From Canada Day weekend to the 100th Grey Cup, it’s a season like no other and TSN is there every step of the way delivering end-to-end coverage of the 2012 CFL season with its CFL ON TSNbroadcast campaign.
TSN’s complete 77-game package is part of the network’s exclusive multi-year deal with the CFL, and includes the playoffs and this season’s historic event: the 100th GREY CUP from Toronto. All games are available live on TSN Mobile TV and on-demand at TSN.ca.
Regular season coverage gets underway on RONA Canada Day Kickoffweekend – June 29-July 1 – with four games.
On Friday, June 29, WENDY’S FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL features opening night doubleheader action. In the first game, the Saskatchewan Roughriders travel to Ivor Wynne Stadium to take on the Hamilton Tiger-Cats at 7 p.m. ET, marking the first time that Ticats receiver Andy Fantuz faces off against his former team. Immediately following the match-up, the CFL ON TSN heads to B.C. Place for a rematch of last year’s GREY CUP final, as theWinnipeg Blue Bombers take on the B.C. Lions at 10 p.m. ET.
This year marks the 15th season that TSN brings the WENDY’S FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL brand to fans on an evening that has become destination viewing for the CFL with at least one game throughout the regular season. Making its debut this season is a new WENDY’S FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALLopening animation and theme song performed by Brockville, ON native Janey Brown.
On Saturday, June 30, the Toronto Argonauts take on the Edmonton Eskimos at 7 p.m. ET, as Argos quarterback Ricky Ray makes his first appearance at Commonwealth Stadium since being traded to Toronto in the off season.
Finally, on Canada Day (July 1), fireworks are expected on the field whenAnthony Calvillo and the Montreal Alouettes travel to McMahon Stadium tobattle the Calgary Stampeders – led by quarterback Drew Tate – at 7 p.m. ET.
Also premiering on the CFL ON TSN on Canada Day is a new CFL-produced video, “It Reflects Us All,” underlining the league’s theme for this season. The video is narrated by Kiefer Sutherland.
The CFL ON TSN studio panel starts the season in Hamilton with host Dave Randorf alongside analysts Chris Schultz, Matt Dunigan and Jock Climie on location at Ivor Wynne Stadium. CFL ON TSN analyst Milt Stegall is at B.C. Place in Vancouver as Lions slotback Geroy Simon looks to break the all-time CFL receiving record, which is currently held by Stegall.
Along with every game, TSN brings fans closer to the CFL with all-encompassing coverage on all of its key platforms and properties includingTSN Radio and TSN.ca. Key properties such as SPORTSCENTRE has coverage of the CFL all season long, with Canada’s #1 sports news program featuring news, highlights and interviews, plus the CFL ON TSN panel breaking down games and handing out game balls to the league’s standout players each week.
A 3 Downs quiz segment makes its debut this season featuring the CFL ON TSN panel delivering definitive opinions on a variety of topics and issues surrounding the league – all through a fun and interactive multiple-choice quiz format.
The CFL ON TSN also has its finger on the pulse of everything going on socially with the CFL, as this year’s broadcasts feature a new segment calledSocial CFL with social media correspondent Kate McKenna. Throughout the season, fans can join the conversation on TSN’s Fan Page for Facebook and on Twitter by following the CFL ON TSN on-air personalities and using the hashtags #TSN and #CFL.
Also new this season is the network’s highly-anticipated documentary series,ENGRAVED ON A NATION: STORIES OF THE GREY CUP, THE CFL AND CANADA. Premiering in the fall and commissioned by Bell Media,ENGRAVED ON A NATION salutes the 100th GREY CUP with eight original documentaries that celebrate Canada’s game and the trophy’s place in Canadian history.
The CFL ON TSN is proving to be one of the most sought-after properties for advertisers in Canada. Major sponsors of the 2012 CFL ON TSN broadcast campaign include General Motors, Mr. Lube, Nissan, Purolator, Safeway, Scotiabank, Rona and Wendy’s.
TSN has been televising CFL games since 1986.
