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Rogers in talks to sell Monday night NHL game package in Canada to Amazon

CokenoPepsi

CokenoPepsi

Registered User
Oct 28, 2016
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It would be cool to see CBC back in the game, as I'm sure all of us here grew up to their stellar production and music library from back in the day.

They are still the Olympic network so I guess it could be done on a smaller scale.

Next deal something like Rogers/Amazon/ CBC with one game a week or something, Ron McLean eases his way into retirement
 
Takuto Maruki

Takuto Maruki

Ideal and the real
Dec 13, 2016
414
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Brandon, Manitoba
It really cannot be shaken out of my mind how utterly cooked the live sports market is in Canada. Rogers has effectively been out of the game since they grossly overpayed in 2012, and really, if it wasn't for them owning the Jays outright and providing not only free summer content, but also prints money for them, they'd be looking for a buyer there as well. Bell is the only one that even looks semi-interested, but often runs under the same media conglomerate come telecom whims as Rogers does. And the CBC has been effectively priced out, and if Poillevre has his way, will be defunded the second he gets power. Even if that wasn't the case, sports on CBC has become a skeleton crew.

At least American TV networks realize and are using the power of live sports to (barely) stem the tide of cord cutters. Canadian telcos straight up aren't bothering unless it either prints them money, or they own the entire thing outright.
 

gattaca

Registered User
Jan 5, 2011
63
37
Mississauga
Officially gone to Amazon for next 2 seasons. No playoffs noted. Production details to come later. It's been estimated there is 8 million Amazon Prime subscribers in Canada which is about the same number of subscribers to TSN/SN.

 
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gattaca

Registered User
Jan 5, 2011
63
37
Mississauga
Takuto Maruki said:
It really cannot be shaken out of my mind how utterly cooked the live sports market is in Canada. Rogers has effectively been out of the game since they grossly overpayed in 2012, and really, if it wasn't for them owning the Jays outright and providing not only free summer content, but also prints money for them, they'd be looking for a buyer there as well. Bell is the only one that even looks semi-interested, but often runs under the same media conglomerate come telecom whims as Rogers does. And the CBC has been effectively priced out, and if Poillevre has his way, will be defunded the second he gets power. Even if that wasn't the case, sports on CBC has become a skeleton crew.

At least American TV networks realize and are using the power of live sports to (barely) stem the tide of cord cutters. Canadian telcos straight up aren't bothering unless it either prints them money, or they own the entire thing outright.
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The difference in Canada is that same companies own the media networks and their distribution pipes. Given media accounts for less than 5% of Bell/Rogers business, it's in their best interest to protect their distribution business rather than their content. And once paid linear tv penetration drops below 20%, they won't care about either.

There isn't enough viewers now to support funding non-tier 1 Canadian sports properties anymore. The main demo left is also over 55 which is of less interest to advertisers.

They can get about the same number of viewers and at least break-even showing repeats and repacked highlight shows which account for about 50% of their programming. For live games, for $0 marginal costs, they have a huge inventory of MLB, NBA/WNBA & American NHL games that can be shown. TSN can also get endless discounted programming via their minority owner ESPN.

Non-tier 1 Canadian sports properties are still on TSN because they're getting $0 for rights and paying for production. Only Canada Soccer/CPL has been able to get a streaming platform to pay for their rights.
 
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Tom ServoMST3K

Tom ServoMST3K

In search of a Steinbach Hero
Nov 2, 2010
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What's your excuse?
Masked said:
I just wish Amazon could take over all the games from Rogers.

Sportsnet's app is horrid with subpar streaming quality. Terrible interface. Unreliable.

While the production of games on Sportsnet is horrible too. They spend more time talking about gambling and women's hockey than any NHL team that isn't the Leafs. They've hired people who shouldn't be on the air like Sam Costentino and other jabronis whose names I can't be bothered to remember. Ron MacLean should have been gone a decade ago.
Click to expand...

