Canada's #1 Sports Media Brand, Sportsnet, Launches North America's First Mainstream Sports TV Channel Direct to Consumer

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Mar 31, 2016, 01:21 ET

TORONTO, March 31, 2016 /PRNewswire/ - As a long-standing industry leader in delivering premium sports content to Canadians, Sportsnet – Canada's #1 sports media brand – will now be the first mainstream sports TV channel in North America to be offered direct to consumers. Offering customers more choice and ways to watch their favourite sports content, Sportsnet NOW is a live streaming service of six Sportsnet linear channels, giving fans access to the great sports content they've come to love.

Sportsnet NOW, which launches April 1, remains included with Sportsnet television subscriptions through participating providers, and is now expanding to reach all Canadians.

"Sportsnet is Canada's home for the best in sports, and Sportsnet NOW is a complementary service to our other offerings that gives Canadians even more choice when it comes to how they consume their sports content," said Rick Brace, President, Rogers Media, which owns Sportsnet. "We are committed to driving innovation in sport – and with this service, we're bringing sports to our audiences in a new and exciting way."

Sportsnet NOW will be available on tablet, mobile, and online, for a monthly subscription of $24.99 (Cdn) with no contract and a 7-day trial period.

"This service is ideal for sports fans who do not have a TV subscription, but still want to watch live sports," said Scott Moore, President, Sportsnet & NHL Properties. "With Sportsnet NOW, Canadians can choose to watch all the live action when they want it, anytime, anywhere. Sportsnet NOW is the fans' all-access pass to Sportsnet content."

With a subscription to Sportsnet NOW, customers will receive:

Live streaming of Sportsnet Ontario, East, Pacific, West, ONE, and 360 – online, on tablets, and through mobile devices
Content includes:
- NHL*, MLB, NBA, junior hockey, soccer, tennis, Grand Slam of Curling, IndyCar, CIS, Tour de France, and much more
- Original programming such as Tim & Sid, Sportsnet Central, Hockey Central, Gotta See It, Misplays, Plays of the Month, and Sportsnet Presents

Pricing:

Live streaming for $24.99 (Cdn, plus applicable taxes) on a month-to-month basis
7-day trial period for new subscribers
Included for existing cable, IPTV, and satellite customers

The video platform for Sportsnet Now is provided by NeuLion Inc.

*Regional restrictions apply. Content availability subject to change. Visit Sportsnet.ca/NOW for full details.

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About Sportsnet
Sportsnet connects Canadian sports fans to their favourite teams and athletes, using five platforms: TV, Radio, Print, Online and Mobile. Delivering storytelling on a local, regional, national and global level, the multiplatform brand consists of Sportsnet, sportsnet.ca, Sportsnet 590 The FAN, Sportsnet 960 The FAN, Sportsnet magazine, Sportsnet Mobile, Sportsnet NOW, and Sportsnet 4K. Sportsnet consists of four regional channels (Sportsnet East, Ontario, West and Pacific), and the nationally-distributed Sportsnet ONE, Sportsnet World, and Sportsnet 360. Sportsnet is the official Canadian NHL national broadcast rights holder, and is also the official regional television broadcast rights holder for the Calgary Flames (including radio rights on Sportsnet 960 The FAN), Edmonton Oilers, Toronto Maple Leafs (including radio rights on Sportsnet 590 The FAN), Vancouver Canucks and Montreal Canadiens. In addition, Sportsnet is also the exclusive Canadian broadcast rights holder of the CHL, including the Memorial Cup. Sportsnet is the Canadian leader in MLB television broadcasts and is home to all 162 Toronto Blue Jays games, plus MLB Playoffs and the World Series. Sportsnet also offers an exciting sports lineup including the NFL, Toronto Raptors, NBA, CIS Vanier Cup, Grand Slam of Curling, IndyCar, the Rogers Cup tennis tournament, and extensive soccer programming including Barclays Premier League, Bundesliga, CONCACAF and Canadian national team matches for men and women. Sportsnet Central is the network's news program, providing regional and national coverage of the day's events in the world of sports.

SOURCE Rogers Media