An October for the Ages: Sportsnet Delivers Best Month Ever

TORONTO, Nov. 3, 2015 /CNW/ - Driven by an unforgettable 2015 MLB Postseason and the launch of the 2015-16 NHL season, Sportsnet recorded its best month ever - and the best month ever for a sports TV network in Canada – delivering a 10.3 audience share and an average minute audience of 446,000 viewers (2+) in October. This marks a year-over-year increase of 122%.

Baseball led the way in October, with 21.1 million Canadians watching some part of the 2015 MLB Postseason, and 19.6 million Canadians watching some part of the Blue Jays ALDS and ALCS post-season broadcasts on Sportsnet.

Also in October, Sportsnet was the second most-watched Canadian network (conventional and specialty combined). And, for the third month in a row, Sportsnet was Canada's highest-ranked specialty channel.

Highlights from Sportsnet's record-setting month include:

2015 World Series (Kansas City Royals vs. New York Mets)

• The 2015 World Series was the most-watched World Series in Sportsnet history, delivering an average audience of 876,000
• This marks an increase of 16% over the previous most-watched World Series in 2012 (Detroit Tigers vs. San Francisco Giants; 754,000 viewers) and an increase of 37% over the 2014 World Series (Kansas City Royals vs. San Francisco Giants; 639,000 viewers)

ALCS (Kansas City Royals vs. Toronto Blue Jays)

• The 2015 ALCS delivered an average audience of 3.8 million, marking a 717% increase over the 2014 ALCS featuring Baltimore / Kansas City (466,000 average audience)
• 16.8 million Canadians watched some part of the 2015 ALCS – nearly half of Canada's population (48%)

NLCS (New York Mets vs. Chicago Cubs)

• The 2015 NLCS delivered an average audience of 493,000, marking an increase of 41% over the 2014 NLCS (350,000 average audience)

Sportsnet Central

• The prime-time edition of Sportsnet Central delivered an average audience of 265,000 in October, an increase of 86% year-over-year
• Year-to-date, Sportsnet Central prime-time is attracting an average audience of 196,000, marking an increase of 79% year-over-year

Digital

• October 2015 delivered the highest month for traffic in Sportsnet.ca history. Year-over-year, Sportsnet.ca recorded the following increases:
  • 191% for page views
  • 119% unique visitors
  • 369% in video starts
• Month-over-month the Sportsnet mobile app delivered increases in downloads (174%); page views (56%); and video starts (81%)

TV Source: Numeris, AMA(000), Share of Total TV English & Reach; Jan 1/15 – October 31/15 for YOY (confirmed up to October 18/15), Total Canada. All audiences are 2+, unless otherwise noted. 

Digital Source: Source: Adobe Analytics

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About Sportsnet
Sportsnet connects Canadian sports fans to their favourite teams and athletes, using five platforms: TV, Radio, Print, Online and Mobile. Delivering storytelling on a local, regional, national and global level, the multiplatform brand consists of Sportsnet, sportsnet.ca, Sportsnet 590 The FAN, Sportsnet 960 The FAN, Sportsnet magazine, Sportsnet Mobile and Sportsnet NOW. Sportsnet consists of four regional channels (Sportsnet East, Ontario, West and Pacific), and the nationally-distributed Sportsnet ONE, Sportsnet World, and Sportsnet 360. Sportsnet is the official Canadian NHL national broadcast rights holder, and is also the official regional television broadcast rights holder for the Calgary Flames (including radio rights on Sportsnet 960 The FAN), Edmonton Oilers, Toronto Maple Leafs (including radio rights on Sportsnet 590 The FAN), Vancouver Canucks and Montreal Canadiens. In addition, Sportsnet is also the exclusive Canadian broadcast rights holder of the CHL, including the Memorial Cup. Sportsnet is the Canadian leader in MLB television broadcasts and is home to all 162 Toronto Blue Jays games, plus MLB Playoffs and the World Series. Sportsnet also offers an exciting sports lineup including the NFL, Toronto Raptors, NBA, CIS Vanier Cup, Grand Slam of Curling, IndyCar, the Rogers Cup tennis tournament, and extensive soccer programming including Barclays Premier League, Bundesliga, CONCACAF and Canadian national team matches for men and women. Sportsnet Central is the network's news program, providing regional and national coverage of the day's events in the world of sports.

SOURCE Sportsnet

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