The more I spend on a sports streaming app, the worse its reliability seems to be.

Random seven dollar/month soccer or volleyball app? Perfect - good quality even with bad internet.

Massive TSN subscription for like 20 bucks a month - Terrible quality, bugs all over the place, need amazing internet to get a good quality.

I'm convinced TSN and SN purposefully make their streaming platforms bad to encourage people to buy satellite.
 
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varsaku

varsaku

Registered User
Feb 14, 2014
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905
United States
Tom ServoMST3K said:
The more I spend on a sports streaming app, the worse it's reliability seems to be.

Random seven dollar/month soccer or volleyball app? Perfect - good quality even with bad internet.

Massive TSN subscription for like 20 bucks a month - Terrible quality, bugs all over the place, need amazing internet to get a good quality.

I'm convinced TSN and SN purposefully make their streaming platforms bad to encourage people to buy satellite.
Click to expand...
The streaming only companies seem to have a reliable app and doesn't have much other issues. Netflix, Apple and Amazon are the only ones i felt don't crash on me or have other issues.
 
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Colezuki

Colezuki

Registered User
Apr 27, 2009
9,805
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Toronto
gattaca said:
Officially gone to Amazon for next 2 seasons. No playoffs noted. Production details to come later. It's been estimated there is 8 million Amazon Prime subscribers in Canada which is about the same number of subscribers to TSN/SN.

Click to expand...

Its more then that, according to emarketer an estimated 48% of Canadian households have a prime membership and 14M watch prime video. Prime membership is actually at the same reach as the total TV households here in Canada as well
 
Yukon Joe

Yukon Joe

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Aug 3, 2011
6,786
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YWG -> YXY -> YEG
So I live in Edmonton, am a Winnipeg fan.

This year if I want to watch every Oilers game I just need to make sure I have a subscription to Sportsnet. Simple enough

If I want to watch every Jets game I have to make sure I have something like the Centre Ice package, PLUS Sportsnet for when the Jets play Calgary or Edmonton.

Next year though - I have to have Centre Ice, plus Sportsnet, plus Amazon Prime - if I want to see all 82 games.
 
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MSZ

MSZ

Car guy
Oct 5, 2014
10,367
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Scarborough
Colezuki said:
Its more then that, according to emarketer an estimated 48% of Canadian households have a prime membership and 14M watch prime video. Prime membership is actually at the same reach as the total TV households here in Canada as well
Click to expand...
I found this number surprising. With that said, I may have to join next September if SN doesn't show games on Monday nights, I'm currently a Tidal subscriber for music, luckily Amazon Music also has lossless streaming service so a move to Amazon should be a painless experience.
 
OG6ix

OG6ix

Registered User
Apr 11, 2006
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Toronto
Is this going to be available to those who have Amazon Prime or do we have to subscribe to another tier?
 
Chileiceman

Chileiceman

Registered User
Dec 14, 2004
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Toronto
Amazon is gearing up to be a major player in the next NHL rights contest. I wonder if part of the reason Bell sold their MLSE stake was to be able to have a bigger warchest for NHL rights. Although maybe they feel like they dodged a bullet not trying to outbid Rogers the last go around.
 
Yukon Joe

Yukon Joe

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Aug 3, 2011
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YWG -> YXY -> YEG
Chileiceman said:
Amazon is gearing up to be a major player in the next NHL rights contest. I wonder if part of the reason Bell sold their MLSE stake was to be able to have a bigger warchest for NHL rights. Although maybe they feel like they dodged a bullet not trying to outbid Rogers the last go around.
Click to expand...

I think it's pretty clear they were happy they didn't match or exceed Roger's bid.

The thing abou something like NHL rights is it is a recurring cost - you have to pay it every year. The money they received from selling MLSE is a one time source of funds.

I'm sure Bell/BCE will bid for NHL rights, but I wouldn't read much into them selling their share of MLSE as being related.
 
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