Bell Media exploring sale of TSN

[Yukon Joe]

Realistically though, does ESPN even *want* to own anymore then they currently do? They have a plum arrangement that basically has them as the sugar daddy raking in money from their ownership stake, in exchange for licensing out their content. Do they really want to take on more then they are already doing, especially knowing that they'll have to pay licensing rights from specifically NBC and Turner if they own the whole thing, and not have Bell paying those licensing fees?

So I literally said the same thing a couple posts above:

As well - I'm not sure how interested ABC would be in owning a Canadian sports cable channel - they don't own any cable channels in Canada at present, and it is a very different regulatory environment to work in.

Jonah's more or less the most locked in guy in terms of Canadian sports media movement. He's about as credible as it gets when it comes to this niche.

I haven't heard of the guy, but if you tell me he's credible (and someone else did as well) I'll accept that.

 

[JianYang]

The Competition Bureau and the CRTC really don't give a shit anymore what is actually good for the consumer or Canadian business on the whole. They're entirely intent on letting Rogers own the entirety of telecoms and media as the rest realize that the taps have run dry and there's no point in trying to spend on sports when cable is dying.

Maybe if there's enough of a nationalistic push from the Conservatives to protect TSN from foreign interests (specifically ESPN considering they're likely the only ones with enough money to actually pay for TSN) but even then, there's really only one way this goes. And the CRTC and Competition Bureau are all too happy to let it happen and go fully mask off in the 'five companies in a trench coat' moniker this country has always been.

Yeah, I think regulating body is pretty toothless considering they let the shaw/rogers deal proceed. But I think rogers would not be interested to expand at this point.

I think it's possible that tsn simply liquidates and dissolves if bell really wants to get out of the game, while new digital players like Amazon and Netflix would more than happy to fill the space.

 

[Golden_Jet]

ugh this sucks. theres no way in hell i am buying amazon prime if they get full rights of nhl idc.

Why is that, the quality of picture is the best to date in the NHL.
Uses 60 fps
Uses Dolby atmos for sound.
I was against it at first until I watched some games.

 

[Yukon Joe]

I think it's possible that tsn simply liquidates and dissolves if bell really wants to get out of the game, while new digital players like Amazon and Netflix would more than happy to fill the space.

Extremely unlikely. Cable is a bad business to be in, but I doubt it's losing money like that.

If Bell is that negative on cable sports the more likely would be to spin it off into a separate company. Every Bell shareholder gets a TSN share (or whatever ratio they decide on). That way if TSN goes bankrupt in 2-5 years it's no longer Bell's fault.

 

[Chileiceman]

This guy has credible sources in the industry.

The problem that they will face in the sale process are Canada's restrictionist rules when it comes to traditional media. Companies like Netflix, Amazon Prime and DAZN can operate in Canada because they are over the top content providers. They got in before the CRTC could get their stupid hands on them. Rogers would scream bloody murder at the CRTC if TSN were fully sold to ESPN or some other foreign company. One way to backdoor into the Canadian market is to partner with an exisiting company. Like ESPN could partner with Corus to try to buy it. That's kind of how Bein Sports ended up being allowed to operate in Canada. It's such an archaic way of doing things in an industry that is becoming more and more archaic.

I could see DAZN buying it and turning it into a streaming only operation to circumvent foreign ownership rules. That's where the future (and present, really) lies, and DAZN's got some serious money (somehow). FUBO is another possibility.

 

[Golden_Jet]

This guy has credible sources in the industry.

The problem that they will face in the sale process are Canada's restrictionist rules when it comes to traditional media. Companies like Netflix, Amazon Prime and DAZN can operate in Canada because they are over the top content providers. They got in before the CRTC could get their stupid hands on them. Rogers would scream bloody murder at the CRTC if TSN were fully sold to ESPN or some other foreign company. One way to backdoor into the Canadian market is to partner with an exisiting company. Like ESPN could partner with Corus to try to buy it. That's kind of how Bein Sports ended up being allowed to operate in Canada. It's such an archaic way of doing things in an industry that is becoming more and more archaic.

