Canadian TV rights negotiations start January 1, 2025

[LadyStanley]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1859628055876005949

Wednesday on CNBC, Bettman discussed upcoming Canadian media rights, saying the league’s triggered a 60-day window to negotiate with Rogers. It opens Jan. 1.

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[Takuto Maruki]

It's going to be interesting to see if the trends that are cropping up within American TV bubbles (grossly overpaying for sports properties from legacy media, tech companies trying to get into the space) ultimately hold water up here. More then anything, even if the duopoly is insulating it massively, it's only a matter of time before the RSN apocalypse pops up here, mainly from Rogers deciding that it isn't worth it having a bunch of regional channels only really segmented by geography, and instead goes to the TSN model of 5 channels, with one as a designated second channel, the rest being overflow.

 

[Fenway]

 

[rojac]

It's going to be interesting to see if the trends that are cropping up within American TV bubbles (grossly overpaying for sports properties from legacy media, tech companies trying to get into the space) ultimately hold water up here. More then anything, even if the duopoly is insulating it massively, it's only a matter of time before the RSN apocalypse pops up here, mainly from Rogers deciding that it isn't worth it having a bunch of regional channels only really segmented by geography, and instead goes to the TSN model of 5 channels, with one as a designated second channel, the rest being overflow.

 

[varsaku]

It's going to be interesting to see if the trends that are cropping up within American TV bubbles (grossly overpaying for sports properties from legacy media, tech companies trying to get into the space) ultimately hold water up here. More then anything, even if the duopoly is insulating it massively, it's only a matter of time before the RSN apocalypse pops up here, mainly from Rogers deciding that it isn't worth it having a bunch of regional channels only really segmented by geography, and instead goes to the TSN model of 5 channels, with one as a designated second channel, the rest being overflow.

They need to split the streaming and TV rights. Blackouts to prop up TV rights is probably turning away a lot of casual fans who don't have cable. No casual fan is going to get cable to watch the occasional big game.

 

[Chileiceman]

What would happen after 60 days and no deal with Rogers? Why is it to the NHL's benefit to have a window of negotiating exclusively with one broadcaster? Are they obligated by the contract to trigger this window at some point?

The NBA made their deal with an entire season to go on the old one, so maybe that's what the NHL is looking to do as well.

 

[varsaku]

What would happen after 60 days and no deal with Rogers? Why is it to the NHL's benefit to have a window of negotiating exclusively with one broadcaster? Are they obligated by the contract to trigger this window at some point?

The NBA made their deal with an entire season to go on the old one, so maybe that's what the NHL is looking to do as well.

I believe it is built into the contract to have an exclusive negotiating window.

 

[Optimistic Cynic]

I believe it is built into the contract to have an exclusive negotiating window.

Okay, so it's built into the contract, but what advantage or disadvantage does that present to either party?

 

[jkrdevil]

Okay, so it's built into the contract, but what advantage or disadvantage does that present to either party?

The advantage for the broadcaster is it gives them an opportunity to strike a deal to extend the rights (and keep their programming without getting in a bidding war). For the league giving the current rights holder an exclusive window at the backend is an incentive to get them to pay more up front when the current deal is signed. It also helps relationships for future negotiations.

It’s kind of like a landlord selling a property that is being rented. Usually a tenant will get the first opportunity to buy. But if they can’t meet the price it goes to market.

 

[rojac]

What I'd like to know is whether or not Rogers can renew their deal during their exclusive period by bringing in a partner. For example, can they team up with Amazon to create a deal that splits the rights between the two companies essentially keeping Bell and other streamers from even getting a chance to bid?

I wonder if it would make sense for Amaxon to take NHL out-of-market package in Canada and create a Prime TV channel for those games that costs like $10 a month (so, $20 a month including the basic cost of Primes). I could see also see Amazon getting a flew more games. Maybe Amazon gets a package of games between US teams that is excusive to them in Canada. Who knows?

 

[eojsmada]

I'm kind of surprised that the NHL would seek an exclusive bargaining window with Sportsnet, since a deal with TSN brings the opportunity to link up with ESPN+ (30% owners of TSN) and bring an already existing streaming service to Canada.

 

[rojac]

I'm kind of surprised that the NHL would seek an exclusive bargaining window with Sportsnet, since a deal with TSN brings the opportunity to link up with ESPN+ (30% owners of TSN) and bring an already existing streaming service to Canada.

