Blood, Sweat, and Tears: CraveTV Launches New Curated Sports Collection Today

TORONTO (November 13, 2015) – From tip-offs to hand-offs and knockouts to buzzer beaters, CraveTV announced today the launch of its new curated Sports Collection. Anchored by an extensive lineup of CFL programming, the new collection launches in advance of the beginning of the CFL Playoffs starting this weekend on TSN. With programming featuring three forms of content – sporting events, documentary films, and scripted dramas – the new Sports Collection showcases some of the world’s greatest athletes, including a five-time NBA champion and two heavyweight champions, as well as the most-influential scripted sports series of all time. As the road to the Grey Cup continues, CraveTV’s Sports Collection proudly features the past seven GREY CUP games (2008-2014), including the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ infamous 13^th man at the 97^th GREY CUP and the Calgary Stampeders incredible win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the 102^nd GREY CUP last year. Additionally, the collection includes JOURNEY TO THE GREY CUP, which chronicles the rise of each Grey Cup champion from 2009 – 2014, and ENGRAVED ON A NATION, the multiple award-winning, eight-part TSN original documentary series celebrating the most iconic players, teams, and moments in CFL history. The collection also showcases a thrilling slate of HBO programming, including MUHAMMAD ALI’S GREATEST FIGHT, along with the SHOWTIME documentary KOBE BRYANT’S MUSE. As well, the collection includes scripted series such as Aaron Sorkin’s cult hit SPORTS NIGHT and the critically acclaimed phenomenon FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS. Also, on deck to start streaming on Friday, Dec. 4 is the SHOWTIME documentary film I AM GIANT: VICTOR CRUZ, as well as SHOWTIME documentary series A SEASON WITH NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL. Sports Collection Highlights: A SEASON WITH NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL This documentary series offers an intimate look at Notre Dame’s football team over the course of a season. Each episode shows the student athletes as they balance school and football, prepare and practice under head coach Brian Kelly, and ultimately, as they leave everything on the field on Saturday. ENGRAVED ON A NATION This TSN original documentary series shows how the CFL has helped shaped Canada’s identity. It tackles the most iconic players and moments in CFL history, how football played an important role in times of political crisis, and more. The series won multiple awards, including the Canadian Screen Award for Best Documentary Series. FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS There is no other sports TV series like it. The acclaimed, Emmy Award^®-winning drama delves into the fictional community in Dillon, Texas where high school football is everything. Kyle Chandler, Connie Britton, Taylor Kitsch, Aimee Teegarden, and Minka Kelly star in what HBO’s Bill Simmons calls “the greatest sports-related show ever made.” I AM GIANT: VICTOR CRUZ This SHOWTIME documentary chronicles the rise of Victor Cruz, from undrafted, to star wide receiver with the New York Giants. It also gives viewers a closer look at the devastating injury, a torn patellar tendon, and his journey back to the NFL. KOBE BRYANT’S MUSE This SHOWTIME documentary offers a unique and revealing look at five-time NBA champion and 17-time NBA All-Star, Kobe Bryant. The documentary examines Bryant in the present, as an aging superstar, but also during his formative high school years and early NBA career. MIKE TYSON: THE UNDISPUTED TRUTH Directed by Spike Lee, this HBO Film showcases Mike Tyson as he takes to the stage in his one-man show. Tyson provides the audience with an intimate look at his troubled childhood, his marriage, and various legal issues. MUHAMMAD ALI’S GREATEST FIGHT The 2013 HBO film focuses on Ali’s great fight outside the ring: his refusal to enter the Vietnam War. It stars Academy Award^® -winner Christopher Plummer, Frank Langella (Frost/Nixon), and Danny Glover (Lethal Weapon). ON FREDDIE ROACH This six-episode HBO documentary series dives into the world of trainer and former boxer, Freddie Roach. Roach coached a number of champions in both WBC and UFC, including Manny Pacquiao and Georges St-Pierre. SPORTS NIGHT A staple on lists of TV series-cancelled-too-soon, SPORTS NIGHT is created by Aaron Sorkin and stars Josh Charles (THE GOOD WIFE, MASTERS OF SEX) and Peter Krause (SIX FEET UNDER, PARENTHOOD), as the anchors of a nightly sports highlight program. The new Sports Collection joins CraveTV’s existing popular collections of premium programming including: The Showtime Collection, The HBO Collection, Documentaries, Music, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Teen Drama, and much more.

– 30 –