I could see DAZN buying it and turning it into a streaming only operation to circumvent foreign ownership rules. That's where the future (and present, really) lies, and DAZN's got some serious money (somehow). FUBO is another possibility.

Corus is close to bankrupt and a penny stock now.

 

[Chileiceman]

Corus is close to bankrupt and a penny stock now.

Jeesh, what a sad state of affairs.

 

[Takuto Maruki]

So I literally said the same thing a couple posts above:

I didn't see that post, admittedly, so I'll give you that. Still, I wouldn't be surprised if anything, it's less about the regulatory/nationalism angle and more so not wanting to give their rivals pay days (especially WBD) even if it's chump change.

Realistically, there's only one actual buyer if TSN actually goes up for sale. And that buyer is going to be the one that, if it goes through both the Competition Bureau and the CRTC (and as mentioned, aside from very specific circumstances, they have no desire to upset the apple cart WRT total Rogers monopoly of media) then all of this chatter about the NHL TV contract up here is pointless. There's really only one buyer in town, and the rest, specifically American streamers, are going to be fighting for scraps.

 

[Masked]

I could see DAZN buying it and turning it into a streaming only operation to circumvent foreign ownership rules. That's where the future (and present, really) lies, and DAZN's got some serious money (somehow). FUBO is another possibility.

I see DAZN as the most likely buyer. They're the ones who have the most to gain from taking on TSN's assets. They'll incorporate TSN into their global streaming service, maybe even turn the tv stations into DAZN branded stations to gain brand recognition in Canada. But tv stations are living on borrowed time. In a decade, maybe two, it'll be just streaming services.

DAZN would value TSN's broadcast rights for the NHL, WJC, CFL and NBA; production staff and broadcast talent. Plus they'd eliminate a competitor for bidding on the NHL's national rights.

 

[HabzSauce]

Meh who cares if we can't even watch the game. Nothing more difficult than watching a hockey game legally in 2025....

Maybe if it gets even worse we'll actually see some change. I wonder tho maybe NHL is fine with people not watching full games? Because social media is a big thing now and everyone can see highlights and clips on insta/YouTube. NHL don't have to pay anything to TV networks

 

[voyageur]

How about this for a possibility - TSN gets purchased by... the Winnipeg Jets, Montreal Canadians and the Ottawa Senators (or at least some consortium of their ownership groups)?

Basically this would be following what's going down in the US with regional broadcasters. The teams want to ensure they still have a regional broadcaster, so they just go out and purchase TSN. The three ownership groups do have a few bucks to play with.

I'm sure the CFL might like to get in on this - but as a very small minority partner at best.

Obviously the TML would not be interested, but potentially Calgary / Edmonton / Vancouver as well if they're worried about their Sportsnet deals. Not predicting this, but a possibility.

I remember the days when RDS used to be able to broadcast the Sens and particularly the Canadiens nationally. I think Bell probably rebounds from losing all their stock in MLSE which is two big fish, by investing more in the Canadiens, and maybe the next TV contract they try to get them more national attention. Ottawa can be broadcast to frenchies on both sides of the Quebec/Ontario border as far as I know, which is a greater TV demographic than Western Canada.

Next government won't likely be as friendly to Bell, so they might want to downsize to stay on the map. It's only a matter of time when free trade inevitably changes the landscape of Canadian television, just like other aspects of Canadian culture/business. Sports streaming doesn't need the cable specialty channels to deliver the media, that's the change you expect to see.

 

[MMC]

Whoever the jackass is who runs Bell is seriously low IQ

 

[Masked]

Meh who cares if we can't even watch the game. Nothing more difficult than watching a hockey game legally in 2025....

If you're having difficulties watching a hockey game legally, that's a you problem and not an NHL problem. Most people have no issue with the financial and technical capabilities to do so.

