Sportsnet Delivers Highest Blue Jays Audience in Network History

- Last night's Opening Night broadcast attracted network's highest Blue Jays audience ever with 1.4 million viewers -
- More than 4 million Canadians watched some or all of the broadcast -
- Sportsnet records most-watched Spring Training ever -

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TORONTO, April 3, 2013 /CNW/ - Sportsnet delivered its largest audience ever for a Toronto Blue Jays game last night, as an average of 1.4 million (2+) viewers tuned in to Sportsnet's Opening Night broadcast featuring the Cleveland Indians vs. Toronto Blue Jays on Sportsnet East, Ontario, West and Pacific.

Overall, more than 4 million Canadians watched some part of the record-setting season opener on Sportsnet, as the Blue Jays fell to the Indians, 4-1. Audience levels peaked at 1.9 million viewers at 8:29 p.m. ET in the bottom of the 3rd inning, as the Blue Jays were at bat with the bases loaded, and 0 out.

The 1.4 million average audience marks a 13% increase over Sportsnet's previous highest Blue Jays audience of 1.3 million viewers on April 9, 2012 (Boston @ Toronto, 2012 Blue Jays Home Opener). It also marks a 48% increase over the 2011 Blue Jays home opener average audience of 976,000 viewers on April 1, 2011 and a 81% increase over the 2010 Blue Jays home opener average audience of 796,000 viewers on  April 12, 2010.

Fans also flocked to Sportsnet's digital platforms on Blue Jays opening day, as unique visitors to sportsnet.ca and Sportsnet's Mobile App were 56% higher in comparison to last season's home opener on April 9, 2012.

Sportsnet's coverage of the Toronto Blue Jays 2013 pre-season set a network record as well, attracting the highest average audience ever in Sportsnet history for its Blue Jays Spring Training national telecasts. An average audience of 350,000 viewers watched Blue Jays spring training broadcasts on Sportsnet this season, marking a 36% increase over the previous average audience high of 257,000 set in the 2012 pre-season.

Sportsnet is Canada's home of the 2013 Toronto Blue Jays with all 162 regular season games on Sportsnet, Sportsnet 590 The FAN and RogersAnyplaceTV.com.  Sportsnet keeps Blue Jays fans across the country connected to their home team with unparalleled coverage and content across the Sportsnet suite of TV, radio, digital and print assets.

*Source: BBM Canada PPM Data, AMA(000) & Average Weekly Reach(000),Total Canada. All audiences are 2+ unless otherwise indicated. Digital stats based on Adobe Site Catalyst

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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. Sportsnet is Fuelled By Fans, and delivers 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 and the Hockey Central app on iPad and Playbook. Sportsnet is the Canadian leader in NHL and MLB television broadcasts and is home to 162 Toronto Blue Jays games, plus MLB Playoffs and the World Series. Sportsnet is an official licensed broadcaster of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil^TM and also offers an exciting sports lineup including the NFL, the Memorial Cup, Ultimate Fighting Championship^®, Grand Slam of Curling, IndyCar, the Rogers Cup tennis tournament, and extensive soccer programming including Barclays Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, MLS Vancouver Whitecaps FC, CONCACAF and Canadian national team matches for men and women. Connected is the network's nightly news program, providing regional and national coverage of the day's events in the world of sports.

SOURCE: Sportsnet