Soccer on TV in Canada

[Joe Cole]

GolTV Canada to launch in October

August 4, 2005

The Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has approved an application from Insight Sports Limited to operate "The Soccer Net" as a pay digital "Category 2 Specialty Programming" television service.

Insight Sports has announced that it will use the licence to launch GolTV Canada in October.

[toronto_soccer]

goltv is the bomb. the only problem is it focuses mainly on south and central america. fsc ( fox soccer channel ) is more about europe and north america.

[Kezman9]

thats awsome im going to try and get it, how much do you think it will be and will it be avalibale on rogers digital cable?

[supersjd]

There should be a lot more soccer on tv in canada. All they show is english premier league games and only 3 on saturday and 1 on sunday. Its great tsn is showing champions league and other big games but still i think there should be more.

[Joe MacCarthy]

Well, I'd have to disagree. I'm sitting here on the east coast with a normal satellite package and I doubt if anyone in the world has it better than Canada.

Sportsnet - EPL
TSN - Champions League
TV5 - France
Fox Sports World Canada - Germany, Argentina, MLS, Brazil, France, Spain Scotland, Portugal, Greece, Netherlands and Asia

Telelatino - Italy, Spain
GolTV to start November 1

http://www.livesoccertv.com/soccer-channels.php

[supersjd]

Well, I'd have to disagree. I'm sitting here on the east coast with a normal satellite package and I doubt if anyone in the world has it better than Canada.

Sportsnet - EPL
TSN - Champions League
TV5 - France
Fox Sports World Canada - Germany, Argentina, MLS, Brazil, France, Spain Scotland, Portugal, Greece, Netherlands and Asia

Telelatino - Italy, Spain
GolTV to start November 1

http://www.livesoccertv.com/soccer-channels.php

Well i have standard cable which about 90% of the people i know have and we dont get TV5, Fox Sports World Canada, Telelatino or GolTV. Im on the west so that might be a difference.

[supersjd]

I see what you mean though. All those are available in Canada so if you want to spend the extra money for them you can. Alright i take that back that canadas bad with soccer on tv but still there is one thing that bugs me. If you watch the major sports channels they barely ever have any soccer highlights. I rather watch that then 30 minutes of MLB coverage.

[Joe MacCarthy]

I should clarify what I meant by standard. It isn't the cheapest package but an average one ($40) where you can pick some options. I'm sure the digital cable is the same way.

Even with a standard cable package from what people tell me it is still better than UK. Either way, like any other interest (even hockey) if you want choice you have to pay a little extra.

Why would there be any coverage of a European sport on a Canadian sportscast? Yes there is NFL (as an exception) but there is also a NA cultural and proximity interest involved there; and after all there is no Canadian team in La Liga.

The Whitecaps and Impact are on the sports highlight packages in Mtl and Van. There is a TV show Caps Corner that I can see here in the Maritimes. Sportnet has SoccerCentral.

If I were a swimming or skiing fan I would be complaining that a sport along the same visibility plane has tons more coverage than these other sports get.

Some people think this is Europe or should be like it. It isn't.

[luppo]

Rai International is now finally available in Canada (digital cable & satellite) if your interested in Italian soccer.

[Joe MacCarthy]

Rai International is now finally available in Canada (digital cable & satellite) if your interested in Italian soccer.Yeah, I had a free preview of RAI for a month in the summer. Let me preface this by saying I worked in TV production and news for ten years. What a brutal channel!

I did see a couple of games but the quality of the broadcasts and recordings on that channel were terrible. It looked like 80's community access and that wasn't the transmission it was the original tapings.

You would have to be an extremely hardcore soccer fan or someone who is exceptionally homesick to order that channel. Didn't see all that much soccer either. They had a strange international tournament I couldn't quite figure out. Brutal!

And re the above thread if you want to get the most bang for your soccer buck get the digital channel Fox Sports World Canada. Don't know why they call it Sports World because all that's ever on is soccer. I think I saw cricket once :)

[penguin_007]

hi i was wondering what would i need in Vancouver to watch the EPL, La Liga, Series A, international competition, uefa cup and champions league?