 

[HabzSauce]

If you're having difficulties watching a hockey game legally, that's a you problem and not an NHL problem. Most people have no issue with the financial and technical capabilities to do so.

How do you suggest I watch Habs games while living in Ontario?

 

[IDEKWTM]

I remember the days when RDS used to be able to broadcast the Sens and particularly the Canadiens nationally. I think Bell probably rebounds from losing all their stock in MLSE which is two big fish, by investing more in the Canadiens, and maybe the next TV contract they try to get them more national attention. Ottawa can be broadcast to frenchies on both sides of the Quebec/Ontario border as far as I know, which is a greater TV demographic than Western Canada.

Next government won't likely be as friendly to Bell, so they might want to downsize to stay on the map. It's only a matter of time when free trade inevitably changes the landscape of Canadian television, just like other aspects of Canadian culture/business. Sports streaming doesn't need the cable specialty channels to deliver the media, that's the change you expect to see.

Actually, if the conservatives are in they tend to be much more business friendly.

 

[Masked]

How do you suggest I watch Habs games while living in Ontario?

If you're in Eastern Ontario, pay for TSN and Sportsnet's streaming services.

If you're in another part of Ontario pay for the Sportsnet+ streaming service.

I know that's a very long and difficult process to understand but maybe you'll figure it out.

 

[Golden_Jet]

Whoever the jackass is who runs Bell is seriously low IQ

What happened

 

[JKG33]

If you're in Eastern Ontario, pay for TSN and Sportsnet's streaming services.

If you're in another part of Ontario pay for the Sportsnet+ streaming service.

I know that's a very long and difficult process to understand but maybe you'll figure it out.

Sportsnet+ usually works, but holy shit TSN has the worst paid streaming subscription known to man.

 

[JKG33]

I'm not entirely sure that'll happen here. The anti-consumer CRTC has the country so locked down, whatever Bell and Rogers allows them to do will be the most anti-canadian option. We can be sure of that.

I used to be a huge fan of DAZN. A few years ago it was something like $10/month to watch every NFL game. They've upped it every year since, i think it's something like $35/month now. And they "justify" it by saying oh look at all this extra content we provide.. boxing, soccer, rally racing.. who gives a f***? I'm here to watch NFL, not pay extra for this trash I want no part of. And now they make you watch ads every time you switch games, I called them out on Twitter and they said it helps them make content affordable. Affordable my ass, don't triple the price over 3 years and make me pay for shitty content I have 0 interest in. So if they purchase TSN and get into hockey we're f***ed.. it'll be $60/month by then

 

[ColinM]

I'm not entirely sure that'll happen here. The anti-consumer CRTC has the country so locked down, whatever Bell and Rogers allows them to do will be the most anti-canadian option. We can be sure of that.

I used to be a huge fan of DAZN. A few years ago it was something like $10/month to watch every NFL game. They've upped it every year since, i think it's something like $35/month now. And they "justify" it by saying oh look at all this extra content we provide.. boxing, soccer, rally racing.. who gives a f***? I'm here to watch NFL, not pay extra for this trash I want no part of. And now they make you watch ads every time you switch games, I called them out on Twitter and they said it helps them make content affordable. Affordable my ass, don't triple the price over 3 years and make me pay for shitty content I have 0 interest in. So if they purchase TSN and get into hockey we're f***ed.. it'll be $60/month by then

Ouch. I feel like I got an enough of an NFL fix with TSN/CTV. The remainder of the games don't seem meaningful.

 

[MMC]

What happened

They have nearly a monopoly and managed to go deep into debt

 

[Golden_Jet]

They have nearly a monopoly and managed to go deep into debt

Well least didn’t go bankrupt like Bally did, and stop broadcasting a lot of sports teams games.

 

[varsaku]

Well least didn’t go bankrupt like Bally did, and stop broadcasting a lot of sports teams games.

If there isn't much willing buyers, I wouldn't be surprised they just spin it off. However, the new company would eventually go bankrupt without Bell subsidize any losses.