TSN and RDS Announce Multi-Year Rights Deal with Rugby Canada

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 TORONTO (June 11, 2013) – TSN and RDS announced today they have reached an exclusive, multi-year, multimedia rights agreement with Rugby Canada, making TSN and RDS the official broadcasters of Rugby Canada.  As part of the deal, TSN and RDS will broadcast several international events each year, including Rugby World Cup qualifiers, international friendlies, and the upcoming RUGBY WORLD CUP SEVENS 2013.

 TSN and RDS are also the exclusive Canadian broadcasters of the Rugby World Cup 2015 in England.

 
“As we saw during the recent World Cup, more and more Canadian sports fans have fallen in love with rugby and are specifically drawn to the grit and determination of Canada’s national team,” said Shawn Redmond, Vice-President of Programming, TSN. “We are incredibly proud to become the exclusive home of Rugby Canada and look forward to showcasing Canada’s men’s rugby team as they prepare to take on the world at the Rugby World Cup 2015.”

 “Rugby Canada is proud to partner with TSN and RDS as the official broadcasters of Canadian Rugby,” said Graham Brown, Chief Executive Officer, Rugby Canada. “With Canada competing in the world’s top rugby events, including the men’s and women’s Rugby World Cups, Pan-American Games and summer internationals, we’re excited to have an exclusive, multimedia rights agreement with Canada’s leading specialty channels to bring world-class rugby to our dedicated supporters and a legion of new fans across the country.”

Canada vs. Ireland – Saturday, June 15 at 8 p.m. ET on TSN
TSN’s live Rugby Canada coverage begins this Saturday (June 15) at 8 p.m. ET when Canada’s men’s rugby team takes on Ireland in an international friendly at BMO Field in Toronto.

Calling all the action are play-by-play commentator Luke Wileman and analyst Brian Spanton, a former member of Canada’s men’s rugby team.

Canada’s national senior men’s team is led by head coach Kieran Crowley and General Manager Gareth Rees. Currently ranked 13^th in the world, Canada’s men’s rugby team includes several players who play club rugby in top tier European leagues, including Jebb Sinclair, Phil Mackenzie, and Taylor Paris.

Upcoming Team Canada Fixtures on TSN

• International friendly: Canada vs. Ireland – Saturday, June 15 at 8 p.m. ET on TSN
• World Cup Qualifying: Canada vs. U.S.A. – Saturday, Aug. 17 at 6:30 p.m. ET on TSN2
• World Cup Qualifying: Canada vs. U.S.A. – Saturday, Aug. 24 at 4 p.m. ET on TSN2
• International friendly: Canada vs. Maori All Blacks – Sunday, Nov. 3 at 1 p.m. ET on TSN

RUGBY WORLD CUP SEVENS 2013
TSN also confirmed today it will also have coverage of the RUGBY WORLD CUP SEVENS 2013 running June 28-30 in Moscow, Russia. Broadcast details to be confirmed shortly. 

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TSN is Canada’s Sports Leader and #1 specialty network. With a broad portfolio of multimedia sports assets, TSN delivers world-class content across industry-leading platforms including TSN2, TSN.ca, TSN Radio and TSN Mobile TV. Official broadcaster of the Grey Cup, IIHF World Junior Championship and FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015, TSN’s slate of live sports coverage includes NHL, CFL, NFL, NBA, MLS, Season of Champions Curling, UEFA Euro 2016, MLB Sunday Night Baseball, Barclays Premier League, Golf’s Majors, NASCAR Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Canadian Tire Series, F1, Grand Slam Tennis, NCAA March Madness, and Skate Canada events. TSN is a division of Bell Media, which is owned by BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE), Canada’s largest communications company.

For More Information:
Greg McIsaac, (w) 416.384.5180, (c) 416.458.3591, greg.mcisaac@bellmedia.ca
Renee Rouse, (w) 416.384.7599, (c) 416.428.4807, renee.rouse@bellmedia.ca
Dimitri Bariamis, (w) 416.384.5665, (c) 416.575.2601, dimitri.bariamis@bellmedia.ca

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