[supersjd]

hi i was wondering what would i need in Vancouver to watch the EPL, La Liga, Series A, international competition, uefa cup and champions league?

if you have the shaw cable package (around 60 channels) u can watch EPL on Saturdays (Sportsnet) and Sundays (The Score). Sportsnet also shows La Liga sometimes but just go to sportsnet.ca to find all the info on their schedule. TSN covers all the big games like champs league and international.

[toronto_soccer]

tln shows serie a games, 1 on saturday 3 on sunday but it's kind of wack. goltv shows uefa cup matches, serie a, la liga, and all other south american leagues. trust me as far as regular cable goes canada is far better than the states for soccer. most epl games in the states are only available through pay per view, and euro 2004 was not televised at all on cable.

[supersjd]

most epl games in the states are only available through pay per view, and euro 2004 was not televised at all on cable.

really i never realized that. Another great thing about this country ! :)

[chuncho_azul]

i think we should be thankful they are even televising soccer since this sport is not so big in this country

im happy the way it is

[det_mack_taylor]

To all you Canadians,

- What do you think of Sportsnet's coverage of EPL and other soccer related news from around the world? is it lame? could've been better?
- Do you think the hosts Dobson (I think) and Forrest do a fair job? do they actually know what they are saying?
- Why can't Sportsnet exclusively show other league games? like Spanish Primera? or Scottish Premiership?
and by the way...does anyone know or think there's a chance Canada's upcoming friendlies against Austria and the US will be shown on Sportsnet?

[supersjd]

To all you Canadians,

- What do you think of Sportsnet's coverage of EPL and other soccer related news from around the world? is it lame? could've been better?
- Do you think the hosts Dobson (I think) and Forrest do a fair job? do they actually know what they are saying?
- Why can't Sportsnet exclusively show other league games? like Spanish Primera? or Scottish Premiership?
and by the way...does anyone know or think there's a chance Canada's upcoming friendlies against Austria and the US will be shown on Sportsnet?

i'm glad you asked. i think sportsnet coverage is great but the news could use some work. they should show more world highlights and less boring stories about canadian soccer. now don't get me wrong i'm a big fan of canadian soccer but sometimes it's way too long. dobson and forrest are great hosts. i really wish sportsnet would show spanish primera but please not the scottish premiership. italian soccer would be much better. i'm not sure but i think sportsnet will show those two games.

[Joe MacCarthy]

Gimme a break guys. There is virtually no Canadian soccer coverage. SoccerCentral and Caps Corner are two of the few. You can get the same old foreign coverage just about everywhere, don't criticize what little CanCon we get.

As for Craig and Dobby's coverage, Craig played in the Premiership, nuf ced. I think he knows more than guys posting on the Internet (me included) Gerry, while no John Motson calls a credible game and has improved immensely in broadcasting a game he hadn't much experience with. I noticed mistakes he made a few years ago have been corrected and all you can ask is for a guy to get better.

Most of the time they have to call a game off a monitor, try doing that for five minutes without giving up in frustration.

Sportsnet often waits for the last minute to announce coverage of friendlies due to scheduling and rights commitments or lack thereof.

[supersjd]

As for Craig and Dobby's coverage, Craig played in the Premiership, nuf ced. I think he knows more than guys posting on the Internet (me included)

i agree with you that's why i said they're great hosts.

[toronto_soccer]

does anyone have any information on mls coverage in canada. with toronto getting a team in 2007 i'm guessing the upcoming season will be showcased here a bit. but does anyone know for sure. and i'm not talking about satelite.

[5timeschamp]

Currently, Sportsnet will not answer questions regarding this question. The technology is available to them, However they will not currently respond to this question? How embarasing if one of the most modern countries in the world decide to broadcast in standard format only!!!! ANy questions

[BRISTOLUK]

I'd be happy if I just knew they were covering it and how. I just want to know I can see it here.

[Joe MacCarthy]

Wow! I can see one game. Since I chucked the satellite package and have no TV, I can setup the ol antenna and watch the final on CTV.

Canadian Television Schedule
http://www.wcup06.ca/schedule_results/

[toronto_soccer]

in Canada we have all the bases covered. i wonder how it is in the U.S.?

[R7-Ronaldo-R7]

i really hope they do cover it

[R7-Ronaldo-R7]

it would suck if they didnt

[Fenerliyim]

Well in the US we have Espn, Espn2, and ABC, which are all owned by Disney, who will cover the WC. And they all have HD channels.