Broadcast Schedule
TSN is the official broadcaster of the CFL with every regular season game (72), along with the four divisional playoff match-ups and the GREY CUP (see attached PDF or visit TSN.ca for complete broadcast schedule). Live coverage of all Toronto Argonauts and B.C. Lions games – along with pre- and post-game shows – is also available on TSN Radio in Toronto (AM 1050) andTeam 1410 in Vancouver.
Additional highlights of the CFL ON TSN broadcast schedule include:
- Traditional match-ups during Scotiabank Labour Day Weekend (Aug. 31-Sept. 3) and four games on Thanksgiving Weekend (Oct. 5-8)
- The final regular season game played at Ivor Wynne Stadium in Hamilton on October 27 with the Tiger-Cats taking on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers
- The Canadian Football Hall of Fame Weekend in Winnipeg (Nov. 1-3) as Stegall is among the CFL players and builders being inducted in the Canadian Football Hall of Fame
TSN’s extensive lineup of live game action and programming is supported by an integrated multi-platform CFL ON TSN marketing campaign, which includes an original 30-second promotional TV spot featuring TSN’s football experts and marquee players, along with national radio spots on TSN Radio and Bell Media radio stations, promotion across TSN.ca and the Bell Media network of digital sites, and social media presence through Twitter and TSN’s Fan Page on Facebook.
Broadcast Team
The CFL ON TSN returns to the gridiron with its broadcast team delivering every pass, punt and two-point conversion to Canadian football fans each week.
Chris Cuthbert returns as the primary voice of TSN’s CFL coverage alongside long time game analyst Glen Suitor. TSN’s Rod Black and Duane Forde are also back in the broadcast booth providing fans with play-by-play commentary and game analysis.
Brian Williams and TSN Football Insider Dave Naylor bring fans in-depth features and interviews with key newsmakers on the CFL ON TSN. Naylor will also break down the hot button issues impacting the league during his regular appearances on all of TSN’s platforms throughout the season.
Back in studio is the CFL ON TSN panel, with host Randorf, alongside the always informative – and entertaining – analysts Schultz, Hall-of-Famer Dunigan, Climie, and Stegall. Also making appearances in studio this season is former Winnipeg Blue Bombers lineman Doug Brown.
TSN.ca
Canada’s industry-leading sports website has the CFL covered from all angles, as TSN.ca features all the latest news from the league, along with scores and statistics, game analysis and highlights, interviews with players, coaches and executives, and exclusive video. TSN.ca also brings fans every single game on-demand.
Additional CFL highlights on TSN.ca include:
- A 2012 CFL season preview with analysis from TSN’s football experts
- Blogs from Naylor, Schultz, Dunigan and Suitor
- The popular online feature, Schultz Against the World, giving fans a chance to challenge the Big Man’s weekly picks
- The return of TSN Predictor: Canadian Football Edition, which gives fans the chance to win a trip for two to the 100th GREY CUP
- A section where fans can submit their favourite anecdotes and special memories involving the CFL’s championship trophy – all in celebration of the 100th GREY CUP. Fans can email their stories to [email protected]
- Complete coverage of the CFL on the TSN Mobile app for BlackBerry and iPhone and the industry-leading TSN app for iPad
TSN Radio
TSN Radio 1050 is the official radio voice of the Toronto Argonauts and features pre- and post-game shows complementing the station’s live coverage of all games. Mike Hogan handles play-by-play for the Argos games with Sandy Annunziata providing analysis. Hogan also hosts the team’s weekly radio show, ARGOS ALL ACCESS, Monday nights at 7 p.m. ET on TSN Radio 1050.
In Vancouver, Bell Media sports radio station Team 1410 is the flagship station of the B.C. Lions and features pre- and post-game shows along with live game coverage. Rick Ball and Guilio Caravatta handle play-by-play and game analysis duties for all match-ups.
Fans of the Alouettes and Blue Bombers can tune in to TSN Radio in Montreal (AM 990) and Winnipeg (AM 1290) for complete coverage of their teams’ CFL campaign. In Ottawa, CFL fans can tune in to the Team 1200, as the station will feature a “CFL Game of the Week” each week this season. The Team 1200’s coverage begins this weekend on Saturday, June 30 with a live broadcast of Toronto @ Edmonton at 7 p.m. ET.
