Should Sportsnet affiliate with Fox Sports?

[Brannigans Law]

So back in the early 2000's or so TSN was either bought out or a big share bought by ESPN... or some affiliation.




TSN was always good but I think they've really had nice polish since the affiliation. I don't know what the ratings are but I do know that in general I find sportsnet to lousy by comparison, and Fox Sports in America pretty good. From broadcasts to their newly launched Fox Sports 1.

Would this make you more inclined to watch SN if you don't now? And if you do watch SN now would it make you less inclined to watch?

[VANFLAMESFAN]

It would take a lot for me to go away from TSN for my highlights/sports news.

I guess it couldn't hurt. Sportsnet just feels extremely Mickey Mouse and a more polished feel is exactly what they need.

The only reason I put it on Sportsnet is when there's a game on. I don't remember the last time I watched Sportsnet Connected.

[strombad]

I would watch more, IF WE GET TO SEE JAY AND DAN!

[hwy19man]

"Due to CRTC regulations on the foreign ownership of broadcasters, Labatt was forced to sell TSN and RDS upon its acquisition by Interbrew in 1995. Labatt's broadcasting assets were sold to a privately held consortium named NetStar Communications, the investors of which included a number of Canadian firms as well as ESPN, which held an interest of about 30%."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sports_Network

I think FOX Sports still has a 20% share in Rogers Sportsnet. Wikipedia talks about the past when Rogers, Molson, CTV also had ownership.

[HotHotHeat]

Of course they should.


Which is exactly why it will never happen.

[Joborule]

It would be a good idea for Rogers to blend in a Fox Sports like TSN has with the ESPN feel. I only watch Sportsnet for hockey game and soccer games. I never watch their newscast shows since I prefer Sportscentre professionalism. (Although the use of outdated graphics is lame)

[MrMastodonFarm]

Few people remember that when Sportsnet started it was owned, in part, by Fox Sports Net. CTV owned the majority share but when CTV bought TSN they were forced by the CTRC to sell off Sportsnet (to Rogers) and this is what they've become. Such a critical moment in the companies history. When they started they had the national hockey rights they pried away from TSN.

Funny to think what might have been had CTV stuck with Sportsnet.

[Resolute 14]

CTV made the right call. TSN was always the stronger brand, and even though it lost the national NHL contract back then, it chugged along just fine with several regional deals - iirc, both Toronto and Montreal. When it wrestled back the national hockey deal, the battle was over. TSN is the king, Sportsnet second. That hasn't come close to changing in 15 years.

That said, Sportsnet has the Flames and baseball. It is actually the channel I watch more often overall. Though Sportscentre > Connected.