Sportsnet Announces 12-Year Multiplatform Rights Extension with the Canadian Hockey League

- Landmark agreement includes coverage across television, online and mobile, beginning 2014/15 season -

- Sportsnet to broadcast more than 50 games each season, including CHL playoffs and Memorial Cup -

- TVA Sports to air French-language broadcasts through sub-licensing agreement -

- Reinforces Sportsnet's commitment to hockey fans in Canada -

TORONTO, Feb. 18, 2014 /CNW/ - Sportsnet today announced it has reached a 12-year partnership extension with the Canadian Hockey League through the 2025-26 CHL season, continuing its tradition as the exclusive broadcaster of the CHL and MasterCard Memorial Cup in Canada.

The new agreement, which begins with the 2014/15 season, features a comprehensive suite of multimedia rights including television, online and mobile, delivering more than 50 CHL games each year, including CHL playoff games and the Memorial Cup.

Sportsnet has been broadcasting CHL games since the network's inception in 1998.

"We are committed to serving hockey fans and growing the game of hockey across Canada like never before. In combination with our ground-breaking NHL agreement, this truly cements Sportsnet as Canada's home of hockey," said Scott Moore, President, Sportsnet and NHL, Rogers Media. "Our partnership with the CHL is a strong and important one. Together, we will build on the already strong foundation of our Friday Night Hockey brand, and weave the CHL even deeper into the fabric of Canadian hockey culture. In addition to our game coverage, we will continue to tell the stories of major junior hockey in Canada, build stars, and remain with them on their journey through the NHL."

"This is a very exciting day for the Canadian Hockey League as we continue to grow our relationship with Sportsnet and TVA Sports over the next 12 years," said CHL President David Branch.  "The CHL's partnership with Sportsnet began 16 years ago and in that time the league has enjoyed extraordinary growth by building the brand of our national events and our entire league through Sportsnet's outstanding and passionate nationwide coverage.  We look forward to working together to grow the game of hockey and continue showcasing the league's next wave of talent to the National Hockey League and Canadian Interuniversity Sport for our fans, players, and their families."

In addition, Sportsnet today announced a 12-year sub-licensing agreement with TVA Sports for exclusive French-language multiplatform rights for CHL games, beginning with the 2014/15 season.

"Our partnership with the CHL and QMJHL allows TVA Sports to strengthen its commitment to tomorrow's stars and hockey in Quebec. Over the next 12 years, by presenting major junior hockey and more than 300 NHL games, TVA Sports confirms its position as the number one destination for hockey in Quebec," says Pierre Dion, TVA Group President and CEO. "This new agreement confirms, once more, the great partnership between Sportsnet and TVA Sports which we are very proud."

Today's announcement strengthens Sportsnet's hockey leadership in Canada and complements Rogers's 12-year partnership with the NHL, which also begins with the 2014-15 season. Beginning in 2014-15, Sportsnet is the official national broadcast partner of the CHL and NHL, and is also the regional broadcaster of the Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Vancouver Canucks.

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About the Canadian Hockey League
The Canadian Hockey League is the world's largest development hockey league with 52 Canadian and eight American teams participating in the Ontario Hockey League, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and Western Hockey League. CHL players graduate from high school at a rate higher than the Canadian national average. Last season, more than nine million fans attended CHL games in the regular season, playoffs and at the MasterCard Memorial Cup. The CHL supplies more players to the National Hockey League and Canadian Interuniversity Sport than any other league.

About Sportsnet
Sportsnet connects Canadian sports fans to their favourite teams and athletes, using five platforms: TV, Radio, Print, Online and Mobile. Sportsnet is Fuelled By Fans, and delivers 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 the Hockey Central app on iPad and Playbook.  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 Canadian leader in NHL and MLB television broadcasts and is home to 162 Toronto Blue Jays games, plus MLB Playoffs and the World Series.  Sportsnet is an official licensed broadcaster of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil^TM and also offers an exciting sports lineup including the NFL, the Memorial Cup, CIS Vanier Cup, Ultimate Fighting Championship^®, 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. Connected is the network's nightly news program, providing regional and national coverage of the day's events in the world of sports.

SOURCE: Rogers Media

Media Contacts:
Jennifer Neziol, [email protected], (w) 416.764.6361, (m) 416.275.9182
Sebastian Gatica, [email protected], (w) 416.764.6368, (m) 416.710.9953
Jennifer Cram, [email protected], (w) 416.764.6364, (m) 416.804.1683