (CRTC) licence,<ref name="tsnkick" /> which originally meant that TSN2 was restricted to a few hours of live programming a day, with all other programs on a three-hour [[broadcast delay|tape delay]] from TSN's main feed. With the early 2010 implementation of new conditions of licence from the CRTC which permit multiple feeds with no limits on additional programming,<ref name="crtc-streamline" /> the tape delay is no longer observed, and other original or [[rerun|repeat]] programming from the TSN and ESPN libraries air alongside live events.


TSN2, unlike the main TSN feed, is only available to be distributed by [[digital cable]] and [[direct broadcast satellite|satellite]] rather than analogue cable, although it has been carried by some cable operators on analogue on a short-term "preview" basis.
TSN2, unlike the main TSN feed, is only available to be distributed by [[digital cable]] and [[direct broadcast satellite|satellite]] rather than analogue cable, although it has been carried by some cable operators on analogue on a short-term "preview" basis.

Revision as of 03:03, 20 January 2012

The Sports Network 2 (TSN2)
LandKanada
HauptsitzToronto, Ontario
Ownership
OwnerCTV Specialty Television Inc. (Bell Media 80%/ESPN 20%)

TSN2 is a secondary feed of the Canadian English language Category C specialty channel The Sports Network (TSN), owned by CTV Specialty Television Inc., a joint venture of Bell Media (80%) and ESPN (20%). It was launched in its current form on August 29, 2008.

TSN and TSN2 operate under a single Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) licence,[1] which originally meant that TSN2 was restricted to a few hours of live programming a day, with all other programs on a three-hour tape delay from TSN's main feed. With the early 2010 implementation of new conditions of licence from the CRTC which permit multiple feeds with no limits on additional programming,[2] the tape delay is no longer observed, and other original or repeat programming from the TSN and ESPN libraries air alongside live events.

TSN2, unlike the main TSN feed, is only available to be distributed by digital cable and satellite rather than analogue cable, although it has been carried by some cable operators on analogue on a short-term "preview" basis.

History

TSN first launched what it then called its "alternate feed" in 1997 as a result of occasional regional blackouts for TSN programming in some areas. In its original iteration, the alternate feed could only air on analog cable in specific areas, replacing the national service. Alternate programming could make up a maximum of 10% of the TSN schedule — an average of 2.4 hours a day.[3]

In fall 2006, TSN was allowed by the CRTC to air multiple feeds nationally,[4] with the alternate feed only available on digital platforms, as had previously been permitted for Rogers Sportsnet's regional feeds. In essence this meant that for digital cable and satellite subscribers, TSN now had two channels on which to air programming. The broadcaster's use of the alternate feed changed significantly following this decision, as the alternate feed began to carry a much larger number of live events that could be aired nationally when the main feed was carrying another ongoing event.[5]

Launch of TSN2

TSN2 logo used from 2008-2010.

The Globe and Mail announced on August 6, 2008 that the TSN alternate feed would be replaced by a new network known as TSN2. The new channel promised "major league programming" throughout the day, and would have extensive coverage of auto racing and tennis. Unlike the existing TSN alternate feed, which was available free of charge, service providers (and potentially, in turn, consumers) would be required to pay extra in order to carry TSN2, and providers that had not yet agreed to carry the new channel were required to stop carrying the alternate feed in August 2008. Unlike the alternate feed, TSN2 would also be available in high-definition.[6] Initially, TSN2 was restricted to acting as a timeshift channel for TSN, with most non-live programming being aired on a three hour tape delay from TSN proper, allowing TSN2 viewers in the Pacific Time Zone to watch many programs at the same local time as TSN viewers in the Eastern Time Zone. However, as had been the case with the alternate feed, up to 10% of the TSN2 schedule could consist of alternative live sporting events that cannot air on TSN due to other programming commitments.

A separate TSN2 channel had been approved by the CRTC in 2000,[7] but was never launched due to a prohibition on live programming. The authority for this channel expired in 2004 and never re-applied for, so the present TSN2 is not directly connected to the 2000 licence.[8]

The new channel was launched on August 29, 2008 at 7 p.m. EST, with live coverage of the US Open tennis tournament continued from TSN, followed by an encore presentation of a Friday night CFL game aired earlier on TSN.

TSN2 HD logo

TSN2 HD, a high definition simulcast of TSN2, launched simultaneous to that of the standard-definition channel.

Since February 1, 2010, TSN has been subject to revised conditions of licence that allow TSN2 to operate autonomously from TSN's main channel.[2]

Programmierung

Upon its launch, TSN2 promised that it would air over 800 hours per year of live events, and that it would also feature repeat broadcasts of live events that were shown by TSN earlier in the night. Repeat broadcasts of TSN's original programming (such as SportsCentre) would fill out the schedule.[9]

TSN2's alternative programming typically consists of NHL games, including alternative Stanley Cup Playoff games when TSN proper is carrying another playoff game; NBA games featuring the Toronto Raptors; and NASCAR Nationwide Series races. However, it has also included tennis, boxing, baseball and Major League Lacrosse coverage.