[Joe MacCarthy]

CRTC approves new TV channels
http://jam.canoe.ca/Television/2006/04/04/1519717-cp.html

OTTAWA (CP) - New specialty TV channels dedicated to soccer, cricket and equestrian events have been approved by the CRTC, the federal broadcast regulator.

They include Soccer Television and RCS Television, both proposed by the Telelatino Network (TLN). The first would provide coverage of professional and amateur soccer matches as well as documentaries and news programs devoted to the sport. The second would be devoted to soccer, cricket and rugby.

Olympic Films won licences for both an English and French language version of Equestrian Planet, programming from the horse world including racing.

Asian Television Network International received licences for ATN, the Asian Sports Network and ATN Cricket Channels I and II, pay services that would provide coverage of live cricket matches from around the world.

Cookie Jar Entertainment, a producer of children's television programming, was granted a licence for Cookie Jar Educational TV, which would include core curriculum educational programming in such areas as language, math, science and technology. The application had been opposed by Corus Entertainment, owner of the preschooler channel Treehouse TV and part owner of Teletoon. A French-language equivalent was also granted.

All the licences are for a category 2 service, which means cable and satellite providers are not obliged to provide carriage. Licence holders and carriers must negotiate an agreement before a channel is carried.

[Joe MacCarthy]

Friday, September 15, 2006
CBC/Radio-Canada Scores New Era for Soccer Broadcasting in Canada
http://www.canadasoccer.com/eng/media/viewArtical.asp?Press_ID=2535

CBC/Radio-Canada reaches historic agreement with FIFA to broadcast the U-20 FIFA World Cup Canada 2007

Ottawa, Ontario – The Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) is pleased to announce that CBC/Radio-Canada and the Fédération International de Football Association (FIFA), soccer’s global governing body, have joined forces to take the broadcasting of soccer in Canada to a new level.

This milestone agreement to begin on January 1, 2007 will give CBC/Radio-Canada the rights to broadcast in Canada the 2010 FIFA World Cup South AfricaTM, the 2014 FIFA World CupTM and the FIFA U-20 World Cup Canada 2007. The partnership will continue for eight years, ending on December 31st, 2014.

The accord will also allow the national public network to broadcast all other FIFA Championships such as the FIFA Women’s World Cup China 2007 and the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2011.

Canadian Soccer enters a new broadcasting era…

The CSA is pleased with today’s developments between FIFA and the CBC/Radio-Canada and now looks forward to working with the broadcaster beginning January 1st 2007, allowing Canadian soccer fans across this great country to benefit from increased domestic coverage of international soccer play in both official languages. Further scheduling details will be available at a later date.

“This is truly a momentous day, an historic day for all of Soccer in Canada,” said Kevan Pipe, Chief Operating Officer for the CSA. “Offering complete bilingual services to all residents of Canada will give us an opportunity we have never before experienced. We salute FIFA for their decision and CBC/Radio Canada for their submission and we look forward to a most exciting future beginning with the FIFA U-20 World Cup Canada 2007 next summer. Truly, an historic day!”

Canada breaks FIFA top ten…

Canada’s Women’s National team was elevated one spot in the FIFA Women’s rankings to tie Italy for 10th place. This marks the first time in the 14 year history of FIFA Rankings that a Canadian National team (men or women) has made the top ten.

FIFA U-20 World Cup Canada 2007 – It’s gonna be huge.

In 2007, the world’s biggest game is coming to Canada. Canada will host the World’s finest under-20 players in six cities across the country – Victoria, Burnaby, Edmonton, Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal – June 30 - July 22, 2007.

The biennial event is second only to the FIFA World Cup™ in size and scope and will showcase the most talented under-20 soccer players in the world. The tournament has been the coming-out party for some of the game’s top players - Maradona, Saviola, Raúl, Marco Van Basten, Luis Figo, Ruiz Costa, Thierry Henry, Adriano, Roberto Carlos, Bebeto and Dunga as well as Canada’s Craig Forrest and many members of the current Men’s World Cup Team.

Last held in CONCACAF in 1983 in Mexico, Canada’s most recent participation in this event occurred last June in the Netherlands from June 10 - July 2, 2005.

