CFL Scores Record Audiences on TSN

    
    - CFL averaged more than 600,000 viewers in 2009 regular season

    - 2009 Grey Cup Playoffs begin this Sunday on TSN -
    

TORONTO , Nov. 9 /CNW/ - TSN has set a new benchmark for CFL television audiences this season. According to data from BBM Canada , the overall average audience for 72 CFL games on TSN this season was 600,000*, marking a 51% increase from last season when the average audience for CFL games was 397,000.

This season, five CFL games recorded audiences with more than one million viewers. The most-watched regular season CFL game ever recorded was the overtime thriller between Saskatchewan and BC on October 24 .

The five most-watched CFL games of the 2009 season are:

    
    -   BC @ Saskatchewan on Oct. 24 (OT) - 1.2 million
    -   Edmonton @ Saskatchewan on Sept. 20 - 1.1 million
    -   Edmonton @ Calgary on Sept. 7 (Labour Day Classic) - 1.09 million
    -   Calgary @ Saskatchewan on Nov 7 (Final weekend) - 1.08 million
    -   Saskatchewan @ BC on Oct. 2 - 1.04 million
    

This year more than 18% of the CFL ON TSN total audience was comprised of 18-34 year olds - up 38% from last season. Female viewers for CFL games have also increased with women now representing 36% of the television audience for CFL ON TSN - up 12 % compared to last season.

Once again, all CFL games were available on demand at TSN.ca. Throughout the regular season TSN.ca registered more than 454,000 different video starts for its full slate of CFL games - a 42% increase compared to last season.

"It's tremendous to see Canadians embracing the CFL ON TSN in such large numbers, week after week," said Mark Cohon, Commissioner of the CFL. "It speaks to the strength of our league, and the quality of TSN's game broadcasts and programming, and makes us all even more excited about the road to the Grey Cup."

Throughout the regular season, TSN delivered extensive and in-depth CFL coverage on multiple programs including SPORTSCENTRE, OFF THE RECORD WITH MICHAEL LANDSBERG and TSN THE REPORTERS WITH DAVE HODGE. TSN.ca once again proved to be the ultimate online destination for CFL fans with extensive, up-to-the minute CFL coverage, CFL games on-demand, stats and scores along with special insights from TSN's panel of CFL experts. TSN also delivered CFL news to fans on the go with TSN MOBILE and text alerts.

"The popularity of the CFL on TSN is a testament to the league's devoted and passionate fans across the country. It also speaks volumes about the level of intense competition and excitement delivered to fans each week by all CFL teams during the regular season. With another thrilling season wrapping up, we are very proud to see such impressive television audiences," said Phil King , President, TSN. "The CFL remains a tremendous broadcast partner and TSN shares the league's commitment to giving fans all-encompassing coverage of their favourite teams and players throughout the CFL season. There is certainly more to come with all playoff games and the 97th Grey Cup on TSN."

* Note - The 2009 average audience reflects a combination of BBM Canada's PPM audience data (introduced Sept 1 ) along with the previous system used to measure television audiences (includes all games between Jul. 1 - Aug. 30, 2009 inclusive).

    
    CFL Playoff Coverage on TSN
    ---------------------------
    

CFL ON TSN continues with all Grey Cup Playoff games beginning this Sunday, November 15 with the East Semifinal featuring the BC @ Hamilton at 1 p.m. ET and then the West Semifinal with Edmonton @ Calgary at 4 p.m. ET . TSN's award-winning CFL broadcast team will be on hand to deliver all of the game action along with extensive game analysis.

TSN's Grey Cup Playoff action continues on Sunday, November 22 with the East Final at 1 p.m. ET followed by the West Final at 4 p.m. ET .

All games will be available in High Definition.

    
    2009 Grey Cup Playoff Schedule
    ------------------------------

    Sunday, November 15
    East Semifinal
    BC @ Hamilton at 1 p.m. ET

    West Semifinal
    Edmonton @ Calgary at 4p.m. ET

    Sunday, November 22
    East Final at 1 p.m. ET
    West Final at 4 p.m. ET
    

Official broadcaster of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and London 2012 Games of the Olympiad, TSN, a division of CTVglobemedia, is Canada's Sports Leader and Canada's most-watched specialty network. TSN's comprehensive broadcast schedule features an exciting lineup of sports including NHL, IIHF, CFL, NFL, NBA, Blue Jays Baseball, Season of Champions Curling, Golf's Majors, F1, NASCAR Sprint Cup, Grand Slam Tennis, Championship Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts events. TSN properties include TSN2, TSN MOBILE and the industry leading sports website TSN.ca. TSN delivers more sports coverage in High Definition than any other network in Canada .

For further information: Greg McIsaac, (w) [phone], (c) [phone], [email protected]; Chobi Liang, (w) [phone], (c) [phone], [email protected]; Simon Bassett, (w) [phone], [email protected]