Sportsnet Acquires Exclusive Canadian English-Language Multimedia Rights to 2016 World Cup of Hockey

– Agreement with NHL and NHLPA includes coverage of all tournament games across television, online and mobile –

TORONTO, March 4, 2015 /CNW/ - The greatest hockey players in the game today will be descending on Toronto in 2016, and Sportsnet will be providing Canadians with some of the best seats in the house. Announced today in partnership with the National Hockey League and National Hockey League Players' Association, Sportsnet has acquired the exclusive Canadian English-language multimedia rights for the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.

The agreement includes television, online and mobile rights for the two-week tournament. All games of the tournament will be broadcast. Sportsnet will announce additional details at a later date.

"Without a doubt, this tournament is going to be one of the biggest and best events in 2016," said Scott Moore, President, Sportsnet & NHL Properties, Rogers. "The country's passion for the game has never been stronger, and it will be incredible for Canadians to experience this event on home ice. This world-class event will enrich our industry-leading hockey offering and continue our strong partnerships with the NHL and NHLPA."

Returning after a 12-year hiatus, 2016 World Cup of Hockey will be played at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto in September and October of 2016. The tournament is a joint effort of the NHLPA and the NHL, in cooperation with the International Ice Hockey Federation. This marks the first time Sportsnet will broadcast the World Cup of Hockey. TVA Sports, Sportsnet's French-language partner, has acquired the Canadian French-language multimedia rights, and will be the exclusive Francophone broadcaster of the tournament.

"The 2016 World Cup of Hockey will be a spectacular moment for our League and our players," NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said. "We know Sportsnet and TVA Sports will capture the excitement, the drama and every moment of what will be outstanding hockey for our fans across Canada."

"We are excited to reach an agreement, along with the NHL, for Sportsnet and TVA Sports to broadcast the 2016 World Cup of Hockey – a two-week competition that will feature over 150 of the top hockey players in the world," said Don Fehr, NHLPA Executive Director. "Hockey fans from coast-to-coast in Canada will experience comprehensive coverage of the players participating in this best-on-best tournament."

The 2016 World Cup of Hockey will feature national teams from the United States, Canada, Russia, Sweden, Finland and the Czech Republic, as well as two all-star teams - one made up of the top 23-and-under North American players and the other featuring the top NHL players from the European countries that aren't represented by national teams. In total, the 2016 World Cup of Hockey is expected to attract more than 150 of the world's best hockey players from the NHL and internationally.

Currently in the first season of a 12-year broadcast and multimedia agreement with the NHL, Sportsnet is the official Canadian NHL national rights holder, delivering more than 500 national and regional regular season NHL games across nine networks, including CBC, City, Sportsnet (East, Ontario, West, and Pacific), Sportsnet ONE, Sportsnet 360 and FX Canada. The NHL on Sportsnet has exclusive Canadian broadcast coverage of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Stanley Cup Final, NHL All-Star Game, NHL Draft Lottery, NHL Draft, and the NHL Awards. Sportsnet is also the official regional television broadcast rights holder of the Vancouver Canucks, Edmonton Oilers, Toronto Maple Leafs (including radio rights on Sportsnet 590 The FAN), Montreal Canadiens and Calgary Flames (including radio rights on Sportsnet 960 The FAN).

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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, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, 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 Rogers Media