Exclusive renewal windows are pretty much a standard part of every pro sports rights deal.

 

[eojsmada]

Exclusive renewal windows are pretty much a standard part of every pro sports rights deal.

oh for sure. I just figured that the NHL wouldn't enact it because of what TSN can bring to the table that Sportsnet has never figured out. And I thought Rogers said that they were losing money in the current deal, as well.

Maybe this forces Rogers to re-consider earlier and allows for NHL to negotiate with TSN earlier as a result? *shrug*

 

[jkrdevil]

oh for sure. I just figured that the NHL wouldn't enact it because of what TSN can bring to the table that Sportsnet has never figured out. And I thought Rogers said that they were losing money in the current deal, as well.

Maybe this forces Rogers to re-consider earlier and allows for NHL to negotiate with TSN earlier as a result? *shrug*

They have to enact it to start negotiations in general. They can’t skip it and then negotiate with others. They have give Rogers the exclusive period first. Waiting to enact it just pushes the negotiations further back.

What I'd like to know is whether or not Rogers can renew their deal during their exclusive period by bringing in a partner. For example, can they team up with Amazon to create a deal that splits the rights between the two companies essentially keeping Bell and other streamers from even getting a chance to bid?

I wonder if it would make sense for Amaxon to take NHL out-of-market package in Canada and create a Prime TV channel for those games that costs like $10 a month (so, $20 a month including the basic cost of Primes). I could see also see Amazon getting a flew more games. Maybe Amazon gets a package of games between US teams that is excusive to them in Canada. Who knows?

I don’t see why Rogers couldn’t do that. The exclusive window is their right. If they agree to bring in a partner there is no one to dispute that right.

 

[Golden_Jet]

oh for sure. I just figured that the NHL wouldn't enact it because of what TSN can bring to the table that Sportsnet has never figured out. And I thought Rogers said that they were losing money in the current deal, as well.

Maybe this forces Rogers to re-consider earlier and allows for NHL to negotiate with TSN earlier as a result? *shrug*

It’s in the existing contract, the 60 day window.

 

[eojsmada]

They have to enact it to start negotiations in general. They can’t skip it and then negotiate with others. They have give Rogers the exclusive period first. Waiting to enact it just pushes the negotiations further back.


I don’t see why Rogers couldn’t do that. The exclusive window is their right. If they agree to bring in a partner there is no one to dispute that right.

They could just let the contract run out and avoid Rogers altogether if they so chose. But maybe they figure that opening it a year early allows them to move past Rogers, because the window is a shorter period of time versus waiting the year.

 

[jkrdevil]

They could just let the contract run out and avoid Rogers altogether if they so chose. But maybe they figure that opening it a year early allows them to move past Rogers, because the window is a shorter period of time versus waiting the year.

That would leave them with no broadcaster being ready in time for the following season. There is a reason why these deals get done a year+ in advance and there is usually a lame duck period. And Rogers would likely still have a contractual exclusive window to negotiate as a contract expiring doesn’t mean it’s null and void.

They don’t have to reach a deal during the window. If the league wants to move on from Rogers they can just let it expire without a deal. Much like the NBA just did with Turner, who had an exclusive negotiating window. It just allows Rogers to be able to make an offer without other jumping in.

 

[JianYang]

I hope we can move on from rogers. I have not been impressed with their product since they got the rights, and if anything, they have actually been trending downwards over the life of this contract.

Obviously, It's a much different media landscape now with digital media being a bigger factor. With the introduction of Amazon prime, and how well they have handled their Monday night games. I'm excited at the prospect of what could be.

 

[DoyleG]

I'm kind of surprised that the NHL would seek an exclusive bargaining window with Sportsnet, since a deal with TSN brings the opportunity to link up with ESPN+ (30% owners of TSN) and bring an already existing streaming service to Canada.

ESPNs role is limited in any respects as it will be the Canadian owners that will decide.

If CTV isn't included in the broadcast deal, then BCE won't win.

 

[WeaponOfChoice]

Can we get a CBC/TSN deal please? Screw Rogers.

 

[ColinM]

Can we get a CBC/TSN deal please? Screw Rogers.

I think that's unlikely. Bell will want something on CTV much like what they have with the NFL. If Bell is generous they will license one game a week to CTV.

 

[Voight]

Can we get a CBC/TSN deal please? Screw Rogers.

CBC doesn't have the money for that. They'll just do what they've been doing for the last decade and license HNIC to whoever wins the rights.