On October 22, 2008, it was announced that TSN2 would air 25 Toronto Raptors basketball games during the 2008-2009 NBA season. However, due to the lack of carriage agreements at the time, these games were not available to cable subscribers in the team's home market of Toronto and other regions served by Rogers, as well as Vidéotron subscribers in Quebec.[10]

On May 19, 2010, it was announced that Rogers Sportsnet & TSN2 had signed a multi-year agreement whereby TSN would acquire the rights to air English Premier League soccer matches. Under the terms of the deal, TSN2 acquires the rights to 1 early Saturday morning match and all Monday matches.[11]

On August 11, 2010, TSN2 announced it had acquired the rights to air UEFA Champions League Soccer matches. Under the terms of the deal, TSN & TSN2 will combine to air 20 matches per year for the next two years starting with the 2010-2011 season.[12]

On August 20, 2010, TSN2 announced it had signed a multi-year agreement with Canada Basketball to become the exclusive Canadian broadcaster of various international basketball tournaments. Under the terms of the 2-year deal, TSN2 will be the exclusive broadcaster of the 2010 FIBA World Championship, 2010 FIBA World Championship for Women, FIBA Americas Championship 2011 & FIBA Americas Championship for Women 2011.[13]

For its 2010 edition, TSN and TSN2 became the new Canadian broadcasters of the Spengler Cup hockey tournament. TSN2 would broadcast most of the tournament's games.[14]

On October 27, 2011, Bell Media, TSN and TSN2 announced that they had secured broadcast rights for FIFA soccer from 2015 to 2022. The rights include the 2018 FIFA World Cup, 2022 FIFA World Cup and 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup.[15]

Carriage

Providers that carry TSN2 currently include Access Communications, Bell Aliant, Bell TV, Cogeco, EastLink, Rogers Cable, SaskTel, Shaw Cable, Shaw Direct, Vidéotron, and a number of independent cablesystems.[16]

Rogers Cable, which serves much of the Greater Toronto Area, notably did not carry TSN2 from its launch, leaving cable viewers without the ability to view the select Toronto Raptors NBA games TSN2 aired in the team's own home market in the season following the launch.[10] After months of negotiations, TSN2 was finally added to the lineup in May 2009.[17] The apparent impetus for the deal was a planned broadcast of three key mid-May games between the Toronto Blue Jays and Boston Red Sox (at that point the top two teams in the AL East) on TSN2; the Blue Jays are owned by Rogers Communications, as is Rogers Cable.[18]

Regulatory status

The Globe and Mail reported on September 15, 2008, that the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (who have a licence for CBC SportsPlus, a sports channel focusing on Canadian athletes with a particular interest on amateur sports) and Score Media (owners of The Score, whose ability to air live programming is restricted due to being licensed as a sports news service akin to ESPNews) made a complaint to the CRTC about TSN2's exploitation of a rule imposed by the CRTC legally allowing timeshifted feeds of channels for the west coast, subject to regulatory requirements restricting the amount of alternate programming that can be shown on alternate feeds. John Levy of Score Media claimed that TSN2 should not be allowed to sell new advertising on the network based on their interpretation of the rules.[1]

However, these complaints were ultimately dismissed by the CRTC.[19]

Soon after TSN2 was launched, the CRTC announced a proposal to remove genre exclusivity protections for "mainstream sports" and "national news" channels in the near future. As a byproduct of the decision, TSN would be allowed to use streamlined conditions of licence which states that the service may offer "multiple feeds", without any restrictions on alternate programming.[20] TSN was officially permitted to use these streamlined conditions of licence on February 1, 2010.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b "Rivals want TSN2 kicked out of game". The Globe and Mail. September 15, 2008. Retrieved 2008-09-18. [Access restricted]
  2. ^ a b c Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2010-49, 2010-02-01
  3. ^ "CRTC Decision 97-290". Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission. July 3, 1997. Retrieved 24 December 2009.
  4. ^ Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2006-620
  5. ^ "CRTC Decision 2006-620". Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission. November 9, 2006. Retrieved 24 December 2009.
  6. ^ "TSN getting set to launch companion channel". The Globe and Mail. 2008-08-06. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
  7. ^ CRTC Decision 2000-720
  8. ^ "Final extension" approved in Decision CRTC 2003-599 and expired November 2004
  9. ^ TSN press release, August 14, 2008
  10. ^ a b "TSN2 gets 25 Raptors games". The National Post. October 22, 2008. Retrieved 2008-12-20.
  11. ^ http://www.ctvmedia.ca/tsn/releases/release.asp?id=12573&num=3&yyyy=2010
  12. ^ http://www.ctvmedia.ca/tsn/releases/release.asp?id=12808&yyyy=2010
  13. ^ http://www.ctvmedia.ca/tsn/releases/release.asp?id=12838&yyyy=2010M
  14. ^ "Coverage of Spengler Cup begins Dec. 27 on TSN and TSN2". TSN.com. Retrieved 9 January 2011.
  15. ^ "Bell Media lands deal for FIFA soccer from 2015 through 2022". TSN. 2011-10-27. Retrieved 2011-10-27.
  16. ^ TSN2 channel listings, retrieved May 17, 2009
  17. ^ TSN2 Available to Rogers Customers, Rogers press release, May 17, 2009
  18. ^ TSN2 to Launch on Rogers Cable on Tuesday, TSN press release, May 17, 2009
  19. ^ Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2008-352, December 12, 2008
  20. ^ "Broadcasting Public Notice CRTC 2008-103". Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission. October 30, 2008. Retrieved 2009-03-12.
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