Canada enjoyed its best ever finish in a World Championship in December 2003, losing to eventual silver medalist Spain on a golden goal in the quarter finals in the United Arab Emirates.

For more information regarding the FIFA U-20 World Cup Canada 2007, please visit www.FIFA.com.

[Joe MacCarthy]

Lofty goals for CBC
By ROB BRODIE -- Sun Media
http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Soccer/2007/06/28/4297318-sun.html

The beautiful game couldn't look any prettier to CBC Sports. Here the public broadcaster is taking the first step in a huge four-year commitment to international soccer. And it gets started with a tournament that has drawn unprecedented interest among Canadians long before the first kickoff. With ticket sales approaching 800,000, the Under-20 men's World Cup is already assured of being the largest single-sport event ever held in this country.

All of which has the CBC primed and ready to deliver blanket coverage of a tournament that will capture the attention of the world.

"It's the start of our soccer journey on CBC," senior producer David Tredgett said. "The fact that it's in Canada ... that's what makes it so special."

All 52 matches in the FIFA U-20 World Cup, from June 30 through the July 22 final at Toronto's BMO Field, will air live: 21 on the main CBC network and 21 on CBC Country Canada, with the remaining 10 sublicensed to GOL TV, a digital soccer channel.

If you're stuck at the office away from a TV, not to worry. Every match is being streamed live on the Internet at cbcsports.ca, another first for a major event of this magnitude broadcast in Canada. They'll be archived for on-demand viewing as well.

How big is this tournament? Craig Forrest, who'll work as a game analyst alongside BBC import Nigel Reed, puts the global-passion level on the same plane Canadians have for the world junior hockey championship.

"I would hope by the time it kicks off, people will understand the size of the tourney and the size of its worldwide appeal," Forrest said of an event FIFA bills as its second largest, after the World Cup itself. "(About) 180-200 countries around the world will pick up the coverage of these games. That's how popular it has become on the global scale."

Naturally, CBC will put extra emphasis on the Canadian team. Tredgett agrees its success -- or lack of it -- can't be underestimated in terms of television audiences.

"They're very directly related," he said. "In 2002, the women's Under-19 (world) tournament was in Canada. When Canada played in the final, that drew what was (at the time) the largest audience ever on Sportsnet (917,000). So the success of the Canadian team can drive ratings up. If they go on a run, there will be a lot more interest in the tournament and in the broadcasts."

Forrest, for one, expects Canada to emerge from its group and play into the second round. "Anything after that is gravy," he said, adding "it would not surprise me if (Canada) got to the semifinals."

He believes the home side will benefit from passionate home country crowds.

"The support at home will be huge," he said. "They will truly be the 12th man, which we've never had in Canada up until now ... it will be a massive part of Canada's success."

Unlike past World Cups, which have largely drawn on British match commentary, CBC plans to put its own stamp on this tournament. Reed, the voice of Serie A soccer on Telelatino, and Forrest will stay with Canada's team until it is eliminated, then be redeployed from there. Steve Armitage and former national team keeper Paul Dolan call the June 30 Brazil-Poland opener in Montreal, then head west for matches in Victoria and Burnaby, B.C. Host broadcast commentators -- familiar British voices John Helm, Gary Bloom, Dave Woods and Steve Banyard -- will handle the rest.

Tredgett calls it "an exciting blend." Home base is a studio at CBC's broadcast centre in Toronto, where host Scott Russell and analysts Bob Lenarduzzi and Dick Howard will be stationed; CBC reporters for the event are Mitch Peacock (Canada/Western games) and Brenda Irving (Ottawa, Montreal and Toronto venues).

QUICK KICKS

A 30-minute U-20 tournament preview show airs June 28 at 9:30 p.m. ET on CBC. While most of the U-20 tournament telecasts will air in standard format, CBC will shoot two quarter-finals (in Toronto and Edmonton), both semifinals, the third-place match and the final in high definition.

Two feature series will run throughout the tourney: Adidas Future Look (20 profiles of Canadian and international stars in the event) and Viva Football, a historical look at the event.

Telelatino is providing coverage of 28 matches (21 live) in Italian, Spanish or Portuguese and Daily reports are also available on Radio-Canada, CBC Newsworld and CBC Radio.