Canada is set for a remarkable collaboration as CBC, TSN, and Sportsnet unite to deliver comprehensive coverage of the Winter Olympic Games. This partnership will offer Canadians unparalleled access to Olympic events, particularly in hockey, which is a key sport in the country.
Collaboration Between Major Broadcasters
Each Olympic season, these three industry giants join forces, blending resources to maximize event coverage. The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) has held the rights to the Olympics and Paralympics since 2014. This year, it sublicenses some English-language coverage to Bell Media’s TSN and Rogers Media’s Sportsnet.
Hockey Coverage Highlights
Notably, both men’s and women’s hockey games will be simulcast across all three channels. Chris Wilson, CBC’s executive director of sports and Olympics, emphasized the importance of this collaboration: “The Team Canada games will truly be uniting opportunities for Canadians.”
- Every Canadian hockey game will be aired as long as the teams remain in the tournament.
- In the women’s games, Kenzie Lalonde of TSN and two-time Olympian Cheryl Pounder will be calling the action.
- Sportsnet’s Chris Cuthbert will handle play-by-play for the men’s games.
Aiming for Record Audiences
In previous years, Olympic events have drawn significant viewership. For instance, the 2014 gold medal match featuring Canada and Sweden amassed an average of 8.5 million viewers, despite its early morning timeslot. Aiming for similar success, CBC anticipates a surge in audiences during the upcoming Games.
Strategic Objectives for Each Broadcaster
While the three networks unite for coverage, they all have individual strategic goals. TSN and Sportsnet see Olympic broadcasting as a reaffirmation of their NHL programming. Additionally, both channels will produce their own studio shows throughout the Games.
Enhancing Viewer Engagement
CBC aims to leverage this collaborative effort to promote its streaming service, Gem. Users can sign up to access live events and on-demand content. This strategy echoes similar methods employed by global broadcasters, such as NBC.
- Gem will feature every live event from the Games.
- CBC Television will provide 22 hours of daily live coverage.
Promoting Lesser-Known Sports
In addition to popular sports like hockey, CBC is committed to highlighting other Olympic events. Wilson pointed out their year-round coverage of various sports and hopes the Olympics will draw attention to these offerings.
Connecting with Younger Audiences
Understanding the shifting media landscape, CBC aims to engage younger viewers. Initiatives include promoting Olympic highlights on platforms like YouTube and TikTok.
Through this unified coverage, CBC, TSN, and Sportsnet strive to ensure Canadians enjoy the thrill of the Winter Olympics, potentially cultivating a new generation of sports fans along the way.
